100% Recycled Plastic Carpet.

100% Recycled Plastic Carpet

Sounds good, Well Maybe

Some carpets on the market today are made from 100% recycled soda bottles (PET).  PET fibers offer very distinct advantages (so say the manufacturers).  Among the advantages they list are

1.     Superior and Permanent Stain Resistance

2.     Strength and Abrasion Resistance

3.     Permanent Static Resistance

4.     Rich True Colors

5.     Low Moisture Absorption

Because recycled plastic is in products such as seat belts and tire cords it must meet federal strength requirements that are not applied to other fibers used in the production of carpet.  And it is claimed that 100% recycled carpet is competitively priced with standard nylon carpet.  100% recycled pad is also offered to go with the recycled carpet.

Sounds good.  However, as a carpet cleaner I have noticed other distinct differences that you may not be aware of.

When people get their carpets cleaned they expect the carpet to look pretty much like it did when it was installed.  And while that might be the case for a few cleanings, this will not continue indefinitely. 

Of course the driving force behind getting this type of carpet was that it is made from recycled products.  Good for the environment, right?  Not so fast.  Some products that have been envisioned as being made from recycled products should not be.  And a case in point is carpet. 

Carpet is unique in that it is subject to a lot of wear and tear.  We walk on it we drag stuff on it, track in dirt from outside onto it and our pets play and sleep and sometimes have accidents on it.  So it takes a lot of use and abuse. 

So what is the result?  The carpet fibers scratch, fray, crack and retain scuff marks.  As this happens over time the wear patterns become more visible and the plastic begins to change the color.  Whites become  gray and colors take on a muted shade.  And believe it or not, dirt becomes trapped in the cracks and scrapes and breaks of the fibers and it is very difficult to get out.  It can be removed but the carpet fibers are further broken down.  The carpet is clean and it can be scotch guard treated again but the discoloring and the wear will remain. 

I have cleaned many such recycled carpets and the customer is always amazed at how clean I am able to get them and they do look much better.  But they do not look new and the wear pattern remains and the discolored areas remain. 

We use a special carpet cleaning machine that has scrubbers on it that really give the carpet a good cleaning.  We are able to dislodge the trapped dirt.  It really is the best cleaning they will ever get.

So what is my point?  When I let people know that their carpet is made from recycled plastic soda bottles I get one of two reactions

A.     Wonderful, it is good for the planet.

B.     Oh no, now what?

Several very high end homes have 100% recycled carpet.  But it does wear out faster.  Not that you can wear holes in it.  It just breaks down and looks worn.  Do you remember the “Double Knit Polyester pants?”

I do and we thought, ”WOW! These will never wear out or fade. “

But they did show wear. As Ron Rader of Kleensmart Carpet Cleaning laughed and chuckled “ Kinda formed to our body parts, Permanent.”  The fabric “Pilled” and would pick and get pulled.  The only way you could destroy them was by fire.  Well 100% recycled plastic carpet is much the same, “In my opinion”. 

Please be assured that the carpet can be cleaned cleaner that most other fiber carpets because it is stain resistant and will not absorb moisture as much as other fibers and it is tough as nails.

Kleensmart Carpet Cleaning can get your carpets the cleanest they have ever been, Including 100% recycled plastic carpet.  So give us a try.

Visit our facebook site (www.facebook.com/Ron.Rader.146) and learn about us.  You can email us at (kleensmartcarpetcare@gmail.com) to ask questions or book and estimate.

As always “Success in carpet cleaning” for you.

Ken Rader

Ken Rader Interiors L.L.C.

Ken Rader Interiors is partnering with Kleensmart Carpet Cleaning.

www.kenraderinteriors.com  for all your painting needs.

Visit our facebook page at www.facebook.com/ken.rader.interiors