Wool or Nylon Carpet?

Nylon and wool carpets are the most preferred and purchased for various reasons: Both fibers are of great quality and are durable. One is synthetic (nylon), while the other (wool) is a natural fiber. This explains why choosing between wool and nylon carpets, is confusing, if you don't know much about their strengths and weaknesses.

Wool or nylon carpet: which one is best for your home or office?

Nylon carpets are durable and resilient because they're made from synthetic fiber. Hence, they're good for high-foot traffic areas. On the other hand, wool carpets are durable and sourced from sheep, explaining why they offer comfort and a luxurious feel.

We shall look at the advantages and disadvantages of both carpets, their cost, and more to help you decide which is the right one for your flooring.

Read on.

Wool or Nylon Carpet: Which Is Better?

The debate on what is better carpet—wool or nylon—has been on the internet for decades.

While nylon is a synthetic material that lasts long, wool is also long-lasting and luxurious. So, what is better, nylon or wool carpet?

Both carpets are top-quality, comfortable, and durable, so choosing between wool vs. nylon carpets depends on your needs and the environment.

Consider your lifestyle, priorities, and budget. For example, if you're on a tight budget but want something that will last a decade or longer, choose nylon carpets. If you're a pet lover or have a young family, nylon carpets should be your favorite because they are easy to maintain and clean.

Choose wool carpets if you want something luxurious, eco-friendly, biodegradable, and natural and have a good budget.

Let's take a deeper look at both carpets to determine their differences.

Nylon vs. Wool Carpet Comparison

Longevity and Durability

Nylon and wool are durable fibers; you can install them in high-traffic areas such as the kitchen and living room.

After about 7 to 15 years, nylon starts to show wear and tear, especially under high traffic, and may also start losing its shape.

Wool lasts over 15 years under good maintenance. Even in high-traffic areas, wool always bounces back.

If you're wondering if you should buy wool or nylon, wool is your best companion if you want a carpet that lasts more than 15 years.

Environmentally Friendly

Some nylon carpets are treated or manufactured using chemicals that aren't environmentally friendly and could cause health problems when inhaled.

Nylon carpets that release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) could threaten the lives of the elderly with underlying health conditions, children, and people with allergies.

People with no underlying health conditions could also be at risk of eye, throat, and nose irritation, among other short-term or long-term health complications.

Though wool also emits VOCs, it's hypoallergenic, trapping allergens and dust and improving overall air quality in your home or office. It's a great choice for people with allergies.

Though wool wins, it's important to note that you must look for the Green Label Plus when buying wool or nylon carpets. Carpets with the green label plus emit zero or low VOCs and are safe to install.

Comfort

Soft carpets are comfortable to walk on. Nylon is soft but not as soft as wool. So, is wool better than nylon? In terms of comfort, wool is better than nylon because it's softer and offers more relaxation and better insulation than nylon.

Wool carpets keep a room warm. That's why they're perfect for living rooms and bedrooms, especially in winter.

Sustainability

Wool is a natural product and is biodegradable, lowering its environmental impact. Nylon is not biodegradable; decomposing can take 30 to 40 years.

With technological advancements, manufacturers are improving the eco-friendliness of nylon fibers by providing recycled nylon alternatives.

Maintenance

Nylon carpets resist stains and mildew better than wool carpets. If you spill black coffee, milk, wine, or any other beverage, you can wipe it immediately without worrying about staining the carpet. Soapy hot water will have the job done in just a few minutes.

Wool carpets are absorbent. They quickly absorb wine, milk, and other spillages, making carpet cleaning more difficult. Wool carpets may also attract insects and mildew.

If you're looking for a carpet with little maintenance, consider nylon carpets.

Color Retention

Nylon retains its color for many years. Its ability to resist fading (if not constantly exposed to sunlight) makes it possible to retain light or bold colors for years. Though its color still holds, wool is more prone to fading than nylon.

How to Tell if Carpet Is Wool or Nylon

Different fibers have different characteristics, including wool and nylon. Knowing and understanding the type of material your carpet is made of is crucial as it helps you know how to clean it in case of spills and other messes.

You'll also be able to know how best to take care of it to prevent premature wear and tear. You'll also know the best cleaning products and methods for your carpet type.

Do a burn test to tell if a carpet is wool or nylon.

Burn Test

Remove a single strand from the carpet, use a tweezer to hold the fiber to prevent burning your fingers, and then use a lighter to burn it.

If the strand seems to move away from the fire, your carpet is made of nylon. Other synthetic fibers, such as Olefin and polyester, behave similarly.

When you burn nylon fibers, the tip of the flame is orange, while the base is blue with no smoke unless extinguished. As the flame sputters, you'll notice a waxy smell that leaves behind a hard, brown, or grey round bead.

Your carpet is made of wool if the fiber doesn't seem to move away from the fire. When wool burns, it emits an odor similar to burning hair. An orange hue with little or zero smoke characterizes its flame.

To clear any doubts, crush the burnt strand with your fingers. If you notice a soft, black ash residue between your fingers, your carpet is likely made of wool. If there's no noticeable residue between your fingers, it's a nylon carpet.

Cost of Wool Versus Nylon Carpet

Wool is a luxurious investment and costs more than nylon due to the scarcity of the natural material. If you're on a tight budget, choose nylon carpets. They're still durable and comfortable, though not as luxurious as woolen carpets.

Wool carpets prices can range between $140 to $500, while nylon carpets range between $125 to $300 per broadloom meter.

The above cost is just an estimate; it could go up or down depending on where you buy the carpet. We've not included the installation and padding costs; remember to account for that.

Cleaning Wool vs. Nylon Carpet

Nylon carpets are among the most recommended residential carpets due to their ability to resist stains. This characteristic makes them easy to clean and maintain, making them great for young families.

Nylon carpets also respond well to all cleaning methods, including hot water extraction, shampooing, and bonnet buffing.

Be careful with the types of products you use on nylon and woolen carpets; some can damage the fibers. Harsh chemicals such as chlorine bleach dissolve wool fibers.

Always exercise extreme caution when choosing cleaning products for your wool or nylon carpets to avoid color shift, fiber damage, and shrinkage.

The cleaning method also matters because wool, for example, is highly absorbent, making it more susceptible to mold and mildew. This is why it's best to hire professional wool carpet cleaners who won't overwet the carpet, leaving it damp for too long.

For example, after cleaning your carpet, we usually use our Zr Wand® to extract excessive water, shortening the drying time by several hours. This leaves minimal chances for mildew and mold growth.

Nylon Wool Blend Carpet (80% Wool, 20% Nylon)

If you want to enjoy the benefits of wool and nylon, you can buy a nylon wool blend carpet with a composition of 80% wool and 20% nylon.

Nylon wool blend carpets offer great durability and softness. These carpets retain their comfort and appearance for years, even under high traffic. They're more affordable than wool carpets and easy to clean and maintain.

You can get them in diverse colors and designs to match any office or house aesthetic.

Renew and Refresh Your Wool or Nylon Carpet With Zerorez!

Wool, nylon, wool nylon blend, and all other carpets need regular and annual professional deep cleaning to keep them in their best condition.

At Zerorez, we offer exceptional carpet cleaning services to help remove debris, dirt, dust, and stubborn stains from your carpets. We use Zr Water®, which is safe for you and your pets.

You can reach out to various franchise locations for carpet cleaning services.

Zerorez offers the best, affordable, and cleanest carpets in the United States.

Call us now for exceptional services.