Acrylic Carpet Cleaning Tips
Acrylic carpet was developed by DuPont in the middle of the 20th century as an alternative to wool. Throughout the 1960s, acrylic carpet skyrocketed in popularity thanks to its low price and quick-drying capabilities.
Its popularity began to wane, however, when consumers discovered that acrylic carpet did not hold up well at all in high-traffic areas. DuPont, the largest manufacturer of acrylic carpet, ceased manufacturing it in 1991; and today, there are very few manufacturers still producing acrylic carpeting.
Acrylic carpeting’s unique properties still make it a good choice for certain low-traffic environments, however. For example, some people choose to install it in bathrooms, since it wicks away moisture easily. Many others choose to install it as a low-cost option in seldom-used rooms like guest bedrooms. Today, acrylic rugs are much more popular than acrylic carpeting since it is inexpensive, relatively hassle-free and easy to replace.
If you choose to purchase acrylic carpet for your home, or you live in an older house that already has acrylic carpeting, it is important that you read the following tips for cleaning your acrylic carpet. This carpet, especially when it is installed in high traffic areas, requires extra care.
- Nothing destroys carpet faster than dirt that gets trapped in its fibers. Because acrylic breaks down easily after use, acrylic carpeting requires more frequent vacuuming than most other types of flooring options.
- Acrylic is a man-made material that does not respond well to heat. While you would use a warm iron to smooth carpet dents made by furniture, acrylic carpeting would melt if it came in contact with an iron. Instead, smooth small dents and wrinkles in acrylic carpet with a brush and use a hairdryer for larger dents caused by furniture.
- Because acrylic carpeting dries so quickly, deep cleaning is a perfect choice for this type of flooring. Buy or rent a deep cleaner and make sure you use a quality machine cleaning formula. Although acrylic carpet dries quickly, it is important to give it enough time to dry completely before using it again. To help speed the drying process, open windows and set up fans.
- Even though acrylic is susceptible to wear, most acrylic rugs can be cleaned in the washing machine without suffering damage.