What is the cause of carpet shedding and how do you reduce it?
There are two main indicators of how area rugs and wall-to-wall carpets shed. The first and most important is the type of fiber used. A wool rug will initially shed more than a rug made of synthetic fibers like nylon. The second aspect of the rug which contributes to shedding is the construction of the pile such as hand-knotted vs. hand-tufted. Hand-knotted rugs shed less with help from the way they are constructed.
Almost all rugs shed when they are new due to loose fibers left during the manufacturing process. The better the rug, the sooner the problem of shedding ceases or at least becomes very minimal.
How to reduce shedding of your area rugs:
The first thing to do to reduce a shedding problem is examine the quality of the rug and ask questions about the fibers when you are making a purchase. To reduce the shedding when you bring your new rug home:
- Vacuum your rug daily for the first 10 days after bringing it home. Be sure to have the height lever of your vacuum set to High as some powerful vacuums might actually damage pile, especially on hand-tufted rugs. Don’t rush the process. Move the vacuum slowly to allow the suction to pull out loose piles.
- Wipe your shoes well before entering the house. The sands stuck at the bottom of your shoes can get into the pile and as people walk over the rug, these sands act like sandpaper and break the pile, which adds to shedding.
- Vacuum your rugs at least twice a week after the initial daily vacuuming.
If you have any further questions about shedding and ways to reduce it, contact Dabbieri today.
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