Your Questions Answered
If you have a question that is not answered on this FAQs page, please contact the manufacturer’s call center with your specific question. You can find a list of our member companies here.
Carpet
Regardless of which fiber you choose, the construction of the carpet is what makes carpet durable. For durable, heavy traffic carpet you want to look for a dense construction (you don’t want to be able to easily see, or feel the backing of the carpet through the fiber). Shorter pile heights perform better in heavy traffic areas (like entryways, stairs, halls, playrooms) so choosing a pile height with a ½ of an inch or less will be more durable. If choosing a cut pile carpet, a tighter twist will be more durable than a looser twist. If choosing a Berber carpet, the smaller tighter loops will be more durable than the larger looser loop.
If ventilating and vacuuming doesn’t help try to have a hot water extraction done on the new carpet.
Some manufactures choose to use a generic label rather than CRI’s green and white label. Both labels mean the same, that the carpet is an extremely low-VOC product.
With all the odors of a new construction, it’s hard to tell what is specifically causing a reaction. The best way to eliminate all the new odors is to open the windows and ventilate for approximately 48 to 72 hours.
Absolutely not! Most “off-gassing” of new carpet is complete within the first 24 hours or so. Properly ventilate with good air exchange for approximately 48 to 72 hours. The new carpet smell should dissipate within this time.
Carpet Care
Carpet that is wet cleaned should be dry within 12 hours. Carpet that is properly extraction-cleaned should not be wet long enough to mold.
Maintenance adds to the life of your carpet. Carpet should always be cleaned the way the manufacturer specifies approximately every 12 to 18 months.
It’s best to vacuum your carpet at least twice a week. If you can’t vacuum your entire house this often, at least vacuum the high traffic areas twice a week.
Indoor Air Quality - Adhesive Section
Regardless of which fiber you choose, the construction of the carpet is what makes carpet durable. For durable, heavy traffic carpet you want to look for a dense construction (you don’t want to be able to easily see, or feel the backing of the carpet through the fiber). Shorter pile heights perform better in heavy traffic areas (like entryways, stairs, halls, playrooms) so choosing a pile height with a ½ of an inch or less will be more durable. If choosing a cut pile carpet, a tighter twist will be more durable than a looser twist. If choosing a Berber carpet, the smaller tighter loops will be more durable than the larger looser loop.
Indoor Air Quality - Asthma Section
Carpet that is wet cleaned should be dry within 12 hours. Carpet that is properly extraction-cleaned should not be wet long enough to mold.
Indoor Air Quality - Cushion Section
Look for the green and white Green Label Plus logo on the sample cushion. This means that the cushion has the lowest possible chemical emissions. Upon initial installation of carpet and cushion, have good ventilation and air exchange for approximately 48 to 72 hours. This will take care of most odors associated with the installation.
Cut pile carpet should have a firm cushion that is no thicker than 7/16 of an inch. Berber carpet and most commercial carpet should have a very firm cushion no thicker than 3/8 of an inch. Carpet manufacturers have recommendations for cushion specifications.
Indoor Air Quality - Vacuum Section
Use a vacuum that has been tested and approved under CRI’s Seal of Approval / Green Label program for vacuums. The SOA/GL program tests for soil removal, dust containment and carpet appearance retention.
It is recommended for wool carpets to use a vacuum cleaner that has suction only.
Not necessarily. Look for vacuums carrying the CRI Seal of Approval/Green Label vacuum cleaner testing program label. Many vacuums in the CRI SOA/GL program are not HEPA filter units, yet are very effective at dust containment. HEPA filters may add additional cost to the overall operational cost of the vacuum.
Installation
No seam is completely invisible. Seams should be kept to a minimum, running the length of the area and making sure that natural light will not hit across the seam.
It’s possible that the seams weren’t sealed. All cut edges of the two pieces used to make the seam should be sealed to prevent problems like this.
Several things can cause buckling, including improper installation, the wrong cushion, moving furniture or high humidity. When having your carpet re-stretched, be sure all the furniture is removed from the room and the carpet is power stretched very tightly in all four directions. There are technical bulletins available on this website that address both carpet wrinkling and restretching.
Manufacturers specify that all carpet seams must be sealed.
Carpet cushion is the life of the carpet. Except for direct glue-down carpet, we recommend always using carpet cushion. Be sure and check with the carpet manufacturer to find out what their cushion requirements are.
It’s recommended to have the carpet pile going up the stairs to help prevent slip/fall accidents.
This is not a recommended procedure and may change the integrity of the backing components, resulting in wrinkling and buckling.
Mold - Water Damage
Extract the water professionally and have drying fans set up and operating, ideally, within 24 hours. It’s best to use a professional that is trained in water restoration in order to ensure carpet, pad & sub-floor are completely dried. If the carpet is contaminated with mud, sewage, or other contaminants, it is recommended to properly dispose of carpet and pad.
Generally yes; although, some newly developed restoration procedures may be able to salvage the cushion. Wet carpet cushion is very difficult to adequately dry quickly.
Have your carpet professionally cleaned. Mold does not grow on the carpet, but rather on the dirt on the carpet. Additionally, locate and repair the source of the moisture. It is best to call a professional water restoration cleaner in order to ensure all mold is eliminated.
We don’t recommend trying to save sewage contaminated carpet. Highly absorbent materials such as carpet and pad cannot be washed in hot (130 degrees F) for at least 10 minutes. This contaminated material should be properly disposed of by a trained restoration professional.
Anything can mold as long as there is moisture or a food source. However, carpet that is kept clean and dry, including carpets made of natural fibers such as wool, shouldn’t have a mold problem.
