With approximately one-quarter of all carpets sold made from polyester, it is clear to see why people are interested in this type of carpet – but what are some things you should consider about polyester carpet, and is it worth it?
Polyester is highly popular due to being inexpensive and available in a wide range of colors. It is also stain and water-resistant and comes in a wide range of qualities, so if you are looking for a super soft feel then it can be a great choice.
Let’s dive into the pros and cons to weigh up your options when it comes to polyester carpets.
Pros of Polyester Carpet
Polyester carpet has quite a few advantages that you’ve probably not even considered, so we’ve rounded them up below.
Price
Polyester carpet is significantly cheaper than alternative fibres such as nylon.
The reason for polyester being cheaper is because it is usually made from recycled materials, involving a process where PET (polyethylene terephthalate) chips are created from recycled plastic containers. These chips are then converted into PET material which is used as the basis for polyester carpets.
Since both carpet installation and deep cleaning can cost a lot, it’s important to save money where you can.
Wide Variety of Qualities and Colors
Polyester carpet comes in a wide range of qualities, which also helps to cater to a budget.
You can also get polyester carpets in just about any color you want, so you’re guaranteed to find something that suits your home.
Repels Liquids/Spill-Resistant
Polyester also has the unique quality of being resistant to stains and spills due to its hydrophobic nature. In a lot of cases, it is also treated during manufacturing to further emphasize this ability.
So, if you accidentally spill a cup of water onto your polyester carpet you don’t need to worry about a thing.
Can Be Eco Friendly
Most polyester carpets (not all) are made from recycled plastic as we mentioned earlier. This is one of the major selling points for polyester carpets and is something that a lot of buyers will consider when looking into new carpets.
Cons of Polyester Carpet
It isn’t all sunshine and rainbows when it comes to polyester carpets though, and there are a few things you need to be wary of before buying this type of carpet; ranging from durability to oil retention.
Durability
Polyester carpets are known to be less durable than competitors such as nylon. This comes at the benefit of costing less, but highlights the fact that you really do get what you pay for.
Luckily in today’s climate, there are many new polyester carpets being developed that have improved durability. An example of this is Smartstrand carpet, which is made from PTT polyester and very rarely marketed as polyester.
Is It Recyclable?
Polyester carpets are not easy to recycle like other carpets such as nylon, but they can be re-purposed for use very easily.
So, while being eco-friendly in the sense of comprising 100% recycled materials, it is difficult to get rid of after use.
Attracts Oil
Remember how polyester carpets are stain and water-resistant?
Well, there is one small technicality to address – polyester attracts oils. Oils are pretty much everywhere from the food we eat to our skin, and while you won’t notice oils directly on the carpet you will notice the dust and dirt that the oils trap.
Alternatives To Polyester Carpet
Let’s have a quick look at some alternative materials to polyester to get an idea of what the competition is like.
Nylon
Nylon is the most popular carpet material, and for good reason.
Nylon is highly durable, more so than polyester, and comes in a wide range of color options and styles. The downside to nylon is that it needs to be treated to prevent stains.
Olefin
Olefin is the next most popular type of carpet material behind nylon and is more commonly known as polypropylene.
Polypropylene is super durable and most commonly found in commercial or outdoor environments and is not a common type of carpet used for a residential home.
Wool
If luxury is your goal then wool is the only way to go.
Wool is the most expensive carpet of all and for good reason; it has unmatched softness and foot feel. While wool requires a bit of maintenance due to being prone to stains and also UV light it is worth it.
FAQs
In this FAQs section, we will address the most common questions relating to polyester carpets.
Can Polyester Carpet be Dyed?
Due to the nature of the fibres being both stain and water-resistant, it is very hard to dye polyester carpets. This is unfortunate however carpet dyeing is not very common practice anymore and it a lot of cases it makes sense to simply replace the carpet rather than going to the trouble of dyeing it.
Do Polyester Carpets Shed?
Some types of polyester carpets will shed when they are initially fitted up to a few weeks after, but this decreases with regular vacuuming until the loose fibres are removed.
This occurs with staple yarn and not BCF, so you can check this beforehand to be prepared for the shedding.
Are Polyester Carpets Easy to Clean?
Polyester carpets require vacuuming quite often due to their nature to attract oil, which in turn attracts dust and dirt. We recommend once a week in areas that are not used often, and up to every other day for areas that receive high footfall like hallways or entrances.
