4 Myths about Wall-to-Wall Carpets Busted

Misinformation mostly distributed by word of mouth eventually becomes the truth in one’s mind after having heard it several times. We take a look at some of the myths about luxury wall-to-wall carpets, helping to bust them and set the record straight.

Myth 1: Nylon carpets soil easily

It is not the nylon that becomes dirty quickly. The wall-to-wall carpet appears dirty faster if it is an impractical colour. If you, for instance, have a bright white carpet installed on the stairs, or in the hallway where a lot of foot traffic is anticipated, you can expect the carpet to show signs of dirt faster than a slightly darker or patterned carpet. Choose a sensible colour carpet for the particular area in the house. A plush, long-fibre, luxury white carpet that is soft underfoot is well suited to the guestroom or the main bedroom, but will certainly not be sensible in the family living room, the hallway, or on the stairs.

Myth 2: Mould grows on wall-to-wall carpets

Untrue if the carpet is not continuously exposed to moisture from the sub-floor or to repeated water ingress. Unless the house has been flooded and not cleaned properly afterwards, the carpet is not a source of mould growth. For mould to grow, there must be enough moisture and the temperature must be favourable as well.

Most homes do not have excessive levels of moisture or damp. However, if this is the case because of water underneath the house, the origin of the problem should be addressed. Proper sub-surface treatment is essential with wall-to-wall carpet installation and that is why it is important to make use of a professional carpet installation team. If there is no mould growth in the cupboards or on the walls, the carpets should be clear of mould as well. If there is a mould problem in the house, moisture is the culprit and not the carpets, and the moisture problem should be addressed.

Myth 3: Many carpets still contain formaldehyde

Unless we time travel back in time 50 years or more, the statement is false. No wall-to-wall carpet since the late seventies contains any formaldehyde at all. It was only used by a few manufacturers in those years as a hardening agent. Modern carpets do not contain the resin.

Myth 4: It is better to buy a thick carpet if you want durability

Though a thick carpet is certainly softer in many instances, the truth is that thickness does not determine the durability of the wall-to-wall carpet. The density of the yarn is what is important for durability. Keep in mind that carpets with a thicker or longer yarn are more likely to show footprints. Thin carpets with high-density fibres can be more durable than thick, long-yarn carpets. It is best to speak to our consultants regarding the durability properties of the carpets you are interested in. Also keep in mind that a more expensive carpet does not necessarily equate to a more durable one.

Ask our consultants to help you select wall-to-wall luxury carpets that will meet your requirements for durability in the areas where you want to install them.