Polyester Carpet | Cleaning methods & Facts

Polyester CARPETING, known as PET for polyethylene terephthalate, is a relatively inexpensive carpeting.  It is often called the “pop bottle carpet” as its fibers are made from PET chips coming from recycled plastic containers.  For that reason, PET Polyester carpeting is considered truly environmentally friendly.

Improvements in polyester CARPETING have made it stronger than it used to be.  Polyester now has good abrasion resistance and a higher melting point.  It is soft to the touch and very fade resistant, holding its color well.  PET Polyester is non-allergenic with good STAIN resistance.  It resists moths and mildews, and readily sheds moisture.

Drawbacks to PET polyester are its poor resiliency and affinity for oily stains.  Resiliency is how fast a fiber “bounces back” after being crushed or walked upon.  PET polyester tends to matt down and stay crushed, even after cleaning. It also has a tendency to shed. Oily STAINS are a problem, as they tend to bond with the fiber and become permanent.

Regular VACUUMING is needed, with quick spill removal.  Due to its stain resistance, most spills blot up easily as long as they are not oily.  Most CARPET CLEANING methods can be used on PET polyester, as the carpeting dries rapidly.  STEAM CLEANING is generally the recommended method.