What is Polyester Carpet?

Are you looking to upgrade your home's aesthetic on a budget? Polyester carpet is your perfect choice. Polyester was among the worst carpets several years back due to poor quality.

Over the years, manufacturers have improved the fiber, making it among the best, most affordable carpets.

Its softness and ability to resist stains (except oils) make it among the best budget-friendly synthetic carpets for homes and business floorings.

If you've never used or seen polyester carpets, you may wonder what they are, their pros and cons, and whether they are safe for your family and pets.

What Is Polyester Carpet?

Polyester carpet is made from synthetic fibers and is a more budget-friendly option compared to nylon. However, it has a shorter lifespan.

With a wide range of colors and styles available, polyester carpets offer plenty of choices to suit your home or business flooring needs.

Are Polyester Carpets Any Good?

Polyester carpets are good for people who want a short-term flooring solution. They last about 5 years. If installed in medium- or low-foot traffic areas and take good care of them, they could last up to 10 years.

Their initial cost and ability to resist water-based stains make them good for people on a budget. Don't despise them for their short life and low cost; polyester carpets have excellent fade resistance because they're process-dyed. They're also soft to the touch, making them good carpets.

Polyester carpets are easy to clean, so you won't have to spend an arm and a leg to clean them regularly.

Regular and annual professional carpet cleaning could be all you need to see your carpet last for a decade! Vacuum or beat your carpet outside to remove debris and loose dirt from its fibers.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Polyester Carpet?

Polyester carpets have some advantages and disadvantages

The Advantages of Polyester Carpets

Affordable: Polyester carpets are considered to be a low-budget investment. So, is polyester cheap carpet? If you compare nylon carpet vs. polyester carpet prices, you'll realize that polyester is a cheap option, with some low-end carpets going for only $8 per square foot. High-end polyester carpets may cost about $25 per square foot. The cost may go up or down based on where you're buying. So polyester is a cheap carpet, making it a great choice for people with a small budget who want to keep their home warm and add aesthetics.

Water-based stain resistant: Polyester carpets are water-based stain resistant because they're process dyed and lack open dye sites for stains to bond to.

Softness: Polyester carpets have a velvet-like softness, making them feel luxurious and cozy underfoot.

Recyclable: Polyester carpets can be recycled, making them a better choice for environmentally friendly, conscious people, though not as carpets made of natural fibers such as wool carpets.

Polyester carpets are available in a wide range of colors, patterns, and designs, giving you endless options to choose from. Because polyester fibers are highly dyeable, they come in a variety of rich shades, making them a perfect match for any home or office décor.

The Disadvantages of Polyester Carpets

They last a short time: Polyester carpets like nylon and other synthetic fibers may not last long. That could make you wonder, how long does polyester carpet last? Polyester carpet lasts about 5 years, at minimum. A well-maintained polyester carpet can last up to 10 years, but wear and tear are easily noticeable. To extend the lifespan of polyester carpets, only use the recommended cleaning products; avoid harsh products such as bleach, as they cause yellowing! Deal with stains and spills as soon as you've noticed them, as they could 'eat' the fibers and cause wear. Don't install polyester carpets in high-traffic areas. Buy polyester carpets with a medium-high density and higher pile; such can last approximately 7 to 15 years.

Least resilient carpets: Installing polyester carpets in high-traffic areas causes irreversible matting and crushing due to low resiliency. They also show traffic foot patterns and are more susceptible to wear and tear in high-traffic areas. Avoid installing polyester carpets in stairs, hallways, and other high-traffic areas. Consider nylon carpets for such areas. Polyester carpets are great for home offices, basements, and other low to medium-foot-traffic areas.

Not resistant to oil-based stains: Polyester carpets are only resistant to water-based stains, not oil-based stains. Oil-based stains get into polyester carpet fibers, making them extremely difficult to clean. You may need help from a professional carpet cleaning company to remove oil-based stains from polyester carpets.

The carpet structure may fray: Carpets whose base is glued together may fray over time due to extended friction or heavy foot traffic.

Soft: While this is a pro, it can also be a con because the fiber could lose its volume and harden, losing its initial softness over time.

Is Polyester a Good Carpet for Pet Owners?

As a pet owner looking for stain-resistant flooring, you might be wondering if you can get a good-quality polyester pet carpet. Since polyester doesn't do well under high traffic and often sheds, it's not a good choice for pet lovers.

Pet claws could threaten the short lifespan of your carpet, drastically shortening it by several years. Pet owners prefer nylon carpets, which resist stains better and are more durable than polyester.

Can Polyester Carpet Get Wet?

Polyester fibers do not absorb moisture like other fibers because they're hydrophobic. They're good for areas prone to mildew and mold growth.

However, if you use too much water to clean your polyester carpet, it will get wet, and drying it might not be as easy if you don't have the necessary tools.

Only use enough water to make it possible for the carpet to dry quickly.

How to Choose a Good Polyester Carpet for Your Home

There are three crucial factors to consider when picking the best affordable polyester carpet for any home or office: Twist level, face weight, and stain treatment.

Twist Level: Refers to how tight the fibers are twisted together. Tightly twisted carpet fibers are less prone to crushing and matting; they're more resilient and last longer.

Face weight: Refers to the fibers' density. The denser the carpet fibers, the more durable they are; hence, they last longer.

Stain-resistant: For parents with young families and pets who cannot afford nylon carpets, choose polyester carpets treated with stain-resistant treatment. Be warned that they may emit Volatile Organic Compounds (VCOs), which could threaten you, your family, and your pets.

Is Polyester Carpet Hard to Clean?

Polyester carpets are not hard to clean, but you need expertise to avoid damaging the fibers, as high heat settings could damage them.

Fix spills and messes immediately. If you're dealing with a cat mess, check out our guides on how to clean cat vomit out of carpets.

You can also check out our article on how to get cat pee out of carpets.

Vacuum the carpet to remove dirt, debris, and dust. Use a vacuum with good suction and repeatedly go over each area of the carpet to pick up all dust, debris, and other foreign particles.

A wet-and-dry vacuum can help periodically semi-wash your polyester carpet to keep it clean, dust-free, and bacteria-free.

After cleaning your carpet, you can spray on a carpet protector to keep it clean longer.

If you've not cleaned a polyester carpet previously, try out a small, hidden section.

The best risk-free option is to hire Zerorez, to clean the carpet for you.

Polyester carpets are easy to clean and maintain, but they also need deep cleaning once or twice a year based on the traffic in your home.

Zerorez Professional Polyester Carpet Cleaning Services

At Zerorez, we offer professional carpet cleaning services. Our team has the expertise to clean ALL types of carpets.

We also offer other professional services, such as hardwood floor, tile, and upholstery cleaning.

Schedule your appointment with Zerorez today!