Eco-Friendly Carpet

About Eco-Friendly Carpet

Looking to go green but still want the comfort of a luxuriously soft carpet? Don't worry, there's a product out there for you! Carpet serves as a staple in millions of homes, providing a comfortable, durable flooring option at an affordable cost. In the past few decades, manufacturers have improved their production practices. More eco-friendly carpet brands are making a positive impact by causing less harm on the environment.

When carpets were first introduced, factories used more chemicals and adhesives in their manufacturing processes. If you think back, you can probably remember the not-so-chic carpet your grandma had when you were growing up, but did you know that many of those old-school carpets also released harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) over time? This off-gassing led to reduced indoor air quality and worsened respiratory issues like asthma and allergies.

Fortunately, with the help of ever-evolving technology, you now have more eco-friendly carpet options to choose from, such as:

• Triexta
• PET polyester
• Natural fibers

Triexta

Triexta hit the market in 2009 as a type of environmentally-friendly polyester often sold as Sorona. It's created from 37% corn glucose and involves fewer chemicals. How does that affect you? It means less off-gassing after installation, giving your home a healthier flooring option. 

Triexta fiber is fade resistant and incredibly durable, easily withstanding the activity that comes with your full household. Its hydrophobic properties repel moisture, mildew, and mold, making it easy to clean and perfect for pet-friendly homes. 

PET polyester

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is an eco-friendly version of polyester fibers derived from recycled plastic containers. If you’re looking for an eco-friendly carpet, PET polyester just might be the ideal solution in your home. Plus, you can feel good knowing that you’re helping divert millions of pounds of plastic from landfills. 

PET polyester carpeting is resilient enough for your low to medium-traffic areas, such as bedrooms, finished basements, and playrooms. Like triexta, PET polyester also repels water and resists stains, so you can spend less time cleaning up after your children and more time playing with them.

Natural fibers

A few renewable materials make excellent green flooring options, including wool, bamboo, sisal, and jute. They require little to no chemicals to grow and they’re gentle on the planet, as they naturally break down in landfills once they've served their purpose. 

Appearance

When it comes to choosing an eco-friendly carpet for your home, you won’t have to worry about limited style choices or materials. The colors, styles, and patterns available from eco-friendly carpet brands vary, with neutral hues taking the spotlight no matter the carpet style. 

Durability

You don't have to give up durability for the sake of the environment. The natural and synthetic fibers that are most eco-friendly are as durable as they come. Nylon and triexta have similar levels of resilience, holding up to your family's daily ins and outs with minimal visible wear. 

How to Clean Eco-Friendly Carpet

Fortunately for you, taking care of an eco-friendly carpet is just like maintaining any other carpet. 

• You should begin with routine vacuuming, at least once a week to remove dust, dirt, pet dander, and other allergens. 
• For deeper, eco-friendly carpet cleaning, steam treatment is often the way to go depending on your product’s care instructions. 

Not sure what a steam clean is? In this process, hot steam penetrates the carpet fibers to release dirt and grime. In some cases, an eco-friendly carpet cleaner may be added, but you should always check with your carpet manufacturer’s specific warranty guidelines first.  

Lifespan

Going green doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your product’s lifespan! The best eco-friendly carpet lasts as long as standard carpet. Several variables can influence your carpet's longevity, including how much foot traffic it receives, if it was installed properly, and how diligently it's cleaned. 

Get the most from your eco-friendly carpet by following the manufacturer's instructions. 

Installation

Installing eco-friendly carpet requires time, strength, and patience. The process is simple but not necessarily easy, which is largely why we recommend hiring professional installers. Seasoned experts will have the right tools for the job and if adhesive is needed, they can find alternatives with low to no VOCs. In the end, professional carpet installers will ensure an efficient and proper installation that won't void your warranty.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the most eco-friendly carpet?

The most eco-friendly carpet is one made of natural resources and few, if any, chemicals. Wool carpeting falls into this category, as it's renewable and sustainable, not to mention it gorgeously elevates your home design with its soft fibers. 

Is there an environmentally friendly carpet?

Yes! Carpets made from natural resources like wool, jute, sisal, and organic cotton are much better options for the environment. If you’re looking for a synthetic carpet material, check out carpets that incorporate recycled materials, such as PET carpets made from plastic bottles, which are also eco-friendly. 

Thanks to the Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) more than 4 billion pounds of carpet have been diverted from landfills since the group was organized in 2002.

Is nylon carpet eco-friendly?

Nylon carpeting isn't entirely eco-friendly, but it does have a decreased environmental impact compared to some other fiber options. Why, you ask? Because it's recyclable, long-lasting, and lightweight.

What are some environmentally friendly alternatives to carpet?

Solid hardwood floors are often considered better for the environment since they can last a lifetime and biodegrade. When shopping for eco-friendly hardwood flooring, look for The Forest Stewardship Council's (FSC) stamp of approval which indicates that your product is sourced from sustainably managed forests.