Polyester and PET Carpet: Soft, Colorful and Easy on the Budget

What Is Polyester Carpet?

Polyester is a synthetic fiber. Most polyester carpet is PET (polyethylene terephthalate), the same family of plastic used in drink bottles, and some PET carpet lines are made with recycled bottles. Triexta is a close cousin that the FTC recognizes as its own subclass of polyester.

You may also see PET polyester on a label. PET is the same plastic used in drink bottles, and some carpet lines are made partly from recycled bottles. It cleans and wears like other polyester, so the same care tips apply.

What Is Polyester Carpet Good At?

• Soft feel for the money. It often feels plusher than nylon at the same price.
• Rich, clear color that holds well.
• Water-based spills. The fiber doesn’t soak up water easily, so many liquid spills and pet accidents sit on the surface long enough to blot up.
• Mildew resistance, which helps in rooms that get damp.

What Are the Downsides of Polyester Carpet?

• Matting and crushing. Polyester has poor resilience, so the pile flattens over time in traffic lanes and in front of the sofa.
• Oily soil. The fiber attracts oil, including oils from bare feet, lotion and cooking grease, and that oil holds onto dust.
• Heat. Polyester melts at high heat, so a dropped curling iron, a cigarette or a space heater too close can leave a permanent scar.
• Long, strong sun can slowly break the fiber down, so blinds on west-facing windows help.

Why Do Polyester Traffic Lanes Turn Gray?

Two things happen at once. Oily soil sticks to the fiber and traps the fine caliche dust that blows in around San Angelo. At the same time the pile flattens, which changes how light hits it, so the lane looks darker even right after it’s cleaned. Cleaning removes the soil. It can’t un-crush flattened fibers, but grooming the pile after cleaning helps it stand back up a little.

How Long Does Polyester Carpet Last?

Those ranges come from Flooring Clarity. A denser, better-grade PET lasts toward the top of the range, and regular vacuuming and professional cleaning help most.

Is Polyester a Good Choice for San Angelo Homes?

For bedrooms, guest rooms and closets, yes. It’s soft, affordable and handles spills. In main hallways and living rooms, where grit gets tracked in all day, it tends to mat sooner than nylon. In rentals it keeps upfront cost down, but plan on traffic lanes showing wear sooner.

How Should Polyester Carpet Be Cleaned?

• Vacuum often, slowly and in two directions. Grit speeds up matting.
• Blot oily spills fast with a drop of clear dish soap in warm water, then rinse the spot with plain water.
• Get professional hot water extraction every 6 to 18 months depending on traffic, as Shaw Floors recommends, with a pre-spray made to break down oily soil.
• Scrub traffic lanes before extraction, then rinse thoroughly so no soap is left to attract dirt. How carpet cleaning works.
• Groom the pile while it’s damp so it dries standing up.

What Should You Avoid on Polyester Carpet?

• Curling irons, hair straighteners and space heaters close to the carpet
• Rental machines with lots of shampoo, which leave sticky residue
• Leaving heavy furniture in the same spot for years
• Rubbing spills, which frays and flattens the fiber

Polyester vs. Nylon: Side by Side

See all carpet types.