If you are dealing with a vacuum pulling up carpet fibres then you are probably wondering why it is happening and what you can do to stop it.
In most cases, it is normal for a vacuum to pull up carpet fibres on newly installed carpets, as well as spun yarn carpets which can continue to shed for many years. There are also certain types of carpet material that can be more prone to releasing their fibres if they are not maintained correctly, like wool.
Let’s take a look at what factors affect vacuums pulling up carpet fibres and what you can do to prevent it from happening in the future.
Shedding vs Fuzzing
It is first important to realise the difference between shedding and fuzzing, as they are often used interchangeably when there is actually a key difference between the two terms.
Shedding is something that is completely normal to happen to carpets and refers to when fibres are released from the pile due to footfall or vacuuming. After a couple of months of having a new carpet shedding should be reduced to a minimum amount.
Fuzzing, also known as bearding, is when fibres become loose but still attached to the yarn bundle on one end. You can easily check for fuzzing by looking closely at your carpet – if you notice any fibres that are much longer than the others but still attached to the carpet then this is a telltale sign of it.
Is It Normal For A Vacuum To Pull Up Carpet Fibres?
When a carpet is newly installed it is normal for it to shed some fibres over the first couple of months.
This is especially common in spun yarn systems, but it can also happen to continuous yarn systems as well. Spun yarn is more likely to continue to have fibres removed during vacuuming and footfall over time, whereas continuous will show fewer signs of this over time.
Reasons For Vacuum Pulling Up Carpet Fibres
Let’s take a look at all of the reasons why vacuums can pull up carpet fibres to help you identify what the cause of the problem might be.
Type Of Carpet
Certain types of carpets are simply more prone to shedding than others.
Wool, for example, is highly susceptible to shedding especially if you are not vacuuming it properly. A simple mistake such as using a beater bar on wool carpets can increase the amount of shedding drastically.
Carpets with continuous filament yarns, on the other hand, are less likely to shed over the long run – but even those can still shed.
Loop Vs Cut Pile
The difference between loop and cut pile is very simple. Looped pile is where the fibres are not cut and are instead ‘looped’ back into the backing.
Cut pile, on the other hand, is where the fibres are cut. Due to this, cut pile is more prone to shedding and fuzzing as the ends of the fibres are exposed.
Type of Vacuum and Attachments Used
Some types of carpets respond better to suction only vacuuming – an example of which being wool.
Suction only vacuuming is when you vacuum using suction power only and doesn’t involve the use of a beater bar and brush. Some beater bars and brushes, especially those that are quite stiff, can cause fibres to be pulled up out of carpets.
In this case, it is very important to speak to the manufacturer of your carpet to understand the guidelines for vacuuming your carpet. If you don’t stick to these you can cause excessive shedding, damage and ultimately end up voiding any warranty.
You can also check this online resource to determine which type of vacuuming is best for your carpet if you are not able to get into contact with the manufacturer.
Dust and Debris
Another reason why vacuuming can pull up carpet fibres is due to dust or debris deep within the carpet pile that can damage individual carpet fibres.
Imagine if you had a small stone or other sharp object being pushed around while you vacuum your carpet or even walk across it. This could easily lead to fibres getting damaged or cut which could release them from the pile.
Can Rugs Shed Too?
Rugs are also prone to shedding, for pretty much every reason that applies to carpets as well.
The only other reason is that when rugs are manufactured they are sheared once the weaving process is complete, which can leave behind loose fibres that need to be vacuumed away. This, similarly to carpets, will only last for a couple of months at most.
Can Professional Cleaning Remove Shedding?
In cases where shedding is to be expected, professional carpet cleaners can remove pretty much all of the loose fibres at once.
This is beneficial if you want to get rid of the majority of shedding in one go, but it comes at the added cost of paying for a professional.
Final Thoughts
We hope you have a good idea of why vacuums can pull up carpet fibres and the things you can do to speed up the process.
If you have any other questions then don’t hesitate to get in touch!
