With Christmas just around the corner, we are reminded of the importance of family and are able to reflect on how precious ours is to us. What would we do without the presence of loved ones in our lives? They add so much meaning, so much joy to our days.
It is the value that they add that makes it incredibly important to do your research when picking out new carpeting. Not all carpets are created equal, and some are more family-friendly than others. After all, the carpet you choose will determine how much protection a little one has if they take a tumble, how much sound will reverberate around the house during nap time, the amount of traction available for high-energy kiddos who enjoy running around the house, and how clean you're able to get your home when spills inevitably happen.
We want to ensure you make the right choice for your home, so for this Floor Tip Thursday, we're going to break down your options for you, starting with polyester (also know as PET).
Polyester is a an ideal carpet fiber for families with small children. It is stain-resistant by nature, so if you have toddlers or an infant this may be the right choice for you. That's not to say it can't be stained, but polyester will definitely give any messes a run for their money. It is also one of the most eco-friendly of the synthetic fibers and can be recycled. That makes it a champion for many households looking to be fashionable without negatively impacting the environment.
In addition to being both family-friendly and environmentally-friendly, polyester is kind to most peoples' budgets. Because it is woven from non-organic fibers, the cost stays relatively low and can match just about any price point. Sometimes you do get what you pay for, however, and polyester is no exception. It's a great fiber that is improving everyday, but it isn't necessarily known for its durability. If longevity is your biggest deciding factor, you may want to take a look at nylon carpets instead.
Nylon is perhaps the most resilient carpet fiber out there, and certainly beautiful to look at. That look will last as it is famous for holding its shape under the pressure of high levels of foot traffic. If you have a big family, this is a good contender. It is not without its flaws, however.
As strong as nylon is against pressure and weight, its defense against stains is very weak. Spills and spots are difficult to remove from nylon as it is highly absorbent. Modern technology has begun to work against this problem, but if you have really little ones, you may want to stay away from nylon for now.
If stains concern you and polyester isn't making the cut, triexta may be your solution. Messes will not absorb into this fiber easily, though it looks similar to nylon with its matte finish. In fact, many stains can be cleaned from triexta with just a bit of water. Sounds like a dream when you have a lot going on and don't have time to deal with deep carpet cleaning.
Stain-resistance isn't the only advantage triexta has over nylon. It is also the softest of the three fibers we've mentioned. This makes it nice for kids who love to play on the floor.
The main downside to this revolutionary fiber is its newness. It hasn't been on the market for very long, so there's no way to tell how it will hold up long-term. All we can do is hope for the best and appreciate the benefits we are sure of.
Now, triexta, polyester, and nylon are not the only carpet fibers in existence. There are additional fibers to choose from out there, but these three are hard to beat. Between the stain resistance, durability, and softness of each, you have a winner no matter which fiber is selected for your home. We can't wait to see what you decide.