Olefin carpet is a type of synthetic fiber that has become increasingly popular in recent years. It’s easy maintenance and affordability makes it a top choice for homeowners. If you’re wondering if it will be a perfect fit for your home and lifestyle, let’s find out!
What is Olefin?
Olefin is a synthetic (manufactured) material. It’s also known as polypropylene, a type of thermoplastic used to make a wide range of household products, medical devices and more. Because it’s derived from plastic, olefin carpet is best installed in places with the potential for water damage. Source: FamilyHandyman
Good stain resistance
Olefin is hydrophobic, meaning that it does not absorb liquid. Due to this, olefin must be solution-dyed. The color is added to the fiber during production, instead of dyeing the fiber after it’s made. Because solution-dyed fibers have no open dye sites (since they are technically not dyed) there is nowhere for stains to attach themselves and these fibers are highly resistant to staining. In fact, even bleach would not affect the color of the fiber.
Poor soil resistance
However, olefin is also oleophilic, meaning that it attracts oils. In fact, polypropylene is often used to help clean up oil spills in lakes and oceans by skimming a polypropylene net across the surface of the water to soak up the oil.
Unfortunately, olefin’s weakness for oils means that any oil-based spill or residue will not easily be cleaned from the carpet’s fibers. Because of this, olefin is not recommended in areas susceptible to spills of oily substances, such as kitchens or dining rooms.
If you have an olefin carpet, wearing socks or slippers can reduce the transfer of oil from the bottoms of your feet. This is good advice for all types of carpet. Source: TheSpruce
Best for low-traffic area
To prevent crushing, manufacturers tend to keep the pile in olefin carpets low. Olefin fibers have a relatively low melting point and can be easily damaged by friction generated by simply dragging a heavy piece of equipment across the carpet. Source: FacilitiesNet
Carpet is one of the most important features in your home. It brings comfort and warmth to a room. And it’s a place where you can play with your children or just take a nap on a lazy Sunday afternoon. If you’re looking for the perfect type of carpet to suit your needs, call us and we’ll help you out!
