• Fiber is carpet's basic ingredient. The four basic fibers used in carpets today all have individual characteristics, but each fiber makes excellent carpet. Although blended fibers are available in carpet, most are comprised of one of the following types of fiber:
• Nylon: Nylon is the most common carpet fiber. It is strong, durable, and resilient. Nylon naturally resists matting and wear, which virutally eliminates worn carpet paths in even the highest traffic areas of your home. Nylon carpet fiber is both soft and strong, and it cleans well. Nylon fibers are treated with a stain-resist carpet treatment for protection against spills and stains.
• Polypropylene: (also known asOlefin): Polypropylene use in carpet has grown because of the popularity of Berber style loop carpets. Polypropylene is colorfast because it is solution dyed, meaning it is resistant to stains, fading, and moisture. You can even clean polypropylene with bleach!
• Polyester: Polyester fibers are soft, so it is the perfect solution for thick, cut pile styles. These fibers are naturally stain and fade resistant. Polyester has excellent color clarity, color retention, strength, and abrasion resistance. Polyester is also easily cleaned and resists water soluble stains well.
• Wool: Wool fibers feel soft and warm, but wool has no natural resistance to moisture or abrasion. Wool is the most expensive carpet fiber and is generally used only in luxury carpets and area rugs. It is easily cleaned and tends to age well.