Hand-woven rugs and carpets are some of the finest accessories you can add to a room. Not only do they make for functional items at home, but they also serve as pieces of artwork, and even as conversational pieces for your guests. However, most hand-woven or hand-spun carpets and rugs come with high price tags. Add to this the fact that they’re often made of natural materials like wool, fur or hide and you have an expensive household item.
Thankfully, Berber carpets have found their way into the market. While they used to be produced only of wool to stay close to their Northern African roots, they now come in synthetic fibers such as nylon and polypropylene. Gone also are the days when they were only designed with light, neutral colors and shades. They now come in dark hues that perfectly accent a light-colored living room and give it a touch of coziness.
However, even with the changes in the production of these carpets, there are still homeowners who find frustration in maintaining their Berber carpets. If you’re one of them, read on to find out the facts behind this mind-boggling item.
No Footprints
Any Berber carpet is made of rugged looped fibers that run in parallel lines. These loops are only short so even if you place this carpet in a high-traffic area, it doesn’t show any footprints, nor get worn out easily.
Now or Never
The same short loop of the fibers is the reason why you should vacuum your Berber carpet regularly. You should make it a habit to check if it has some dirt, particularly soil that sits on its top surface. Otherwise, you’ll have a harder time cleaning your carpet once the dirt has found its way deeper into the material.
The Power of Polypropylene
Let’s face it, you don’t have that extra time to check every hour or so if new dirt has settled on top of your Berber carpet. You’re better off investing in a Berber carpet that’s made of Olefin. This material is a kind of polypropylene that is highly resistant to chemicals, moisture, stains, soil and other forms of dirt.