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Advice/Help on New Carpets (Stain-free) Please?

(8 Posts)
Candelle Tue 05-Jan-16 22:24:22

We need a new sitting room carpet and as we are becoming a bit doddery (shades of Mrs Overall re. tea and coffee etc!) and would love to have a pale colour, I have been wondering about 'Stain-free' carpets.

Back in the day, stain-free carpets were made of polypropylene and one could power a small town from the static electricity they generated. I understand they have improved significantly but can only find advertising blurb on them.

Would any real people, with a few years on their clocks, like us, be able to offer advice on these carpets? I am wondering if they really are stain-free, if that lasts and if the pile flattens faster than, say an '80/20' carpet.

Many thanks in advance for any advice or comments, good or bad!

Regards

Charleygirl Tue 05-Jan-16 22:30:13

It is a few years since I finally got rid of my pale green supposedly stain free carpet in my lounge and dining room. From memory it was 80/20 and to begin with it was easy to remove the spills or more specifically here, cat vomit. After a few years it came to the stage where I decided that I could no longer keep it clean so decided to have laminate floors laid and I have never regretted that decision. I got rid recently of my 100% wool stain fee large rug because even after professional cleaning the stains were impossible to move. Maybe others had different experiences but I would never have a carpet in my house.

Alea Tue 05-Jan-16 23:16:29

How about a sort of flecky beige/paw print/occasional tea spill colour? And have it Scotchgarded too.
Doesn't show much and like you I am sceptical of claims for "stain free".

Tegan Tue 05-Jan-16 23:24:49

The colour of my new carpet is 'Beaver'; slightly darker than the very pale carpets that are fashionable. I had my old carpet cleaned a couple of years back and the man who cleaned it said I was to always use the same carpet fitter as he'd never worked on a better fitted carpet. Said carpet fitter recommended a synthetic carpet that is bleachable; I said it surely wouldn't be as good as the wool carpet it was replacing and he said it would be better and just as hard wearing. Only problem I find is that mats slip around on top of it whereas nothing moved if placed on my old wool carpet. Other than that I totally trust his judgement.

Coolgran65 Tue 05-Jan-16 23:27:46

I have the same carpet on the stairs and in one bedroom. It's about 10 years old and still looks good. Not too pale, a sort of a wheat colour. It's not stain proof and was not expensive. Man made fibres.
Only problem is after about 8 years we moved the bedroom furniture and there are still indents in the carpet two years later.

80/20 is much better for uplifting dents etc but it's so expensive. I had 80/20 years ago and was mighty tired of it. It was still like new after 25 years and I got rid of it by moving house smile

Mainly I have wooden floors and wouldn't change them.Laminate is ok, just don't get the cheapest as it will scratch and chip too easily.

Eloethan Wed 06-Jan-16 00:59:08

We've always bought 80/20 carpets and have just changed our downstairs carpets after 11 years. We have a biggish dog and young grandchildren but the carpet was still in pretty good condition - we were just tired of the colour. I think if a carpet is hoovered regularly and small marks and stains dealt with immediately, it should look good for quite a while. I don't think I'd get a very pale carpet though. The one we've just had laid is a lightish, slightly flecked, beige.

Personally, although they are now very popular, I don't like the look or feel of synthetic carpets and don't think they look good for as long.

Jayh Wed 06-Jan-16 14:03:00

This is a timely post for me as I have a carpet fitter coming tomorrow to measure up for new carpets. I haven't chosen yet but the man in the shop did show me those stain proof carpets which he said could be cleaned with bleach but he said they did not keep their looks as well as wool carpets do. He also recommended a little cooperative that makes wool carpets at a very good price. It does not advertise and the quality is as good as the well known manufacturers. We may well chose them as DH does not like man made fibres. Unfortunately I can't remember the name of the cooperative but I can find out if anyone is interested.

aggie Wed 06-Jan-16 14:22:24

My living room carpet was laid when I was in hospital giving birth to my youngest ........ he is now 37 ! said carpet is not pretty , but it has worn so well that I am loth to tear it up , it is wool , warm and easily cleaned , and quite large .It would be very expensive to replace .... sigh ... I have had renovations done and dug up ceramic tiles in favour of good quality Vinyl in the bedroom , ensuite and kitchen .It has paid for itself already in that I have dropped cups , glasses and dishes , nothing has broken , so easily wiped and is warm underfoot when I get up in the night to OH and forget my slippers !!