Traffic Patterns
Have you ever noticed how your carpet appears dirtier in commonwalkways of your home? What causes those ugly traffic patterns and
how can you prevent them? To understand the problem, we first need to
understand what carpet is made of and how it can be damaged over time.
90% of carpet in homes today is created from synthetic fibers. Although there
are different types of synthetic fibers (nylon, olefin, polyester, etc.), they are all plastic
based materials. These plastic based fibers can become dull and damaged if not taken care of properly.
Plastic and Dirt Don't Mix
Imagine a smooth, clear plastic surface such as plexiglass. If you were to take sandpaper to the surface, the plastic would no longer be smooth and clear. The plastic would become rough and cloudy. The same thing happens to your carpet. Dirt, dust and soil get in your carpet and with a little friction (walking), begin to break down and damage the fibers of your carpet. This results in carpet that appears dull and faded. While carpet cleaning cannot repair damaged carpet fibers, the good news is that it can dramatically improve the appearance of the traffic patterns and can prevent future damage.
The Solution
Several things can be done to help keep dirt out of your carpet and prevent the formation of traffic patterns:
1. One of the most effective ways to keep dirt out of your carpet is to remove your shoes when entering your home. This can greatly reduce the amount of soil in your carpet. However, this may not be practical or suitable solution for everyone.
2. Typically, traffic patterns will be the most prominent in areas where hard surfaces meet your carpet. Keeping the hard surfaces clean in your home will prevent dust from collecting on your feet and being deposited in your carpet.
3. No matter how hard you try; dirt, dust, and soil are still going to collect in your carpet. This makes regular vacuuming one of the most important steps to preventing traffic patterns. Regular vacuuming can remove more than half of the soil that collects in your carpet
4. The rest of the soil can be removed through carpet cleaning. Regular carpet cleaning is much more effective when combined with the preventative care listed above. It is essential to have your carpet cleaned every 6-18 months (depending on usage) to remove soil that regular vacuuming cannot eliminate and to prevent wear and tear on your carpet.
5. After carpet cleaning, a carpet protector should be applied to your carpet. This will provide a protective coating to the carpet fibers that will prevent soil and spills from causing abrasion and staining.
With time and use, all carpet will begin to develop traffic patterns. However, proper care can improve the look and life of your carpet for many years. If your carpet is beginning to develop traffic patterns, give us a call and we would be happy to come help!