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Carpet Styles
Shading and Pile Reversal
During use, the appearance of cut pile carpets can change due to the pile changing direction and reflection of light from the pile surface resulting in the creation of light and dark patches on the carpet.
This occurs on all pile fabrics but it's more noticeable on plain carpets because the shadows created by pile pressure aren't disguised by a pattern or design.
It can happen with every kind of carpet, whether it's Axminster, Wilton, Tufted, Handwoven, or even Oriental, Persian and Indian rugs.
Flattening
It's unavoidable that carpet is prone to flattening in some way - well, it does spend all its life on your floor after all! What with all those footsteps and heavy furniture squashing the pile, regular vacuuming will do wonders for your carpets good looks. 'Castor cups' will help prevent this, but it's also a good idea to occasionally move the position of your furniture a little, so that all that weight isn't concentrated on just the one spot all the time.
Hint: if you have a bit of carpet that's been squashed flat, a coin makes an ideal 'pile rejuvenator' - simply rub the pile back to life with the coin's edge!
Carpet Cleaning tips
- Spillages are more easily removed if tackled immediately, so act promptly and blot off all the liquid stain with dry kitchen roll or a clean dry white cloth.
Semi solid substances should be removed with a plastic spatula. - For stain removal, don't rub the pile surface of your carpet or over soak the stain.
- To clean off any remaining carpet stain use a clean damp cloth soaked in warm water to blot the stain. Use a dabbing action with the cloth and then blot out the remaining liquid with dry kitchen towel.
- Always work from the outside of the stain inwards to minimise the stain spreading.
However, if your carpet does end up with a stain that you just can't seem to get rid of, then it's best to get expert stain removal advice and help regarding the specific substance responsible.
For effective carpet cleaning, follow these general rules below for dealing with spillages. For more persistent stains and difficult to deal with carpet stain removal contact a professional carpet cleaner.
Maintenance
The key to good carpet maintenance is to avoid particles of loose dirt and dust from working their way into the carpet pile where they will act abrasively on the fibres and sometimes discolour the carpet.
- Vacuum your new carpet regularly at least two or three times a week.
- Loop pile carpets should be vacuumed with a cylinder cleaner using the suction head only.
- Cut pile carpets should be vacuumed with an upright cleaner with beater bar and brush.
- A large, strong doormat will reduce dirt from outside being spread around the house.
- Avoid where possible laying light coloured carpets next to external entrances.
Pilling
Sometimes, with loop pile carpets, small balls of fibre can collect on the surface of the pile, which is called 'pilling' - much the same as what happens to our woolly jumpers! Pilling can be dealt with effectively by just snipping the bobbles off with scissors.
Shedding
Most carpets made with spun yarn lose some short, excess fibres when they're first fitted. This 'shedding' is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about, and definitely not a sign of a faulty or defective carpet. After vacuuming several times, the shedding stops completely.
Fading
Protection should be given to carpets exposed to direct sunlight just as you would protect other furnishings. Fading on carpets (particularly wool) is caused by the exposure to ultraviolet light but is accelerated when the sunlight shines directly onto the carpet. This has the effect of lightening or bleaching the colour just as the exposure to sunlight will lighten human hair.