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
