Cleaning Natural vs. Synthetic Carpets: What's the Difference

Cleaning Natural vs. Synthetic Carpets: What's the Difference

28 December 2022
 Categories: , Blog


Did you know that natural and synthetic carpets require different cleaning methods? If you're considering cleaning your carpet yourself, you'll need to know and understand the difference between the two.

Whether you need to remove a stubborn stain or you simply want a fresh, clean look for your floors, here's what you need to know to make informed carpet cleaning decisions.

1. Cleaning products

Before you head out to buy carpet cleaner, bear in mind that natural and synthetic carpets will react differently to different products. In general, natural carpet fibres are more sensitive to harsh cleaning products. As such, it's usually best to go with a gentler fluid or wash from an organic or "green" brand.

That being said, synthetic carpets can also break down when they come into contact with certain chemicals. Bleach and acid-based cleaners, for example, can wreak havoc on a nylon carpet. To be on the safe side, check the product's packaging to see which carpets it's recommended for.

2. Stain resistance

Another major difference between natural and synthetic carpets is their level of stain resistance. Synthetic carpets are less likely to stain than natural carpets because they're usually made from non-porous fibres. These fibres don't absorb liquid in the same way, which prevents stains from taking hold.

As such, removing marks from synthetic carpets is generally easier than removing them from natural carpets. Natural fibres like wool and silk are highly absorbent, so they're likely to soak up anything you spill on them. This makes them more of a challenge when it comes to removing stains like wine.

3. Cleaning methods

The way you clean a carpet should also depend on the type of material its made from. Natural carpets usually require gentle cleaning methods, such as hot water extraction or shampooing.

On the other hand, synthetic carpets are usually best maintained using machine-based cleaning systems, which use agitation to lift out dirt and stains. If you harsh cleaning machines on natural carpets, however, you may damage the fibres and leave the carpet looking scruffy.

4. Drying time

Finally, there's the drying time. Natural carpets tend to take much longer to dry than synthetic carpets for the same reason they're less stain resistant—they absorb a lot of water. You'll need to thoroughly dry that water out if you want to prevent mould and mildew.

On the other hand, synthetic carpets tend to dry more quickly, so there's less work involved after the cleaning process. That being said, as a general rule of thumb, it's best to minimise drying time for all types of carpet.

Ultimately, there's a lot to learn when it comes to cleaning carpets. To avoid any mishaps, consider calling a professional carpet cleaning company. 

For more info about carpet cleaning, contact a local company. 

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