Here at John’s Chem-Dry of Whatcom County, we pride ourselves on our ability to provide professional cleaning services. On top of that, we love being able to provide insight and tips about any issues you may be facing. One of these common problems is carpet shedding. Here’s our thoughts and ideas about carpet shedding as a whole.
When is Carpet Shedding Normal?
During the first few months of their life, newly-installed carpets, particularly cut pile carpets made of spun yarns, wool, and shag carpeting, usually shed fibers. Although it can be irritating to find fibers scattered around your home, this shedding is a normal occurrence and should not impact your carpet’s long-term performance or appearance. With continued use, shedding should gradually decrease and eventually cease altogether.
If shedding persists or starts again later on, there may be an issue with the carpet fibers or the quality of the fibers. It’s important to contact the manufacturer to discuss this. In addition, improper care of the carpet can also contribute to shedding. Make sure to consider this as a potential factor if you’re concerned about ongoing shedding issues.
How to Prevent Shedding
Here are some tips for caring for your carpet to prevent shedding and protect its lifespan:
- Maintain a regular carpet cleaning routine and be gentle when performing it. Use a light touch and avoid using the highest setting on the cleaning machine.
- Vacuum with the grain of the carpet to avoid excessive wear and tear.
- Consider using a throw rug in areas of high traffic to extend the lifespan of the carpet and prevent premature shedding.
- Hire professional carpet cleaners at least twice a year to remove deep-set dirt that can cause friction on delicate fibers. They can also help speed up the initial shedding process by removing loose fibers all at once.
By following these steps, you can help keep your carpet looking its best and prevent shedding from becoming a problem.
How Shedding Affects Rugs
In addition to wall-to-wall carpets, rugs can also shed fibers. This is often a result of the shearing process that occurs after wool and silk rugs are woven. These loose fibers can be removed through careful vacuuming and grooming with a beater brush or horse hair brush. If shedding persists, specialized rug cleaning services from a carpet cleaner can lift away loose fibers and leave your rugs clean and ready for use.
Whether you have a new carpet that is shedding or an older carpet or rug that is starting to show signs of wear, our carpet cleaners can help. Get in touch with the carpet experts at John’s Chem-Dry of Whatcom County today by calling (360) 734-3551.
