Professional Carpet Fiber ID

As part of being a professional carpet cleaning technician the first step durinng the inspection process is identifying what type of construction the carpet is made of. Although nylon and olefin (berber) are the most common and in 90% of all US homes knowing which one is critical to determining what process and detergent to use. Nylon needs to be cleaned with a cleaning solution of ph 10 or lower according to the manufacturers. Berber can melt from a hot hose and damage can be caused from dragging furniture. Natural carpets like wool can shrink if too much water is used.

The “burn test” is the best known test for identifying carpet materials. The professional needs a lighter, ash tray and pair of tweezers.

The yarn can be found often laying in corners or be pulled from obscure areas like closets.

Top characteristics to look for during a burn test.

Flame, odor ash

- Flame of nylon and olefin is blue and has an orange tip. Olefin burns super fast.

-Polyester and acrylic sputter a bit when burned and give off black smoke.

-Wool extinguishes itself or goes out immediately

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Professional Carpet Fiber ID

Types Of Carpet Fibers

Types of carpet fibers.

Acrylic- Feels and looks like wool and is actually stronger then wool. The biggest downside is it becomes stiff and hardens over time. Also does not last as long as other types like nylon, olefin. This material dislikes water but loves oil, meaning it will not hold water but easily absorbs oily substances. Acrylic can fuzz easier then other materials and can be difficult to dye. This fiber is washable and is mostly used for area rugs.

Polyester- PET is the short acronym and loves to absorb oily spills but does not hold water and does not need any added blockers to resist water based spills and stains. Currently represents about 10% of the marketplace and is a favorite in apartment complexes for its cost. Poly is very sun resistant and so is popular for sitting rooms that receive a lot of sunlight. It is not very resilient and will show wear from walking on it or traffic patterns. This material is prone by even normal wear and will not spring back like nylon.

carpet fibers

Types Of Carpet Fibers

History of Nylon Carpet Warranties

History of Nylon Carpet Warranties

There have been six generations of nylon carpeting in residential homes. Each time improvements have been made to make nylon more desirable and reduce some of the weaknesses.

5th Generation Nylon added what the mills called an acid dye blocker to “block” stains and make the fibers less receptive to dye based stains like beverages. Acid dye is what is found in foods and some beverages. These type of spills were common in living rooms and with the introduction of acid dye blockers the goal was to make food stains wash out easily.

6th Generation nylon was focused on becoming more crush resistant, meaning after a cleaning a traffic area would spring back.

History of Warranties

After the 5t gen was introduced mills realized a problem had developed. The chemicals most carpet cleaners were using were too strong alkaline for the dye blockers. The carpets were browning, yellowing and becoming less effective in preventing stains, the whole purpose.

The good news was the manufacturers and cleaning trade associations came to an agreement.

- Cleaners agreed not to use solutions stronger then a ph of 10 . This applied to any general cleaning steps including pre conditioning and hot water extraction.

-Cleaners agreed not o use Catonic detergents

-Warranty only applied to residential homeowners and not apartments or commercial buildings

-Warranty was limited to common household food and drinks and not pet accidents, bleach etc.

 

History of Nylon Carpet Warranties www.methodclean.com

The Strengths and Weaknesses of Nylon Carpeting

The Strengths and Weaknesses of Nylon Carpeting

Nylon is the most common carpet fiber found in wall to wall carpet. Over 60% of homes have some nylon or nylon blend.

This material wears great and usually springs back after people walk on it but it also stains easier then some other constructions. To help mills will often dip the carpet in a stain protector to fill in the dye sites and give better protection

Strengths

- long lifetime and very resilient. Yarns usually will spring back with some agitation used during a professional cleaning.

-Holds it heat set crimp which makes it a popular choice for plush in living rooms.

- Less affected by abrasion people walking than any other construction

Weaknesses

-Easily damaged by acids, common household acids like toilet bowl cleaner

-Stains easily, especially susceptible to food and beverage stains like coffee/soda.

-dyes are destroyed by chlorine bleach

After six generations of nylon each one has helped reduce some of the weaknesses and keeping nylon the most popular choice. The latest generations have focused on addition of flurochemicals protectors to make the fiber more resistant to soiling and staining. They also are focused on making fiber smoother o the touch and less water absorption.

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The Strengths and Weaknesses of Nylon Carpeting

Synthetic Carpet Fiber Information

Synthetic Carpet Fiber Information

Synthetic carpets are made from plastic resins that are made in fibers. These fibers are see through and generally stronger then natural carpet materials.

Synthetic carpets start off as plastic chips actually then melted in a machine and forced through a spaghetti like strainer. After this process they are crimped, this is the wrinkle or style you see. Olefin and polyester carpets don’t hold their crimp very well so they often wear very quickly in high traffic environments. Not a great choice for living rooms.

The fibers are then heat set to hold the twist you see, this creates a memory so the carpet springs back after you step on it.

Nylon- Nylon carpet was the first available to give homeowners wall to wall carpet. Previously most homes had hard floors with area rugs over them. Current estimates is 60-70% of homes have a nylon carpet, making it by far the most popular.

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Synthetic Carpet Fiber Information

Learn Different Carpet Fiber Types

Learn about the different carpet fiber types and their characteristics.

Plant based carpet fiber examples

Sisal- sisal comes from the leaves of the sisalana tree native to certain areas of mexico. It can be used in walk off mats, area rugs and wall to wall carpeting. Often you find it in walk off mats at entrances, it is very rough to the touch and shrinks when wet.

Coir- comes from the hair of a coconut and is used in walk off mats and area rugs. It is rough to the touch and expands when wet.

Sea Grass- sea grass comes from ocean grass and is used in walk off, area rugs and wall to wall. It is very slick looking and has a shiny appearance

Abaca- comes from a banana leaf grown in phillipines, its is coarse to the touch

Protein fibers- comes from animals and insects. These materials are sensitive to high alkaline detergents may bleed colors if slightly acidic chemicals are used.

Protein or animal based carpet fiber examples

-Wool comes from fleece of lamb or sheep, the most popular countries producing these are australia and new zealand. Around the world wool is still the most popular fiber but in the united states it makes up less then .5%

Learn Different Carpet Fiber Types

What Is The Backing of Carpet Made From

Materials the backing of carpet is made from.

Carpeting made from natural fibers can be put into 2 categories cellulosic and protein. Cellulosic means it is made from plant based materials and protein equals animal based. This article focuses on cellulosic or plant base materials that some carpet backing is made from.

Some of the elements that make up plant based:

-Can lead to browning or brown discloration

-degrades with high alkaline cleaning solutions

-resistant to mild detergents

- dissolves in strong acids

Plant based fiber sometimes found in the backing of carpet

Cotton- comes from comes from a plant and is usually found in backing of woven carpet. It is rarely ever found on the face side side you see, touch.  cotton is very soft to the touch and increases in strength with water,it stains very easily and brown easily. Other downsides include shrinkage and mildew if too much water is used in cleaning process. This fiber is resistant to alkaline detergents and acid will dissolve it.

Jute-  this fiber is found in the backings of tufted rugs made in US before the eighties. Some common household items might be walk off mats, area rugs and some wall to wall. It is rough to the feel and becomes weak when wet.

Linen- It is extremely rare to find linen in carpet because it doesnt wear well to foot traffic.

What Is The Backing of Carpet Made From

Before Hiring The Carpet Cleaners Buffalo....

Carpet is a part of most homes. This type of flooring is very comfortable and lends an aesthetic appeal to the area. However, these carpets need regular cleaning, which bring about the need for the owner to find a good reputable cleaner they can work with. Here is a carpet cleaning buyers guide for Lancaster NY.

Cleaning carpets is a hard job that requires a lot of motivation and real work. It takes hours. And if you want the job done right, you should invest in a company that is highly reputable, known for their good work. These companies should be experts at what they do.

It is a good idea to start by getting recommendations from others who have had their carpets cleaned in the past. They should be able to recommend a business they trust or tell you of one you should avoid. If you do not have recommendations, be sure to ask for credentials from the company. Do not be afraid to ask for referrals and use them.

Rather than choose a basic cleaning company, make sure you get one that uses deep cleaning techniques. You do not want your carpets merely pumped full of water, but rather thoroughly deep cleaned. Also ask if stain treatments come with the cost of the cleaning, especially if you have stains that you need dealt with.

Ask a lot of questions when you are interviewing the carpet company. Meet the owners face to face if possible, as this will give you a good idea of whether or not you are comfortable working with them. Always get an estimate of the job and read the contract carefully before signing it. That fine print can get you at times.

Investing in a carpet cleaning service is ideal for most people. This is a time consuming job, and most of us have busy lives and jobs that do not give us time for this type of cleaning. However, you can trust that the job will be properly done when you choose a cleaning service carefully.

http://methodclean.com

Before Hiring The Carpet Cleaners Buffalo....

How To Remove Graphite From Carpet

How To Remove Graphite From Carpet

–Don’t delay, waiting may cause a graphite spill to become a permanent stain. Blot liquids with a dry, white absorbent cloth or white paper towels. Gently scrape up semi-solids with a rounded spoon. Break up solids and vacuum.

–Pretest any spot removal cleaner (for color transfer to the cloth or damage to the carpet) in an out of the way  area

–Detergent Solution – Mix one fourth (1/4) teaspoon of a clear liquid dishwashing detergent per one (1) cup of lukewarm water. NEVER USE A STRONGER CONCENTRATION! Thorough rinsing is necessary to remove detergent residues that may cause rapid soiling. It may be necessary to rinse with warm water several times to completely remove residues.

– Apply a small amount of the spot cleaner to a white cloth, and work in gently – do not rub — working from the edges of the graphite spill to the center to prevent spreading. Allow to remain on the spill a few minutes. Be patient. Blot.

How To Remove Graphite From Carpet

–Warm Water – Lukewarm tap water should be used in most cases to rinse the cleaning solutions from the fiber. Failure to completely rinse the solutions from the fiber may cause accelerated soiling.

–When the spill is completely removed, rinse the area with warm water; blot with a dry cloth until all moisture is removed.

 ****  Never use a laundry detergent of any type, because laundry detergents may contain optical brighteners  that dye the carpet. Do not select an automatic dishwashing detergent because many contain bleaching agents that destroy  carpet fibers.

–Many retail spot removal detergents leave residues in the carpet that may attract soil. Thoroughly rinse the area several times with lukewarm tap water. A mist type sprayer is recommended to prevent overwetting. Blot with paper towels and pat dry after each rinse. Several rinses are often necessary to thoroughly remove residues. Never use any of the solutions in concentrations stronger than those recommended.

www.methodclean.com

How To Remove Graphite From Carpet

Grape Juice Removal From Carpet, Quick and Easy

Grape Juice Removal From Carpet, Quick and Easy

Delaying can cause grape juice to become a permanent stain in carpeting. Use a clean white towel to blot any liquids up. Gently remove any solids with a spoon.

Always test any carpet spot remover in an unseen area for color fastness or potential damage to carpet.

Solution mix- use ¼ teaspoon of dish washing detergent and mix with 1 cup of warm water. Rinsing is always necessary to remove any residue which can cause re-soiling in the carpet.

Start with dabbing a small amount of solution on a white clean cloth and gently blot the spill area. Start from outer areas and work towards the middle. DO NOT RUB or SCRUB. Allow solution to sit for a couple minutes before starting.

Warm Water – Lukewarm tap water should be used in most cases to rinse the cleaning solutions from the fiber. Failure to completely rinse the solutions from the fiber may cause accelerated soiling.

After the grape juice is removed rinse with warm water and blot with dry towel or cloth.

Always pat the area dry when completed and never rub. Also place a dry towel over the area and a plastic garbage can on top to apply pressure. Leave for several hours to soak up.

*** Never use laundry detergent on carpet, these products can brighten up the fibers. Never use automatic dishwashing detergent also, most contain bleach which cause permanent damage

Grape Juice Removal From Carpet, Quick and Easy

When using a spot cleaner from a store, always rinse thoroughly with warm water. A spray bottle set at mist setting is always best to avoid over wetting the area. Never use more detergent then directions, too much detergent can cause rapid re-soiling.

Call a Professional – Method carpet & tile cleaning have the ability and the equipment to use more aggressive cleaning solutions to remove stubborn spills. Always consider consulting a professional cleaner regarding any spot removal question.

Grape Juice Removal From Carpet, Quick and Easy

Vacuuming: The Ultimate Carpet Home Care

Vacuuming: The Ultimate Carpet Home Care

Next to the vacuum you use to clean it, your carpet may be the most neglected item in your home and although, there is no law against abusing your carpet, you will still end up paying a hefty fine in the end if you do.

Carpet cleaning may be the simplest household chore you can perform, yet for some reason, people seem to avoid pulling out the vacuum and running it across the carpet except in times of crisis.  In addition to being the simplest chore, cleaning your carpet may also be the most cost saving.  Carpet is very expensive, so why wouldn’t you want to protect your investment by running a vacuum across it once or twice a week?

The Importance of Regular Vacuuming

Vacuuming is the single most important aspect of any carpet cleaning regimen.  Your carpet takes a beating every single day of the week and with each step that someone takes, new deposits of dirt are transferred from the soles of their feet and shoes on to the carpet.  At first, those dirt deposits are at the surface, however, if left alone, they will eventually work their way down into the carpet fibers through carpet sub-structure.  Once deposited into the depth of carpet fibers, those little grains of sand and dirt work like tiny razor blades, cutting away at the strands of carpet fabric each time someone steps on them.

Regular vacuuming helps to prevent dirt and grime form becoming embedded into the carpet fibers and sub-structure, and is by far the easiest and most cost effective carpet cleaning method available.  Also, regular vacuuming keeps you aware of your carpet condition and alerts you of unknown spills and stains that may require immediate professional attention.

Benefits of Regular Vacuuming

The greatest benefit that comes from regular vacuuming is your own peace of mind.  Your carpet is home to your family and pets, and you will sleep better at night knowing your carpet cleaning regimen is helping to provide them a safe and healthy ambiance to live in.  Regular carpet cleaning through vacuuming will also save you a great deal of money by prolonging the life of your carpet, thus resulting in fewer costly carpet replacements.

There is simply no good excuse for not vacuuming your carpet on a regular basis.  Vacuuming once a week would be good enough; twice would be even better, especially in high traffic areas.  It’s your carpet; take care if it and it will take care of you!

http://methodclean.com

 

Vacuuming: The Ultimate Carpet Home Care

Carpet cleaning companies are equipped with the tools....

Attempting to keep a home successfully maintained and cleaned at all times can be quite difficult to concentrate on for various reasons. Many consumers are unable to focus on specific parts of their living space as they require sophisticated pieces of machinery and processes that are unable to be completed by the owner on an individual level. Anyone focused on this particular need should know the fundamentals of successfully generating referrals for carpet cleaners to ensure their houses are successfully maintained.

Carpet cleaning companies are equipped with the tools and guidance needed to ensure that this part of the living space is successfully maintained. Owners decide to utilize this kind of professional when attempting to ensure that accumulated dirt and stains are successfully lifted as needed. Understanding what companies are available can be more difficult to complete than originally anticipated.

Consumers in most communities have plenty of service providers available to them when needed. Many people find that they are unable to concentrate on what is offered to them which can create a challenge in actually finding what is offered to them. Keeping a multitude of factors in mind is quite useful in making a viable decision in the end.

A great referral source that is offered to consumers is the manufacturer of the carpeting in question. Leading creators are known to provide a large listing of professional options for the consumers to actually focus on which can be helpful in feeling assured they are specifically versed in dealing with their surfaces. This is also a great source of consolidation in actually finding all possible options.

http://www.methodclean.com

Carpet cleaning companies are equipped with the tools....

How To Remove Fruit Punch From Carpet - Homeowner News

* First Request a Free Bottle of our Spot Out carpet spot remover.

- Use a clean white towel to blot any excess fruit punch liquids up. Gently remove any solids with a spoon.

-Always test any carpet spot remover in an unseen area for color fastness or potential damage to carpet.

-Solution mix- use ¼ teaspoon of dishwashing detergent and mix with 1 cup of warm water. Rinsing is always necessary to remove any residue which can cause re-soiling in the carpet.

-Start with dabbing a small amount of solution on a white clean cloth and gently blot the fruit punch spill area. Start from outer areas and work towards the middle. DO NOT RUB or SCRUB. Allow solution to sit for a couple minutes before starting.

-Warm Water – Lukewarm tap water should be used in most cases to rinse the cleaning solutions from the fiber. Failure to completely rinse the solutions from the fiber may cause accelerated soiling.

-After the fruit punch spill is removed rinse with warm water and blot with dry towel or cloth.

-Always pat the area dry when completed and never rub. Also place a dry towel over the area and a plastic garbage can on top to apply pressure. Leave for several hours to soak up.

*** Never use laundry detergent on carpet, these products can brighten up the fibers. Never use automatic dishwashing detergent also, most contain bleach which cause permanent damage

-When using a spot cleaner from a store, always rinse thoroughly with warm water. A spray bottle set at mist setting is always best to avoid over wetting the area. Never use more detergent then directions, too much detergent can cause rapid re-soiling.

http://www.methodclean.com

How To Remove Fruit Punch From Carpet - Homeowner News

Area Rug Cleaning News

The overall look and feel of a living space can be greatly enhanced by giving it that special touch through the addition of just the right floor coverings. Unfortunately, over time, exposure to such influences like the sunshine, pets, stains and foot traffic can take a toll on their appearance. That is why it is important to know the proper techniques for area rug cleaning.

These useful accessories come in a vast range of styles and values from expensive heirlooms and unique creations to mass produced patterned copies and mud catchers. Each type requires a special approach to keeping it clean and in top condition. Not following the correct instructions could end up damaging the rugs or fading them prematurely.

Deep cleaning requires the use of proper solutions and the right utensils for the specific materials and make up of each covering. Special attention should be paid to areas that are heavily soiled or stained. Regular maintenance is an important step in protecting one’s investment and getting the most out of one of the most important pieces in any room.

Though it is recommended that such coverings, regardless of their materials, be professionally cleaned at least once a year, there are things that should be done in the interim to prolong their life. The most important step is to know what the piece is made of so that the wrong solutions are not accidentally applied. This will also make a difference in the utensils that will be required.

http://methodclean.com 

Area Rug Cleaning News

Clean Up Cologne Out Of Carpet... Quickly

First request a FREE bottle of spot out carpet spot remover from our website. No obligation

Don’t delay, waiting may cause the cologne spill to become a permanent stain. Blot liquids with a dry, white absorbent cloth or white paper towels. Gently scrape up semi-solids with a rounded spoon. Break up solids and vacuum.

 Pretest any spot removal cleaner (for color transfer to the cloth or damage to the carpet) in an out of the way  area

Detergent Solution – Mix one fourth (1/4) teaspoon of a clear liquid dishwashing detergent per one (1) cup of lukewarm water. NEVER USE A STRONGER CONCENTRATION! Thorough rinsing is necessary to remove detergent residues that may cause rapid soiling. It may be necessary to rinse with warm water several times to completely remove residues.

 Apply a small amount of the spot cleaner to a white cloth, and work in gently – do not rub — working from the edges of the spill to the center to prevent spreading. Allow to remain on the spill a few minutes. Be patient. Blot.

Warm Water – Lukewarm tap water should be used in most cases to rinse the cleaning solutions from the fiber. Failure to completely rinse the solutions from the fiber may cause accelerated soiling.

When the spill is completely removed, rinse the area with warm water; blot with a dry cloth until all moisture is removed.

 ****  Never use a laundry detergent of any type, because laundry detergents may contain optical brighteners  that dye the carpet. Do not select an automatic dishwashing detergent because many contain bleaching agents that destroy  carpet fibers.

*****Many retail spot removal detergents leave residues in the carpet that may attract soil. Thoroughly rinse the area several times with lukewarm tap water. A mist type sprayer is recommended to prevent overwetting. Blot with paper towels and pat dry after each rinse. Several rinses are often necessary to thoroughly remove residues. Never use any of the solutions in concentrations stronger than those recommended.

http://www.methodclean.com

Clean Up Cologne Out Of Carpet... Quickly