 Determine
Carpet Quality
Even though color may be the first consideration, quality
should be a major factor in choosing the right carpet for
your home. Quality plays a big role in the longevity of your
carpet. To determine quality, you should check the carpet's
pile or yarn for texture, depth and density.
Carpet
Pile
"Pile" is the yarn on the top surface of the carpet.
Long-wearing carpet has a closely packed, dense pile attached
firmly to the backing of the carpet. Therefore, carpets which
have a firmer, fuller feel have a greater longevity. A good
way to check the density of the carpet's pile, is to bend
back the corner of the carpet. The more you see the carpets
backing, the less durable your carpet will be and the less
fiber there is to walk on. Different types of piles have different
degrees of durability.
COMMON
CARPET PILE TYPES OR STYLES
   Cut
- The pile loops are cut to expose the ends of the yarn.
There are four basic cut pile styles:
Frieze - A frieze pile is very highly twisted
with a firm, lean feel and appearance. This is a good
choice for areas of high traffic - kids rooms, family
rooms, halls, foyers, and stairways. Other than possibly
a loop pile, a frieze pile does provide the best resistance
to appearance change.
Saxony/Saxony Plush - The tufts are usually
under one inch high, and a better Saxony plush has tightly
twisted yarn tufts that don't flair open. In fact, you
can easily see the tufted ends. Saxony has a larger pile
which tends to give a less formal look to a room. Saxony
Plush is the same as Saxony but with a smaller yarn which
gives a room a very formal look.
Textured Saxony - The durability of a textured
Saxony pile generally falls between that of a Saxony and
a Frieze. This pile has a greater twist than a Saxony
and therefore reduces footprints and vacuum cleaner marks.
Velvet Plush - This is a carpet that shows
shading from vacuuming. Typically, there is little tuft
definition and it has an extremely smooth surface which
looks to many people like velvet. Individual tufts are
tightly packed, creating a very dense pile which is both
rich and soft. It's perfect in living rooms and bedrooms
with moderate to light traffic.
Loop - Instead of cutting the loops, carpet
mills leave the loop uncut with no visible ends, providing
very good resistance to matting and crushing. There are
several looped styles of carpet available:
Level Loop Pile - The loops are of equal
height, making the carpet very durable and resistant to
matting, often used in high traffic areas. Berber is the
most popular residential carpet of this style. It is usually
made of an untwisted yarn which is low in profile and
typically has a multicolored appearance.
Multilevel Loop Pile - Usually has two
to three different loop heights to create pattern effects.
It's looped structure provides good durability.
Cut and Loop - Cut and loop carpets have
both cut and loop piles and usually have a sculptured
pattern which is multicolored.
The
PAR Rating system
The PAR Rating system is an industry scale endorsed by The
Carpet and Rug Institute and measures a carpet's likelihood
to change from its original appearance due to matting. It
is rated on a scale from 1-5, with a high number representing
the least change and therefore higher quality. Generally,
the denser a carpet is tufted, the higher its PAR will be.
Fiber
Fiber is a major component in determining a carpet's durability
There are 5 basic fibers that are used in carpet construction,
each with their strengths and weaknesses.
Nylon: One of the most popular pile fibers
used. It is wear-resistant, resilient, withstands the
weight and movement of furniture, and provides brilliant
color. Ability to resist soil and stains. Generally good
for all traffic areas.
Polyester: Noted for luxurious, soft "hand"
when used in thick, cut pile textures. Has excellent color
clarity and retention. Easily cleaned, and resistant to
water soluble stains.
Polypropylene (Olefin): Strong, resists
wear and permanent stains, and is easily cleaned. Resists
static electricity and is often used in both indoor and
outdoor installations because of its resistance to moisture
and mildew.
Acrylic: Offers the appearance and
feel of wool without the cost. Has low static level and
is moisture and mildew resistant. Commonly used in velvet
and level loop constructions.
Wool: Noted for its luxury and performance,
wool is soft, has high bulk, and is available in many
colors. Generally, wool is somewhat more expensive than
synthetic fibers. And in some cases may aggravate allergies
for some people.
OTHER IMPORTANT FACTORS:
Luster
Carpet made from fiber which has a luster is shiny in appearance,
reflecting a rooms light. Carpet is produced in a variety
of luster's, ranging from bright to dull.
Carpet Pad
A good carpet pad will add years to your carpet and is key
to your comfort under foot. The carpet pad not only creates
a softer walking surface, it also helps absorb noise, prevents
carpet from sliding and insulates cold floors. Different materials
are used to make carpet pad. Foam rubber and Urethane are
the most common - both are durable, non allergenic and mildew
resistant. Foam rubber cushions are often available both in
flat and waffle styles
It is best to choose a pad based on the room's intended use..
The denser the pad, the better the carpet will perform. A
thin, super soft pad is less effective than a fairly firm
one. A firm, dense pad should be used in rooms with heavy
traffic, while a carpet pad with less density can be used
in rooms with lighter traffic.
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Carpet Cleaning 
EcoClean
Carpet Care employs the very low moisture carpet cleaning method
to both residential and commercial clients in our service areas.
Steam cleaning is also available upon request. Both of these cleaning
methods produce amazing results and leave your carpet clean and
dry. The experts at EcoClean Carpet Care will know exactly which
cleaning method is best suited for your particalar cleaning needs.