When it comes to choosing a carpet, there are many things that you should consider including, the material, sound absorption, and the carpets design among other factors. A carpet can transform the look and feel of a room in an instant. This article discusses the difference between wool carpet vs synthetic carpet and which one might suit your needs.
Differences Between A Wool and Synthetic Carpet
Whenever you’re making a decision to buy a carpet for the first time or if just want to upgrade, you want a carpet that will feel soft and firm to your feet while protecting your flooring material. Wool is a natural fibre that is preferred for its sturdiness and durability. Wool carpets can either be made purely from wool or blended with polypropylene and nylon to make them more resilient to wear. On the other hand, synthetic carpets made from materials such as polypropylene and nylon are considered better for areas that receive frequent spills. They are made from man-made fibre as opposed to wool carpets. When choosing which one to buy between wool carpet vs synthetic carpet, these are some of the factors to consider:
Cost and Durability
Wool carpets are the best when it comes to quality and thus they are quite expensive. Since they are made from natural materials, they last longer and are very strong. They are also known to retain their look longer than their synthetic counterparts. However, they require added protection especially from direct sunlight since it might lead to fibre degradation over time. Also, they are fire retardant and often extinguish on their own. Despite all these great qualities, their price tags discourage many buyers.
In the UK, 65% of carpets are made of nylon. These are more durable than any other synthetic carpets. Their price tags are also on the higher side when compared to other synthetic materials. Manufacturers use special dyes on these nylon carpets to make them less likely to be damaged by sun rays. They also burn slowly and extinguish on their own just like wool carpets.
If therefore you are working with a tight budget, consider buying a nylon carpet. It might not be made from natural materials but it will serve you a bit longer than any other synthetic carpet.
Cleaning and Care
When it comes to cleaning, most wool carpet clean fairly easily as they are partially stain-resistant due to lanolin which is natural oil from sheep that it has in it. It is also porous by nature which is why you should avoid using any soil resistant protectants on it. The substance will only get in instead of protecting your precious carpet. To clean a wool carpet, the best way is using the steam cleaning method. It is very thorough as it extracts all the grease, grit and soil particles trapped under the carpet.
If you choose a nylon carpet, you do not have to worry about tedious cleaning. A nylon carpet can easily get cleaned with simple vacuuming. Since it is a nonporous fibre, it is neither affected by spills nor by stains. A nylon carpet is also moisture absorbency tolerant and can be cleaned using chemicals. It can, therefore, be cleaned effectively by most professional cleaning methods.
These are just a few factors to consider when deciding between a wool carpet vs synthetic carpet. However, they should act as a guideline to help you make an informed decision. The final decision lies in your hands.
