About Easy Care Carpet
Some days it feels like your life is a series of unfortunate events and you're convinced there's a hidden camera capturing all of it. It starts with a puddle of orange juice in the family room and is quickly followed up with spilled coffee, an overturned bowl of fruit, and a muddy set of paw prints streaking down the hall. You're convinced there's zero chance you'll find an easy-to-clean carpet that can handle the level of mess your home routinely sees.
In this case, we're happy to say that you're wrong! Thanks to the genius of modern technology, you've got several beautiful choices that also happen to be durable, easy care carpet.
What Are Easy-to-Clean Carpet Materials?
A key factor in determining whether a carpet is truly simple to maintain is the fiber's moisture resistance. If it repels liquid rather than absorbing it, you'll experience little to no staining and have no mold or mildew to contend with. This is a huge benefit for everyone, particularly those with a household that includes four-legged friends, active children, or messy hobbies.
Now you're probably wondering which fibers are impressively moisture resistant? The three most common ones are:
- Nylon - This synthetic material is a modern-day carpet fiber powerhouse. Not only is it incredibly durable but it also boasts stain- and fade-resistant treatments that ensure your carpet is protected, even on your family's messiest days.
- Wool - It probably doesn't surprise you to hear that this natural fiber repels water and dirt and cleans like a champ. This comfy and resilient carpeting option also bounces back, so no worrying about vacuuming away your children's footprints before your neighbors show up for wine night.
- Polyester - This synthetic material is similar to nylon, though slightly less durable. Its hydrophobic properties mean that it resists water and water's smelly sidekicks: mold and mildew. This is a big win for places where your kids often spill or your dog has an occasional accident.
Appearance
Since easy care carpets are available in a variety of carpet styles and fiber materials, you've got a broad range of colors and patterns from which to choose! Are you shopping for new carpeting to install in the kids' bedrooms of your chic modern farmhouse? A synthetic polyester or nylon in a crisp, neutral hue will hold up to the little feet pattering in and out. Are you looking for luxurious yet easy-to-clean carpet for your sun-filled family room's long-awaited upgrade? Cozy wool carpets resist fading and give you peace of mind and low-effort care for years to come.
Are Easy Care Carpets Durable?
Durability is largely based on how resilient the carpet fibers are, coupled with how the carpet itself is constructed. When it comes to easy-to-clean carpet, they're usually made of wool, nylon, or polyester—all of which are notably durable.
If you're carpeting areas that are constantly seeing a lot of foot traffic, like living rooms and hallways, your best bets are wool and nylon. For the basement, family room, and other spaces where you know spilled drinks, wet shoes, or pet accidents are inevitable, consider polyester or wool, both of which can resist water and stains.
Installation and Lifespan
Though it might be tempting, resist the urge to save a few bucks with a DIY installation. Professional installers have all the tools necessary, plus the experience required to tackle the tedious project quickly and efficiently. Your local Flooring America expert can also help you decide if your installation locations would benefit from moisture-proof or pet-proof carpet padding.
Though you can typically expect many years of comfort from all types of easy care carpets, it's worth noting that hearty wool carpets generally last longer than those made of synthetic materials like polyester and nylon.
Other variables that help determine the longevity of your home's new carpet include:
- A proper installation
- Choosing the highest quality materials your budget will allow
- Following the manufacturer's instructions outlining routine maintenance and spot cleaning
Maintenance
When we're talking about easy care carpet, you can bet the maintenance needs are minimal. In fact, the effort it takes is so low, weekly vacuuming could be the perfect chore for teaching your school-age children household responsibilities—plus, it's one less task on your to-do list!
Along with running the sweeper regularly, make sure to properly clean any spills or accidents that may occur by following the manufacturer's instructions. Though easy-to-clean carpet is usually stain resistant, quickly tackling unexpected messes will help ensure a long lifespan for your new floors.
Frequently Asked Questions About Easy Care Carpet
- What is the best type of carpet to clean? Carpet fibers like nylon that are stain resistant and durable are usually the easiest to clean, meaning less worry for you when spills occur at snack time. Plus, routine maintenance is fairly low-effort, needing weekly vacuuming and spot cleaning as necessary according to the care instructions.
- What color carpet is easiest to keep clean? Various shades of dark brown do a great job of concealing dirt, debris, and pet hair, making these hues appear cleaner than they really are. That said, vacuuming regularly is key to long-lasting, easy care carpet.
- Which carpet is easiest to clean? Some carpets, such as wool and nylon, resist liquid and stains, making it that much easier to clean up. If a drink overturns or a muddy mess makes its way indoors, you can follow the guidance provided by the manufacturer for easy cleanup.
- Is wool carpet easy to clean? Yes, in fact, wool carpet is surprisingly easy to clean! Simply vacuum regularly and tackle unexpected spots exactly as your new carpet's care instructions say to keep your wool carpet in pristine condition for years to come.
- What is the most durable type of carpet? Carpet made of synthetic nylon fibers is the most durable option you'll likely find. Thanks to its impressive durability, nylon carpet can stand up to the busiest households while also repelling stains and odors when your pup has an accident.
