Carpet Network Blog – “What’s Under Foot”

Posts Tagged Carpet

World Record for a Pie Fight?

Jan 13

Posted by admin in Carpet, Helpful Product Information

Carpet Network is proud to be associated with the largest and most innovative flooring manufacturers who will go to extreme lengths to prove that their flooring can withstand the unthinkable!

SmartStrand-Rhino-Challenge

You remember in August, Mohawk had Ricko the Rhino live on their SmartStrand Carpet and after that time, a lucky team got to clean the carpet and it looked like new.  The product is amazing!  You can check out the SmartStrand Challenge here.

Most recently, Shaw Floors set a world record but not for producing the most carpet or anything even remotely related to flooring.  Their Guinness Book of World Records is for the largest pie fight!  Yes, I said Pie Fight!  The event had over 400 participants and 1,200 cherry, chocolate and apple pies.  Yum!

pie fight

The January 7th event was coordinated to promote its Anso nylon products.  Anso nylon is known for its durability and ease of cleaning but this event gave Anso nylon a new name.

After 3,000 pounds of pies had been thrown, trampled and ground into the carpet, Shaws cleaning team got to work and made it look like new.  I think this product would make it in my house with two kids and two dogs!

Check out the video and see how the Anso Nylon carpet looks like new after a thorough cleaning.

pie fight floor

What a mess!

This blog is brought to you by the people of Carpet Network.

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Allergy Friendly – Carpet

May 5

Posted by Christine Rankin in Carpet, Green Solutions

Studies have shown that carpet is better at trapping allergens than hard surface, such as tile or hardwood, because carpet fibers catch particles and allergens that fall to the floor. When allergens are trapped in the carpet, they cannot circulate in the air to breathe. Proper cleaning is performed with a vacuum that effectively sucks up dirt and dust from the carpet, locks it in the machine and keeps it out of the air.Sometimes, new carpet may also have a “new carpet smell.”  Scientific studies show that new carpet is one of the lowest emitters of VOCs into the indoor environment. In fact, carpet emits less VOCs than other products such as paint. Further, these emissions clear very quickly. The low-level VOC emissions and the harmless odor from new carpet dissipate within the first 48 to 72 hours after installation – even sooner with the ventilation of fans, open windows or doors.

The Carpet and Rug Institute offers Green Label and Green Label Plus testing and certification to indicate carpet, carpet backings, cushions and adhesives that emit low VOCs. In fact, the Green Label carpet program has such a positive impact on the indoor environment that the American Lung Association approves its use in its Healthy Homes programs. Additionally, the Green Label Plus program’s tough standards exceed the green building requirements dictated by California schools.

So if you are concerned about asthma, allergies or VOCs, be sure to ask about Green Label and Green Label Plus carpet, cushion and adhesive options.

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What is CARE?

Mar 23

Posted by Christine Rankin in Green Solutions

Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) is a joint industry-government effort to increase the amount of recycling and reuse of post-consumer carpet and reduce the amount of waste carpet going to landfills. CARE increased its carpet collection sites from 37 in 2006 to 56 last year. CARE reported for 2007, 296 million pounds of carpet were diverted from landfills (a 17% increase from 2006) and 275.1 million pounds were recycled (a 19% increase from 2006.)

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This will really color your thinking

Mar 9

Posted by admin in Color and Design

Color has a big impact on any room in the home. Carpet covers a large area of any room, so it’s important to keep some basic rules in mind when selecting your carpeting.

An important consideration to keep in mind is how the color of carpet affects the apparent size of the room. Lighter colored carpet will usually visually expand the room. Darker carpeting will seem to bring the walls closer together, and create a more intimate feeling.

Neutral colors are the best choice if you expect to frequently change the decorating scheme, or if you’re trying to incorporate a lot of existing furniture. Using a neutral colored, good quality carpet is a good idea if the home will be resold any time soon. It’s easier for a prospective buyer to imagine their furniture in a room that is decorated with neutral colors.

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What, exactly, do you mean by “green”?

Nov 17

Posted by Christine Rankin in Green Solutions

There is no question that the floor covering industry is being affected by a desire to be green.  Overall, the industry is responding positively, with products like carpet, hardwood, laminate, linoleum and cork, each offering different attributes that respond to the desire for a green floor.  However, there is no one “perfect green product”.  Some floors may contain recycled content or resouces that rapidly renew.  On the other hand, some of these products may not be made domestically and are transported from across the globe.  It helps to think of products as being “greener” than one another.

Research tells us that there are six key factors people consider in making environmentally responsible and healthful flooring choices:  Indoor Air Quality, Raw Materials, Product Life Cycle, Installation, Manufacturing Processes and Maintenance.  While no product can meet all these criteria, almost every floor will address one or two of these areas. A well informed dealer can explain how products score in each category.

As retailers, we need to understand what consumers really want when they ask for green products.  We need to educate them through the product choices and explain responsibly.  We need to provide the facts that help our customers make well-informed decisions.

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Tips on Selecting Carpet Cushion

Jun 23

Posted by admin in Carpet

A good quality carpet cushion is a wise investment. It adds considerably to the beauty, comfort and durability of your carpet. Often, cushion will be included in the price of the carpet. Ask to see what other options are available. Carpet and cushion provide a system that enhances the performance that you can expect. A low-grade, low-density cushion just doesn’t support carpet very well. If it doesn’t provide adequate support, the carpet could wear out prematurely. A cushion that is too thick or too soft can actually reduce the life of your carpet or cause difficulty walking across it. In general, a thinner (no more than 7/16″), denser pad will prevent undue wear on the carpet.

Cushion is described at retail in terms of pounds, e.g., 4 lb., 6 lb., 8 lb., etc. The term ‘pounds’ here refers to pounds per cubic foot.

Rooms subject to heavy wear will require a dense pad that is less susceptible to break down over time, while rooms with lighter use can get by with something less dense.

Carpet construction affects the choice of proper cushion. A looped carpet needs a dense and firm underlayment while a cut pile construction can utilize something a bit more luxurious.

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Carpet Maintenance Tips

May 28

Posted by admin in Carpet, Maintenance

There are three key steps in a proper maintenance plan:

1. Frequent and thorough vacuuming

a. Vacuuming removes dirt that dulls appearance
b. Select a vacuum with good suction and strong beater bars, which brush the carpet and loosen dirt
c. Change vacuum bags and filters regularly

2. Clean spills promptly

a. Follow specific directions supplied online at www.stainmaster.com, www.weardated.com or www.ansosmartcare.com.

3. Professional carpet cleanings at least annually

a. To maintain your texture retention warranty, you need to have a professional steam cleaning/ hot water extraction at least every 18-24 months.
b. Fiber manufacturers and carpet mills recommend that you consult the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration (IICRC) at 1-800-835-4624 or access their website at www.IICRC.org

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Carpet and Clean Air

Apr 21

Posted by Christine Rankin in Carpet, Green Solutions

Although we might not normally associate carpet with improved indoor air quality, it does have a very positive effect. A misperception is that people with asthma and allergies should avoid carpet in the home. But much of today’s carpet is made from harmless materials found in clothing and other everyday fabrics, such as polyester, nylon and olefin fibers, which don’t trouble most people.  Gravity causes common household particles, such as dust, pollen and pet and insect dander, to fall to the floor. Carpet fibers trap the particles, reducing their continued circulation in the air. Proper cleaning with Carpet & Rug Institute approved vacuums effectively removes dust and allergens from the carpet, locks them in the machine and helps keep them out of the air we breathe.  For more information about indoor air quality, go to [www.carpet-rug.org]

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