In the carpet industry, nylon fiber is considered the most popular fiber type and carpet material. It has a very good reputation for being durable and relatively easy to maintain. Nylon is more expensive than other synthetic fibers but is the most versatile of all synthetic fibers when it comes to carpet styling and is the strongest fiber that is an excellent choice for heavy foot traffic areas.

Since it’s the most durable of all existing carpet fibers, its strengths include good abrasion and stain resistance, good soil hiding ability, and good resiliency. There is a difference in carpet prices between branded and unbranded nylon carpets. Appearance and weight cannot determine which one is branded or not. But if you are looking for value goods, consider getting unbranded nylon carpets that offer a considerable benefit for the money. These products have fewer features but still get the good qualities of nylon at lower carpet costs.

History of Nylon Fiber

Nylon Fiber was invented in 1935 by Wallace Hume Carothers, head of research at DuPont. In 1939. It was first commercially used in women’s stockings at the same time it was used as a fishing net and toothbrush bristle. Nylon was only being used as a carpet material in the mid-1950s. Several years later, BFC, or bulked continuous filament nylon was introduced in DuPont (1959).

Characteristics of Nylon Fiber for Carpets

Nylon Fiber is an ideal choice for carpet fibers because it is not only tested for its durability but its resiliency as well. It is an ideal material for carpets and rugs because it has a very strong fiber that can stand up very well to abrasion and has good texture retention.

Nylon Carpets Durability

Hydrogen molecule plays an important part in nylon carpet fibers’ structure. When nylon fibers have begun to flatten due to foot traffic, heat from steam carpet cleaning reactivates these hydrogen molecules to make these fibers bounce back to their original form. This method of cleaning is necessary and important and can be done every 12-18 months at minimum to ensure its life and form and it’s more preferred over the standard vacuum cleaner.

Stain Resistance

Nylon must be protected with stain treatment this is since it has a very absorbent fiber. Luckily, today’s technology provides new generation high-quality nylon. Today’s nylon has the highest stain resistance than ever before.
The solution-dyed nylon is arguably the most stain-resistant nylon. The color is locked during the production of the fiber hence the color becomes part of the fiber. It is permanent and fade-resistant. Spills and dirt won’t be able to attach themselves to the fiber’s cells to create stains.

Soil Resistance

A nylon fiber provides optimal performance and carpet styling. While it prevents the carpet from wearing out, it also creates a soft and luxurious feel for the bare feet. The same fibers are being used for seatbelts, airbags, parachute cords, and other durable materials. Due to its durability, it is well trusted to handle everyday household soiling especially coming from shoes and pets.

Stain Versus Soling of Nylon Carpet

Staining

Spilled juices are the most common cause of stains in the carpets. Fruit juices for instance once spilled over the carpet leave colored spots known as stains. Stain fighting treatments are mostly used to remove carpet stains but due to nylon’s component, it only needs little cleansing.
Book a carpet cleaning service or clean the carpet on your own as soon as you see it to prevent the stain from setting deep into the carpet fibers. Scoop the stain with a clean cloth then blot with a good stain-fighting solution. Do it repeatedly until traces of stains are removed. Rinse any left-over solution out of the carpet then dry it.

Soiling may or may not be Soiling

Soiling is a result of spilled substances. It is said that soiling is the result of residue on the carpet that causes discoloration on the fibers. Some soiling can be attributed to some very strong cleaning products not fully rinsed out of the carpet. Some soiling is a result of walking barefoot.

It is very simple to prevent soiling for carpets. It is important to rinse the carpet well after treating it with solutions. Blotting a clean cloth damped with water is the easiest way to remove residues out of the carpet. To prevent soiling due to bare foot traffic just simply use socks or slippers on your homes.

Eco-Friendliness

Nylon is essentially derived from crude oil. This is a type of plastic that is subject to intensive chemical processes resulting in pliable, stretchable fibers that make it very useful as clothing materials. Most specifically this plastic is called polyamides. This is made from reacting carbon-based chemicals found in coal and petroleum in a high-pressure, heated environment.

Nylon carpet is not biodegradable

Strength, durability, and ability to be molded into shape are the most useful characteristics of nylon. The disadvantage is that nylon is in no way biodegradable. When you no longer need it, it will sit in landfills for almost 50 years.

The Good side

Nylon is plastic and, therefore, can never be decomposed. But the good side is, it can be recycled. Many leading manufacturers developed an eco-friendly nylon made from recycled plastics, drastically reducing waste and pollution.

A Nylon Carpet applications

A nylon carpet costs less than a carpet made of any other carpet materials. This is because of the supply chain (recyclability) and the durability of its components. There are many leading companies of today that are now producing nylon to sell to leading carpet manufacturers and carpet dealers whether it’s in-house or purchasing fibers from an outside source.

Average Cost of Quality Nylon Carpeting

Nylon Carpets are readily available at all price points. The cost of nylon carpeting is usually calculated per square foot. It is a versatile fiber that can be used in lower products for added durability over other inexpensive carpet fiber types such as polyester and olefin, but it is also suitable for higher-end products with longer warranties. Overall, nylon’s durability and resiliency make it a very good choice of carpet material, but as always, be sure to consider all factors when making your purchase for your home flooring and overall home improvement.