How antimicrobial carpets can reduce infection risks

Understandably, infection control is a major concern at the present time. In the home, micro-organisms like fungi, bacteria, algae and yeast are caused by a combination of warmth, moisture and food spills.

Carpets can easily be contaminated by spills, which can penetrate deep into the carpet where they breed micro-organisations. This may result in health problems, including toxic responses, allergies and infection. Dirty carpets also attract mites which can be dangerous to allergy sufferers.

To combat micro-organisms and bugs, regular carpet cleaning is required. Carpets with antimicrobial yarn treatment trap spills on the surface, where they can easily be cleaned up. They kill over 99.99% of bacteria and bugs and remain effective after carpets are cleaned with a carpet cleaning machine. Treated carpets also reduce the unpleasant odours caused by fungi, bacteria and yeast.

Some treatments available, such as BI-OME, make carpets stain and soil resistance and have sound absorption properties.

In areas used by many people, such as classrooms, student accommodation and care homes, bacteria can spread quickly so it is important to have floors free from micro-organisms. Any area where food is prepared or eaten by a number of people should consider antimicrobial treated carpets or alternative floor coverings.

Home and businesses with carpets in the Chester, Wrexham and North Wales areas should vacuum their carpets frequently and deep clean them regularly. Any food spilt should be cleaned up promptly. Common household bugs are a health threat, but well cared for carpets are not harmful to health.

Man has DIY disaster when he tries to dye his carpet

A man who tried to change his carpet colour with dye pods now needs to buy a new carpet, when his budget DIY attempts went awry.

The hapless homeowner, who wants to remain anonymous, had a beige carpet and thought that he would renovate it on a budget by dyeing it. He mistakenly thought that dye pods used to dye clothes and soft furnishings in washing machines would do the job easily. He tested the process on a small corner of the carpet which appeared to be successful, but when he started applying the dye to the rest of carpet, it did not colour evenly and the patches looked ugly.

Seeing the funny side, he posted a message and image of his ruined carpet in a Facebook group:

"Tried the Dylon dye [on] one a small part of carpet. Thought to myself that looks alright, so I did half my living room! Looks like I will be needing a new carpet lol."

It is possible to dye carpets yourself, but as this man found out, things can go drastically wrong. For those who want to change the colour of a carpet or restore its original colour, it is best to use professional carpet dyers. They can also treat patterned carpets to make the colours look more vibrant.

Good quality carpets will last a long time, but if you tire of the colour, be sure to leave dying it to the experts!

Carpet tiles - maximum performance, minimal environmental impact

Many interior designers and businesses are demanding flooring that has good performance, together with environmental credentials.

It is estimated that 60% of commercial carpet sales are for carpet tiles. This is because tiles look good, are easy to clean and replace, and last a long time.

Businesses are also concerned about purchasing materials that are kind to the environment though, and manufacturers are taking notice of these requirements. Some carpet tiles are now 100% recyclable at the end of their life, and tile backing can be made from recycled plastic drinking bottles.

Another way to help the environment is to choose carpet tiles that have insulation properties. This can reduce the amount of energy needed to heat an area.

Carpet tiles can also contribute to a healthier environment, as they can help conform to indoor air-quality standards. Carpet tiles that contain little or no volatile organic compounds (VOC) make rooms safe and healthy to work in and should not affect allergy sufferers.

Many commercial users of carpet tiles are looking beyond the local environmental impact of carpet tiles in their properties. They prefer manufacturers of carpet tiles that have introduced sustainable manufacturing processes and low carbon energy policies in their factories, as these benefit the environment by reducing their carbon footprint.

The ideal carpet tile is durable with acoustic and thermal properties. It has no VOCs and is certified to be environmentally friendly. Increasingly, carpet tile manufacturers are making tiles to fulfil these requirements.

How long should carpet last?

While there is no definitive answer to the question of how long a carpet should last, the quality of the carpet and where it is used are among the factors that can make a significant difference.

A carpet in a spare bedroom that is rarely used will last much longer than one in a commercial building with a high footfall. The cheapest carpet you can buy will wear out much more quickly than a premium quality carpet, meaning paying as little as possible may be a false economy.

How often should you replace your carpet?

Though you cannot predict when a carpet needs replacing, there are signs that it is time to replace it. A modern carpet should last between five and fifteen years, but how long a carpet actually lasts depends on the quality of its construction and the level of foot traffic.

If there are threadbare areas or immovable stains, then it is time to replace your carpet. Strong odours that remain after deep cleaning may also be a sign that it’s time for a new one.

If the carpet pile stood up when new and is now flat, this indicates that the carpet is wearing out. A carpet may look a lighter shade in some areas than others. A faded carpet may not necessarily need replacing, but if aesthetics are important, it is a good idea to change it.

How long does a carpet last in a buy-to-let?

Some landlords do not install carpets in buy-to-let property because they prefer solid flooring like laminates and vinyl, which are easy to clean and less prone to staining. This may be a good idea for multi-occupancy property for young people who have parties or invite their friends over regularly. Carpet in these properties gets lots of use and if wine, coffee and other split liquids are not cleaned up promptly, the carpet can soon look stained.

For the more luxury end of the buy-to-let property market, tenants expect good-quality furniture and fittings. It is appropriate for these properties to have good quality carpets, perhaps even wool ones. Provided that the tenants regularly clean the carpets and look after them, the carpets should last a long time.

If a carpet is a little worn, some landlords like to replace them when tenants change. If the carpet is not replaced, it probably needs a thorough clean before a new tenant arrives.

How often should a carpet be cleaned?

Cleaning helps to prolong the life of a carpet. Regular vacuuming, at least once a week or more will keep the carpet free of loose dirt and dust, but dirt can get embedded at the bottom of the pile. To remove ingrained dirt, the carpet should be professionally cleaned. You could hire a carpet cleaning machine and do it yourself, but this may not be as thorough a job as a professional using an industrial-grade carpet cleaner.

Professional carpet cleaning should be carried out at least once a year, but every six months for a heavily used carpet. A deep cleaning may be required more frequently for carpets in commercial premises. Some carpet warranties will specify that the carpets must be cleaned regularly, otherwise the warranty is void.

What about carpet warranties?

Many manufacturers will provide a warranty for a carpet. If, for example, the warranty is for 10 years, expect your carpet to last at least that long, but it should last a little longer. A manufacturer will only provide a warranty if they are sure that the carpet will last the warranty length as they don’t want their carpets to wear out before that time, as this will cost them considerably in settling warranty claims.

Not all warranties are the same, and some exclude common issues. A basic warranty will cover the construction of the carpet and guarantee that it will not fall apart within the warranty period. If the warranty covers this basic criterion, it may not cover texture retention or appearance. A pile that stands tall when the carpet is new may look flat after a while. Carpet fibres are twisted together and can untwist over time, making the carpet appear fuzzy or flat. A texture retention warranty means that the carpet is a high-quality one where the pile will remain fixed.

Most warranties do not include cover for stains such as coffee and wine. If the carpet is not cleaned regularly, dirt can get embedded in the carpet and it will look soiled. Carpets coated with stain-resistant treatments may have a guarantee that covers stains, but there could be exclusions for certain substances.

Carpets that are in direct sunlight a lot of the time may fade after a while. Some carpets are fade-resistant and the warranty will cover this, but cheaper carpets will not have this cover.

What type of carpet is likely to last the longest?

There are several factors that affect the durability of a carpet. Firstly, the fibre, with nylon or wool lasting longest. Then there is the weight and density of fibres. By and large, dense fibre heavyweight carpets will last longer.

The carpet fibres are twisted on most good carpet. Look for a carpet with a twist level of seven twists per inch or more.

There is no difference between how long a light-coloured carpet lasts compared to a dark one, but of course stains show up more on light colours. A pattern carpet may camouflage stains.

If a carpet doesn't look dirty, there may be a temptation not to clean it as often as a light coloured one. Remember, whether you have a light or dark colour carpet, both need to be cleaned regularly if you want the maximum lifespan for the carpet, and ensure good hygiene in the home.

Is it better to buy an expensive carpet for its durability?

Realistically, you want a carpet to last at least 15 years, rather than a very cheap one that needs replacing after a year or two. Buy the best quality within your budget. Choose one that looks good and feels soft to walk on, and preferably a carpet that has a long guarantee. As long as the carpet is regularly kept clean and all spills promptly mopped up, expect a good grade carpet should last many years.

European carpet market forecast to grow by nearly 5%

The “Global Carpet Market” report from Esticast, has predicted that the compound annual growth rate for the European carpet market will be 4.8% by 2026. The European carpet market will then be worth about €59.57bn (£49.54bn).

There are many types of flooring competing with carpets, including vinyl, laminates and wood, but plenty of homes and businesses prefer traditional carpets or carpet tiles. The Esticast report acknowledges that carpets are popular because of their noise-insulating properties as well as how they look. Carpets also help conserve heat to keep rooms warmer.

The rise in demand for carpets is due to rising expenditure on home improvements, as well as industrial growth. The report predicts that there will be substantial demand for eco-friendly carpets made with natural materials and without polluting chemicals.

Thanks to these qualities, many home and business owners prefer the look and feel of carpets in their Chester, North Wales and Wrexham rooms. Premium grade wool carpets are popular for those who want to add a touch of luxury to a room. Another advantage of carpets is that they are available in a wide variety of colours and patterns to suit all room decor styles, and if carpet tiles are chosen, there is less waste, and the entire carpet does not need to be replaced if one area becomes worn or stained.

Hard flooring may be chosen for its practicality, but for walking barefoot in the home, people generally prefer a soft and warm carpet.