Olefin Carpet Cleaning Tips
Olefin, also known as polypropylene, is one of the most popular types of fiber used in carpet today. In the United States, it comes in second only behind nylon. Olefin has earned its reputation as a quality home carpet fiber thanks to a number of unique properties, including:
- Colorfastness – Olefin is a synthetic fiber that is solution-dyed, meaning the color becomes a part of each fiber during the manufacturing process. Because of this, olefin carpet is extremely resistant to color change and fading. It can withstand harsh cleaning chemicals, direct sunlight and deep cleaning without losing any of its color.
- Moisture Resistance – Because olefin is an oil-based product, it is extremely resistant to moisture. This property makes it a popular choice for outdoor carpeting as well as pool houses and basements.
- Stain Resistance – In addition to its resistance to fading, olefin carpet is also highly resistant to many types of stains. As long as you quickly clean any messes after they occur, you should keep your olefin carpet stain-free for years to come.
- Affordability – Olefin is one of the most affordable fibers on the market, beating natural fibers like wool as well as many other synthetic fibers like nylon.
While many experts recommend olefin carpet as a quality choice for many different types of rooms, there are certain things you should know before you install the carpet in every room of your home. For example, many types of olefin carpet:
- Crush Easily – Olefin is generally lighter and weaker than fibers like nylon and wool, and crushes easily when used in thick pile carpet or large loops. This weakness can be overcome in part if it is used in a construction like Berber that features tight loops.
- Attract Oil – As an oil-based product, olefin is a magnet for grease and oil stains. Oil tracked from shoes or grease from food can cause hard-to-erase, dark stains on olefin carpet.
- Melt Quickly – Olefin is one of the most susceptible fibers to heat. Olefin carpet melts easily when even a little bit of heat is applied from an iron or even the friction of furniture being dragged the room. Owners of olefin carpet should take care to keep all types of heat away from their carpet.