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the link below for Guidelines for Stain and Spot Removal from carpet and rugs CARPET FIBER TYPES The following information is meant to help you understand the differences between carpet fibers and how it affects performance and cleaning. Wool : Wool is a protein fiber, primarily from sheep raised in Australia or New Zealand, composed of three parts: the epidermis (outer skin), the cortex, and the medulla (hollow core). Wool is naturally opaque which gives it excellent soil hiding capabilities. It is estimated that a wool carpet can hold up to 1 pound of dirt per square foot before it looks dirty.Wool is easily contact dyed, so certain liquids ( Kool-Aid, fruit juices, animal urine) will easily stain wool. Bleach will totally dissolve wool. If poorly trained technicians or improper detergents are used to clean wool, it will degrade and breakdown. Advantages: nice feel("hand"), dyes easily, longevity, elasticity, resilience, flame resistant cleans easily. Disadvantages: cost, stains easily, (especially animal urine), dissolves in bleach, "shading" tendency. Nylon : Nylon is a synthetics fiber first produced by DuPont in1939. Nylon is strong, resilient, and abrasion resistant. As a general statement, nylon dyes easily, so therefore stains easily. Nylon will also fade from exposure to sunlight. There have been many changes in nylon since it was first introduced (we call these changes "generations"). It responds well to cleaning. Compression marks from furniture will generally respond (bounce back) to "steam" cleaning. Advantages: resilient, abrasion resistant, dyes easily. Disadvantages: fading, staining, (stain resistant, not stain proof), affected by bleach. Polyester : Polyester is a synthetic fiber that is extremely colorfast. It is easily cleaned, and is resistant to most dyes, including Kool-Aid and red wine. It is also resistant to sun fading and discoloration form animal urine. It is "oleophilic" which means it likes oils (driveway sealer, cooking oils). If not cleaned regularly, these oils will actually "bond" to the fiber, making removal of the discoloration almost impossible. It is less resilient than nylon, does not hold it's "crimp" as well, so traffic areas tend to change appearance and look "worn". Advantages: colorfast, stain resistant, fade resistant. Disadvantages : wears easily in traffic areas, oils bond to fibers causing discoloration. Olefin: Olefin is also a synthetic fiber, extremely colorfast since it is "solution" dyed ( the color is added while it is still a liquid, before the fiber is made). Olefin is extremely lightweight: it is the only fiber that is lighter than water, so it floats in water. It does not absorb moisture, so it is extremely difficult to stain. It is resistant to sun fading and fume fading. It is "oleophic" (likes oils), so driveway sealers and cooking oils will "bond" to the fiber causing discoloration. It has poor resilience tendencies, and will not return to original configuration when crushed by traffic or furniture. Narrow hallways and stairs are especially noticeable areas of compression. Advantages: Inexpensive, extremely stain resistant, colorfast, liquids spills clean up easily. Disadvantages: compresses easily, lacks resilience, oils bond to fibers causing discoloration.
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