Carpet Fibers - Know what to expect
All fibers have natural characteristics that you should be aware of before you make your final selection. Here are the fiber facts you need to know before you begin shopping.
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Nylon - Most widely used fiber due to its durability, resilience and abrasion resistance. However, it can fade with strong exposure to sunlight and is not naturally stain resistant. Most nylons are treated with a topical stain treatment to help resist stains, but it will eventually wear off. Brand name fibers such as Anso, Wear-Dated and Dupont also have added soil protection, which helps them resist common dry dirt that is associated with carpet soiling.
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Olefin - Very stain and fade resistant. May be the best choice if you are dealing with pet urine or allergies, or if fading or color loss are likely. A strong disadvantage of this yarn is that it is the least resilient fiber, meaning the pile will pack down quicker and pathways will show sooner. It is best if used in a loop construction. Also has an affinity for oily soils, so it has to be cleaned more frequently.
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Polyester - Built in, permanent stain resistance and superior fade resistance over nylon. Comes in vibrant colors and has a soft feel. However, it is not as resilient as nylon, and is the most oil absorbent fiber. This means it might be difficult to clean and soiling may be a problem unless it is treated with Scotchgard or a similar treatment for soil protection.
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Wool - Soft to the touch, luxurious, and great resiliency, it is the only fiber that "ages gracefully." Wool naturally has low absorption, so most spills will stay on top for easy cleanup.
