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Olefin, also known as polypropylene, is another fiber making some headway in the residential carpet marketplace. While nylon remains the favorite fiber choice for performance, olefin actually owns about 80% of the commercial carpet market! The reason? Cost. With around a 20% lower price tag than a similarly constructed nylon, olefin carpet is now getting some hard looks for use in residential applications. Typical styles for residential olefin carpet are berbers, which means multiple color (more than 2), multi-level loop construction. Interestingly, the “berber” name derives from an ancient North African people famous for their characteristic woven fabrics.

Besides price, olefin carpets have other benefits as well. They are extremely colorfast even when subjected to direct sunlight or even chlorine bleach! This is because color is introduced into the material while it is still in a liquid state (solution dyed), prior to extrusion into fiber. Other characteristics like static and mold-resistance, make olefin carpet a valid contender for screened-in patios, basements and even recreation rooms.

Still, olefin carpets do have some challenges—of which you need to be aware. They are significantly prone to oil-based stains, which can become permanent. The fiber also has a low melting point, which means that friction from something heavy being dragged across the carpet can actually melt the fiber, causing permanent “gouges” in its face. Finally, olefin fiber is extremely subject to crushing and matting, especially in areas where you experience high traffic.

Easter is just around the corner! Who doesn’t love to dye Easter eggs? Who is terrified of the mess if some of the dye spills on your carpet? If you love to dye Easter eggs, but hate the worry of wondering what to do if you spill the dye on the carpet, stop worrying! Below are simple and easy steps to follow if you have a spill with Easter egg dye. You always want to treat spills as soon as possible and follow the instructions closely.

Detergent Solution – Mix one fourth (1/4) teaspoon of a 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. Care should be used in selecting a detergent. Never use a laundry detergent of any type, because laundry detergents may contain optical brighteners (flourescent dyes) that dye the fiber. Do not select an automatic dishwashing detergent because many contain bleaching agents that destroy dyes and some fibers.

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.

Ammonia Solution – Mix one (1) tablespoon of household ammonia per cup of water. Please note: Be aware that ammonia, if used improperly, can cause a color change. Be sure to test a hidden area.

Not sure? Call a Professional – Professional cleaners 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. Carpet and Rug Institute – 1-800-882-8846.

One of the goals of this blog is to help educate you on topics ranging from design ideas for new projects to how to care for and maintain the products you already have. We feel it’s important to educate you on how to maintain your floors properly because we know they are an investment that you want to keep. Floors take a lot of abuse, but like anything else, if you treat them well they will return the favor by staying in good shape for as long as possible.

A few things to keep in mind before we talk specifics about cleaning:

• Always have walk off mats at every entrance to your home. These are important because they can aide in trapping dirt from shoes before it can enter your home and scratch the floors.
• Check your furniture feet to ensure they have feet protectors on the bottom. These will prevent the chair bottoms from scratching and denting your floors when people slide their chairs out to stand up.
• Remove any spills as quickly as possible. The longer a spill sits, the more risk you run of damage or permanent staining.

Ok, now let’s talk specifics!

First are foremost, you should always try to use a manufacture approved floor cleaner. (and follow the directions) Why, you ask?

• Manufacturers have spent countless hours designing cleaners that are most effective for their product. They know how it was made and what ingredients are most effective in caring for their product.
• Side note: You want to follow the directions because we are Americans….. meaning that we generally think that more is better. Many floor cleaners only require minimal amounts of product to achieve optimal results. Too much of a good thing can actually cause more harm than good.
• Some warranties can be voided if the proper cleaner is not used.  It would be a shame to ruin your floors over a bottle of the wrong cleaner. It happens, believe us!
• Using multiple cleaners on the same product (particularly hard surfaces) can leave a film that can permanently damage the floors.

How to tackle each type of flooring product: Click on the category below for more information:

Carpet

Hardwood

Tile

Vinyl

Laminate

Stone

Area Rugs

If you have specific stain concerns, please leave us a comment and we will publish the proper way to remove the stain and share with others in case they have the same concern!