In this blog entry, our professional New Jersey carpet repair and NJ carpet cleaning service team will explain the most important things to know about carpet shedding.
Why do carpets shed?
Carpet shedding is caused by loose fibers in your carpet moving out of the carpet backing. These loose fibers might be left over from the manufacturing of the carpet, or a result of the carpet accidentally being cut, or damaged – or the carpet being poorly installed.
There are a range of additional factors that cause increased carpet shedding including:
- Carpet Fiber Type– Natural carpet fibers like wool often experience more shedding than synthetic carpet fibers like nylon
- Carpet Design– Cut pile carpets often experience more shedding than looped pile carpets
- Heavy Foot Traffic- Areas that experience lots of foot traffic cause the capet to be subject to more friction, which increases carpet shedding
How can I better manage a shedding carpet?
- Vacuuming Regularly– This is incredibly important. Regularly vacuum your carpet, especially new carpets – at least twice a week during the initial period of carpet shedding after it is installed. Make sure to use a vacuum cleaner with strong suction and a rotating brush or beater bar to help agitate the fibers and loosen up any debris trapped within carpet fibers.
- Cleaning Carpets Gently– Always avoid harsh scrubbing movements or strong chemicals for carpet cleaning. Use gentle cleaning solutions especially designed for delicate carpets, and always blot up spills right away to prevent them from damaging carpet fibers or settling deeper into the carpet.
- Professional Carpet Cleaning– Get your carpets professionally deep cleaned once a year at least, and more often if you have pets, small children, heavy foot traffic, ro smokers in your house. This can remove deeply embedded allergens and dirt while extracting loose carpet fibers, which minimizes shedding.
- Have Patience For Shedding to Stop– Shedding often occurs initially after the carpet is installed for the first few weeks or months. Be vigilant during this time period to remove loose fibers, and try to be patient that it will eventually stop. If the carpet continues to shed after months, or begins to shed a lot more, contact our trusted carpet cleaning service for more advice.
When is carpet shedding serious?
There’s a few signs that indicate a more serious problem associated with carpet shedding, including:
- Excess Shedding– If you’re noticing your vacuum cleaner rapidly filling up every time it passes over the carpet, or if you find large collections or lumps of carpet fibers through your home, your carpet is likely experiencing excessive shedding that requires professional attention
- Bald Spots in Carpets – If you see bald spots, bare areas, or parts of the carpet with visibly thinner carpet fibers, it’s likely due to the carpet being improperly installed or even a mistake during the carpet manufacturing process. It might be possible you may have to replace the carpet all together, but it’s worth reaching out to our professional NJ carpet cleaning and restoration experts for advice as to whether you can avoid total carpet replacement though our professional services