Did you know that the type of carpet you have can impact how you need to clean the carpet? When you contact a professional carpet cleaner, their estimate for the cost of a cleaning may be off if they don’t know what type of carpet you have. And even the products you use to keep your carpet clean between professional cleanings can change depending on this fact. So let’s take a look at the different types of carpet, and how each is cleaned.

TYPES OF CARPET

Carpet types are defined by a few characteristics. First is the pile, and carpets typically come in three types of piles: cut, loop, and combination. Loop pile is easy to recognize. If you inspect each “thread” of your carpet, you’ll see that they form loops, coming up from the carpet base, and then looping back over to meet the carpet base again. Cut pile means that the threads simply stand up from the carpet base, with their ends pointing to the sky. Combination pile is a little of both on the same carpet.

Within these three types of pile, there are many heights and styles of each type. Beyond that, carpet is then further delineated by the fiber material. Carpet can be nylon, wool acrylic, polyester, or a blend. This characteristic will have a big impact on the type of cleaning chemical that can be used when cleaning your carpet.

HOW TO CLEAN TYPES OF CARPET

Now that you know that carpet is typed by its piles and its material, you can easily start to identify the type of carpet you have. Here are some of the most common types of carpet and how to clean them:

Frieze carpet is a cut pile carpet that varies in length, with a high amount of twist. These are often used in commercial buildings and hallways, where there is high traffic. Because it is usually in heavily used areas, this type of carpet often needs a professional cleaning every year, and a deep vacuuming regularly.
Shag carpet is a cut pile carpet with long threads that is often found in bedrooms and other areas of residential homes. These carpets require a specific type of vacuum to ensure that air can actually get to the base of the fibers. The Carpet and Rug Institute certifies vacuums as shag carpet compatible.
Berber carpet is a popular loop pile carpet with tightly woven short loops. This is often found in professional offices and is very easy to clean. Spot cleaning spills will often keep this type of carpet pristine, and you may be able to go years between professional cleanings.
Other types of carpet you may have include velvet, saxony, sisal, and velour. Identifying your carpet can help you create a strategy for keeping it looking like new.