Have you ever dreamt of a stain-free carpet? You’re not alone. It sounds too good to be true, but these carpets are now on the market with the promise that they can stand up to the challenges of family life. If you’re thinking about buying one, this post is for you. We’re going to share what we know about stain-resistant carpets and whether or not they are worth your money.

What is a Stain-Resistant Carpet?

As the name suggests, these carpets are equipped with protectants that serve as barriers against spills. Also known as stain-free carpets, they are as comfortable and stylish as traditional carpets. However, they are more hard-wearing and coated with a special finish that shields them from unwanted stains. This is why they are ideal for busy homes, particularly those with small children who seem to knock down everything in their way.

Some carpeting types are naturally resistant to stains. However, those products labelled as stain-resistant have a specific chemical coating that repels dirt and liquid. As a result, anything that you drop that could have caused staining on ordinary carpets will not settle on this unique type of carpet.

Cozy living room.

 

How Does it Work?

Carpets are typically made from different kinds of fabric, such as polyester, acrylic, wool, polypropylene, and silk. However, nylon is the most popular material because of its resistance and resilience to damage due to mildew and abrasion. There are several variations of stain-resistant coatings applied on carpets to enhance protection.

Typically, though, they are made in either of these two methods:

  1. The nylon fibres are infused with chemicals before they are processed in a carpeting mill.
  2. The chemicals are applied while the carpets are in the manufacturing process, usually after weaving or tufting.

Once the carpet is processed to be “stain-resistant,” it becomes fairly impermeable to stains left from food, beverages, ink, rust, and pet accidents. It is even possible that the carpet can resist shoe polish, which is one of the most difficult messes to remove.

 

Dean Billett

Expert Insights From Dean Billett

28+ Years of flooring industry experience

The old style of carpets used to be knitted from white nylon, which had a colour sprayed onto it.

The new way of colouring the carpet involves colouring the fibres before knitting, so the colour is consistent throughout all the threads. This carpet is known as solution-dyed nylon, and it will not fade and is hard to stain. SDN (solution-dyed nylon) carpets typically have upwards of 15-year stain warranties and an extra protective coating to aid with this, allowing stains to be wiped off instantly.

How Do You Clean Up Spills on the Carpet?

The answer to this question depends mainly on the spill you are left with, as well as the carpet itself. Many carpeting products that you can find today come with printed instructions, which will guide you in getting rid of spills properly. You only have to follow them to avoid damaging the carpet. Make sure that you check the specific type of spill you are dealing with to know exactly what you need to do. In most cases, you only have to apply water to blot the area. Others may require a combination of carpet shampoo and water. Nevertheless, the process is so much simpler and faster compared to having a typical carpet.

Even if you have a stain-resistant carpet, it still makes sense to work as fast as you can. Act quickly when you spill something. Never wait for it to dry and settle so that you can remove the spots without a lot of scrubbing. Usually, you have a day or two before the stain fully sets in.

You must know which products to use and avoid. Most of the time, you should avoid any bleach-based cleaning solution. Although bleach is effective in removing stubborn stains and can even disinfect the surface, it can potentially remove the protective coating on the carpet fibres. It’s also possible that bleach can intensify stains and damage the carpet completely or change the colour.

Wine spill on carpet.

 

Benefits of a Stain-Free Carpet

Imagine throwing a party at your house. Everyone is having a blast until one of the guests accidentally drops a glass of red wine on the floor. You watch in horror as the liquid spreads quickly across the carpet. This nightmarish red spillage damages your once-beautiful light beige carpet. Sure, you can search on Google how to remove the stain. But amidst all the help you can get, your floor covering will no longer be what it used to be.

Yes, we know that spilt wine is not an everyday occurrence. However, your ordinary yet hardworking carpet takes hits from shoes or bare feet, dropped food, toys, and perhaps heavy objects. Even if you don’t have kids, you may have pets that can double your daily messes. Cleaning up surely involves a lot of hours scrubbing just to keep the flooring from absorbing the stains.

This is where you can benefit from a stain-resistant carpet. It’s a wonderful solution that allows you to remove stains quickly without worrying about permanent damage.

Note that stain-resistant carpets are not designed to be 100% stain-proof. However, they save you time and effort when it comes to eliminating the stains. Because they are more durable than standard carpets, they will not require frequent replacements, unlike ordinary carpeting.

So, what else can you get out of a stain-resistant carpet?

Here are impressive benefits that will convince you to buy one for your Perth home:

 

1. Your Carpet Will Look Nicer for a Longer Time

Let’s be real here. When you spill something, it usually results in a stain. This is true, at least for other kinds of carpets that do not have a protective chemical coating. Sure, you can hide the stains with furniture or throw rugs, but these blemishes will be there forever. It is also difficult to find an appropriate piece of furniture, especially if the stain is right at the centre. And if you’re like most homeowners, these items can be bothersome because they disrupt the flow of traffic. They are also eyesores that may prompt you to buy a new carpet that’s not covered by your budget.

You will have none of the issues mentioned above with stain-resistant carpets. They are cost-effective since the stains do not set in quickly. You can remove them, so you will not need a replacement. Because they are easily maintained, the carpets are there for longer.

 

2. Price Points Are Attractive for Stain-resistant Carpets

Believe it or not, stain-resistant carpets are not as expensive as you may think. They are not as costly as carpets made from fibres like wool.

As with any other product on the market, you get what you pay for with stain-free carpets. If you choose high-quality carpeting, you could benefit from this investment. That’s because the carpet can last your lifetime – with proper maintenance, of course. But don’t worry; taking care of your quality stain-resistant carpet is not as taxing as it may sound. Just wipe and blot to remove spills.

Family home with carpet flooring.

 

3. It May Offer a Health Advantage

The carpets that do not absorb spills often come with wick-away properties. This attribute is highly valuable for households with allergies. The health advantage comes because spills do not stick on the carpeting. That means you have fewer things to worry about, which are bugs and critters that liquid and food spills typically attract.

Carpet fibres are often problematic for people with allergies. Carpet tiles are a better solution compared to broadloom carpeting. Installation is so easy that you will not even need a professional to do it for you. The tiles can be applied directly onto your existing flooring, but you don’t have to deal with heavy rolls of carpeting.

 

 

4. Maintenance Is Quick and Easy

We’ve mentioned how maintaining a stain-free carpet is relatively straightforward and that’s because it truly is! Dealing with tough spills is undoubtedly not simple. However, you can trust that your carpet will have your back. Whether it is mud tracked in from your shoes, your baby throwing colourful food to the ground, or someone dropping a glass of milk, nothing will wreak havoc with the help of your stain-resistant carpet.

You will not require professional steam cleaning as much as having an average floor covering. Whenever life happens, you’re ready, thanks to your stain-resistant carpet.

 

5. It’s Soft and Comfortable

One misconception about stain-resistant carpets is that they do not have the same feel as regular carpeting. This is false. You can find carpets that are made with soft surface materials, so you feel the same luxury as the traditional options. They can add warmth and comfort to your home, making you enjoy a cosier room. We guarantee that your feet will thank you for that softness they can land on, especially at the end of a busy day.

And here is a bonus benefit. Your home could be even more energy efficient because of the additional padding in the room. In the colder months, your soft stain-free carpet will keep you and your feet warm. You won’t even have to worry about wearing socks, so you can enjoy walking barefoot comfortably in your home.

 

Should You Choose a Stain-Resistant Carpet for Your Home?

Consider the benefits above to determine if you should buy a stain-free carpet and have it installed in your home. There are wonderful advantages over the use of traditional floor covering.

However, there are a few things you must know:

  • A stain-resistant carpet does not mean you can be as carefree as you want to be. It still requires a little bit of TLC. That includes cleaning up spills as quickly as you possibly can. Good maintenance will give you a lasting carpet for the years to come.
  • Stain-resistant carpets do not last forever, just like everything else in this world. The protective coating on its surface wears or thins out over time. You will need to follow the manufacturer’s instructions diligently for the floor cover to last long.
  • You should never bleach your carpet to hasten the removal of the stain. It will quickly wear down the coating, which removes its ability to resist blemishes.
  • Avoid spilling strong chemicals, including acne medication, anything acidic, and even yellow mustard. Most manufacturers will tell you to keep these substances at a safe distance from your carpet.

Office with carpet flooring.

A stain-resistant carpet is certainly an excellent addition to your home. If you have always had issues dealing with spillage and spots that are difficult to remove, consider this type of carpet. You will never have to spend hours trying to wipe and clean the floor just to make it look presentable once again.