Saudi Arabian carpets signal when time to be washed

The 12,000 carpets at the Prophet’s Mosque in Saudi Arabia have technology in place that alerts staff when it is time for them to be washed.

The Prophet’s Mosque in Saudi Arabia has 12,000 carpets that cover an area of 98,000 square metres. The administration of the mosque is faced with the challenge of keeping all of those carpets clean. The solution is radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. An RFID tag in each carpet sends out information to a central data gathering system. The data transmitted includes when the carpet was manufactured, how often it is used, its location and when a wash is required. As well as automating the cleaning schedule, the system alerts the mosque management when the carpet is old and may need replacing.

The mosque carpets are made from a mixture of acrylic and soft wool. The Prophet's Mosque is visited by millions of people each year, so the carpets need to be durable. Homes and commercial premises here in the UK that see considerably fewer people entering them can also enjoy the benefits of soft wool and acrylic mixture carpets, which are very durable.

High-quality carpets in Chester and North Wales properties last a long time, provided they are cleaned regularly and taken care of. This means frequent vacuuming and a deep-pile wash at least once a year. In homes or offices with a few carpets, it is easy to schedule in cleaning times when needed.

Three carpet design trends for 2022

The design team at Modieus have predicted three interior design trends for 2022 that will influence carpet designs.

1. Boho Folk

Boho Folk is a nostalgic style that goes back in time to the 1970s with block patterns, geometrics and lines. This style features circles and arches with earthy shades of brown combined with neutral colours.

2. Urban Street

The Urban Street style is inspired by street art from the 1990s. Patterns clash with eroded-style textures. Designs similar to 1990s tie-dye shirts are also part of the Urban Street style.

3. Smart Future

Boho Folk and Urban Street styles draw inspiration from the past. Smart Future, as its name suggests, looks to the future. Speaking to Hotel Designs, designer Leah Manwaring from Modieus said:

“The design of the future is multi-functional and in harmony with the end-user.”

The Smart Future style is used in multi-function spaces. An example of this is a bar space area designed by Manwaring that changes into a pop-up cinema during a film festival. Her design adapts to both activities. Smart Future style features bold and fluorescent colours.

Boho Folk, Urban Street and Smart Future are all trends that feature bold designs and striking patterns. The styles may be regarded by some as too bold for carpets in Chester and North Wales homes. These styles are perhaps more suitable for hospitality venues and other commercial buildings that appeal to clients who embrace the unconventional and like interior designs that make bold statements.

Expert recommends wool carpets with underfloor heating

A carpet expert advises consumers who use underfloor heating that wool carpets work well with this type of heating.

Carpets are popular across Chester and North Wales, but homeowners often ask whether they can be used with underfloor heating. Jon Flannigan, product manager of Kersaint Cobb carpet manufacturers, recommends wool carpets. He says:

“Sustainable, hard-wearing, and super-soft, this material is likely to be near the top of your carpet wish list.“

Wool has natural insulating properties, which means that underfloor heating may take a little longer to heat up but, once hot, wool retains heat in the room for longer to increase energy efficiency. Wool carpets are suitable for use over electric or water underfloor heating systems.

If the budget does not stretch to wool carpets, wool blends, nylon and propylene carpets are fine, as long as they have jute or hessian backing, Felt and rubber backings and underlays absorb heat, preventing the radiant heat from warming the whole room evenly. Flannigan says that consumers should avoid heavy or thick yarn carpets as they prevent the spread of radiant heat from underfloor heating.

Wool carpets in Wrexham, Chester and North Wales homes are popular as they add luxury to interiors. Wool is a naturally sustainable material. Wool carpets combined with underfloor heating in a well-insulated home could save households money on their energy bills. Before buying a carpet for use with underfloor heating, seek advice from a carpet retailer or underfloor heating supplier.

Top 10 carpet trends to watch for in 2022

Home design trends are moving away from sleek, minimalist interiors to more plush and cosy rooms, and wall-to-wall carpets in Chester and North Wales are making a comeback. According to a report by Livingetc, the top 10 carpet trends of 2022 are:

1. Natural

Carpets made from natural materials, including seagrass, sisal and wool featuring simple neutral colours that are soft and soothing, are set to be on trend this year. To add a touch of brightness, rugs can be layered on top.

2. Bold

The opposite to neutral shades are bold, bright colours and patterns, which are also a predicted trend. If wall-to-wall bold carpets are too much, start by adding vibrant colours to small areas.

3. Mixed finishes

A carpet with natural colours and simple patterns can be more interesting with mixed finishes, including areas with different pile lengths and textures.

4. Carpets that set room colours

Some homes will allow their carpet to set the dominant colour for the rest of the room this year.

5. Colour blocks

Carpet tiles are ideal for creating blocks of colours on the floor, and one predicted trend is having vivid colours contrasting with more neutral ones.

6. Tartan

Tartan pattern carpets are set to bring traditional country classic style into the home.

7. Plush

Soft, plush long pile carpets will make rooms feel warm and cosy this year.

8. Wool

A thick, deep-pile wool pile carpets will add luxury to rooms this year, dampening sound and keeping rooms warm thanks to their insinuating properties.

9. Earthy tones

Colour consultant Lynn Llewellyn-Jones says that earthy colours make people feel energetic, optimistic, secure and grounded, and earthy-toned carpets are set to be on trend.

10. Match carpets to the wall

People will also match their carpets to their wall colours, creating a feeling of being cocooned and safe.

While these are the predicted trends, homeowners can choose whatever style of carpet fits their personality and home best.

Should a garden rake be used to clean carpets?

A woman on the social media platform TikTok has claimed that people have been cleaning carpets wrong – instead of a vacuum cleaner, she recommends using a garden rake.

The woman, who is known on TikTok as cleanhappyco, says that she is a professional cleaner. In her short video on TikTok, the woman is seen raking the carpet. Afterwards, she reveals that the rake is full of hair. The clip has impressed many, as it has been viewed 6.7 million times, with over half a million likes and thousands of comments.

Many viewers said that the rake solves the problem of hairs clogging up their vacuum. One commentator wrote:

“I think I'd rather do this than disassemble my vacuum and remove a horrifying amount of my own hair from the brush roll once a month.”

Another said that they used a rake normally used for pet hairs, saying it also works well for human hair.

The video and comments focused on the problem of removing hair from carpets. A rake is not perhaps the best solution for keeping carpets clean, however, as it does not pick up dust and small debris. Owners of carpets in the Wrexham, North Wales and Chester region should continue to use a vacuum as their main carpet leaning tool. It is recommended that carpets are professionally cleaned at least once a year.

For removing pet or human hairs, a garden rake could be useful, but people shouldn’t use a dirty one that has recently been used in the garden.