Carpet

Carpet adds color and texture to your home while complementing almost any style of interior design.  At the same time, carpet also creates a feeling of warmth and comfort.  But did you know that carpet acts as a dust filter, trapping particles to be removed by vacuuming rather than allowing them to float freely in the air where you can easily inhale them?  Plus, carpet is easy to clean, and can even save you money on your heating bills.  

                                    Carpet comes in different types and fibers.  There are plush or cut-pile, berber loop-pile, berber cut-pile, cut-and-loop pile, and commercial loop.  Natural fibers for carpets include wool and synthetic fibers made from nylon, polyester, polypropylene, and acrylics.  The fiber type you choose will be determined by the look and feel you want, as well as the level of foot traffic in that area of your home.

Here are some things to keep in mind:

-         Try to use waterless or steam systems when cleaning your carpet.  For a high traffic carpet, cleaning twice a year is best.

-         Follow the manufacturers cleaning instructions for spills or stains.  Using household chemicals on the affected area may cause permanent damage.

-         The carpet industry began in 1791 when the first woven carpet mill began in Philadelphia.  The first power loom, created by Erastus Bigelow, was invented in 1839 and is part of the Smithsonian Institution's collection.