Berber carpets date back to prehistoric times. The typical weave of this carpet has made to a favorite of the discerning home owner. Many homeowners prefer the Berber carpet over hardwood flooring because of the soft feel and elegance that a good quality carpet brings to a house. While Berber carpets impart a warm and comfortable feeling to any home, like all good things in life they demand a certain amount of care and maintenance to ensure that they continue to be the jewel in the house for years together. The loops of the Berber carpet are larger at the tips. This gives the carpet its peculiar grace but it also makes the carpet difficult to clean or to remove stains. Since installing a good quality Berber carpet in the house is a significant investment, it is prudent to invest some time and energy in ensuring its cleanliness.

Buying the Right Berber Carpet

Berber carpets are made from wool, nylon, olefins and many other chemical blends . Wool and camel hair are the traditional materials used to manufacture Berber carpets and are unsurpassed in both their beauty and are also the best when it comes to cleaning and care. Nylon carpets are second only to wool carpets when evaluated on the ease of cleaning index. Some of the more recent chemical blends may not be as easy to clean. While it may be possible to use strong chemical bleaches on the more recent blends these chemicals are difficult to get rid off and may permanently damage the carpet. Wool and nylon carpets are thus the best choice when it comes to choosing the right Berber carpet. Remember, well begun is half done.

Berber Carpet Care – Prevention is better than Cure

• Managing dirty shoes – Dirty shoes are the worst enemies of any Berber carpet. It is best to enforce a ‘leave the shoes at the door’ policy in any home with Berber carpets. This will keep oil, grime and sundry stains caused by dirty shoes at bay. A door mat outside the door is also a good idea.
• Do not feed the carpet – If you have invested in an expensive Berber carpet it is advisable to ensure that family members do not eat or drink on the carpet. However careful one may be, it is almost impossible to prevent accidental spillage on the carpet. Unlike some other flooring options like vinyl tiles Berber carpets stain easily and the stains are difficult to remove.
• Spilled something – clean it now! – It is best to wipe any stains on the carpet immediately. If the stain gets in to the fabric of the carpet it can be very difficult to remove. Remember that the carpet is made of fiber and it is not possible to use harsh bleaches and chemical cleaners on the carpet to get off stains. When wiping a wet stain it is better to blot the liquid with a dry cloth or a tissue paper instead of wiping.
• Regular vacuuming – It is vital to regularly vacuum a Berber carpet to prevent the accumulation of dust and mites in the carpet. The Berber carpet traps dust and keeps it close to the floor; in the process improving the air quality in a house. Regular vacuuming ensures that the dust is removed from the house and does not stay in the carpet.

The Berber carpet calls for periodical professional cleaning. A professional is equipped with both – the knowledge and the tools to clean a Berber carpet thoroughly. The carpet is essentially a piece of fabric and unlike some types of stone and tile flooring , it is not advisable to use bleaches and common chemical detergents on the Berber carpet. The Berber carpet traps dirt and particulate matter and provides clean air to the lungs, soft support under tired soles and warmth to the soul. A little care in return ensures that it continue to do its job effectively for a long time.

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