Exposing the Berber Carpet Cleaning Myth

Taking time to learn about Berber carpeting will help you understand it’s value as a decorating choice, dispel some of the myths concerning how to clean Berber carpets care and cleaning, and appreciate some of the construction differences that do give rise to minor but unique care and cleaning techniques.

Berber carpet refers to a variety of carpeting that takes it’s style, it’s look, from a hand spun natural fiber carpet traditionally made in parts of northern Africa. The first manufactured Berbers to appear in the industrialized world were made of wool because wool gave an appearance which most resembled the hand made originals.carpets

For a long time wool was the only fiber used in Berber production, making for an expensive product associated with a limited, high-end market. The color choices were light, neutral, natural looking shades which came as a shock to the norm.

At the time, carpeting carried a “darker-the-better-to-hide-the-dirt” tag. Just a couple offacts, but string them together and you can see why Berber acquired a high maintenance, special needs reputation. What isn’t so easy to understand is why, with all the changes and advances in construction technique, color choices, and fiber alternatives (Berber is now available in nylon and olefin), the outdated Berber carpet cleaning myth continues.

The Berber advantage

Depending upon the fiber content of your Berber, there are some things to know about and take into consideration, but Berber certainly is not next to impossible to keep clean. You will find that notion to be far from the truth.

We are a society that demands attractive products thatkeep looking good without a whole lot of fuss and bother. Berber is now a very popular choice of consumers. Sales fall slightly behind cut pile Saxony but the gap is closing fast. There has to be a reason for that don’t you think?

It is a very durable carpeting, constructed of rugged looped pile running in parallel lines. The loop lengths are short so foot prints don’t show and compressed traffic patterns and wear aren’t a problem. The short loop is given varying numbers of twists making for a carpet so dense it is difficult to remove deep down dirt.

The same property makes it difficult for dirt to work it’s way in, so the solution is to vacuum frequently but without using a brushing or beater bar attachment. Get the soil while it is still sitting up there on top just waiting to be picked up. If you keep up with your Berber carpet cleaning in this way it will make things much easier when it is time for more thorough cleaning.

Berber Carpet Care, Different Fibers get Different Care

Olefin has taken over as the most common fiber used to make Berbers. It is an inexpensive polypropylene that is highly resistant to moisture and chemicals so what you get is a carpet that naturally resists stains, easily releases dirt and other soils from it’s surface, and dries very fast because water doesn’t penetrate it. These are all important factors for you to consider when it comes time to decide a form of carpet cleaning. Read as many berber carpet reviews before begin with. Many of the negatives associated with steam carpet berber, for example, don’t apply to olefin. Your olefin Berber is a very good candidate for steam cleaning with the high extraction water recovery only truck mount cleaning services can provide.

Low cost olefin has given you an affordable Berber that is perhaps the easiest of all carpets to keep clean. Unfortunately, lost in the trade is the attractiveness of original wool Berbers.

Nylon is the man made fiber that put Berber into the mainstream. It makes for a much more affordable product than wool while maintaining a wool-like appearance. Since the introduction of olefin, nylon Berbers have been creeping up in price, probably because it is more aesthetically appealing than olefin and more serviceable than wool. Nylon resist abrasion, is resilient enough to bounce back from heavy traffic and remains lustrous through numerous cleaning cycles.

As always, proper cleaning starts with regular vacuuming, preferably before dirt has a chance to settle down to the base of the loops. Don’t use a beater bar or rotating brush attachment because these can snag on a loop and pull off a complete line. The more powerful the suction of your vacuum, the better.

Dry carpet cleaning might be your best choice for complete cleaning of nylon, mainly because you can control the amount of moisture. Remember, your Berber has greater density than cut pile carpet so extracting water from steam carpet cleaning is more difficult and that increases drying times.

If you’re the owner of wool Berber, take very good care of it. They won’t ever be coming less expensive nor will they be easier to get.

Limit your wool Berber carpet cleaning to regular upkeep with a good vacuum and dry cleaning to a hired carpet cleaning service.

Popularity feeds on usability so Berber must be fitting the bill.

Carpet Cleaning Related Articles :

Why steam carpet cleaning is still the leader? – Does steam get the job done right

Exposing the Berber carpet cleaning myth – The Berber advantage

Your quick guide carpet cleaning tips – Things you can do to about staying clean

No simple solution for upholstery cleaning – Why wet dust is worse than dusty dust