Polypropylene carpets: advantages and disadvantages, is toxicity real?

It is difficult to imagine a cozy and warm home without carpet. And how nice it is to walk on it barefoot and play in the evenings with your child! And despite the fact that some people call the carpet a “dust collector,” designers continue to use it as one of the stylish elements in interior design. Today, synthetic floor coverings, including polypropylene carpet, are in greater demand. Customer reviews, properties, advantages and disadvantages of such products are presented in our article. But first, let's find out what you need to pay attention to when choosing a carpet.

Short description

Polypropylene carpets have a bright, colorful appearance, and their main feature is lightness, convenience, ease of care and a fairly affordable cost. The main material used in the manufacture of such a carpet is polypropylene. Polypropylene fiber belongs to the class of polyolefins, and its structure is very simple and consists of hydrogen and carbon molecules. A special feature of this chemical is its chemical inertness. This means that it is possible to add color to a polypropylene carpet only during production, and the finished product cannot be dyed.

Both the base of the carpets and the pile are made from polypropylene fiber. The threads are made using a special technology, as a result of which they are continuous and smooth, which significantly distinguishes them from natural fibers. This feature allows you to avoid unnecessary effort when cleaning the product from dirt.

There are several types of carpets based on their structure: loop, single-level (loops of the same size) and multi-level (loop sizes are different), as well as split (with a loop cut) and loop-cut (cut pile and loops). Depending on the conditions in which the carpet will be used, the choice of its covering depends.

Why is there such a great demand for polypropylene carpets? Cheap and practical, polymer carpets instantly occupied their niche in the carpet market. The cheapest and most popular material for their manufacture is polypropylene. Almost 90% of all man-made carpets are made from it, which is why they have the lowest cost. Perhaps this is the most important reason why polypropylene carpets are in the top sales.

Carpet structure

Carpet has the following structure: pile, primary base, securing layer, secondary base. The pile can be uncut (loop) or cut (cut), short or multi-layered. The durability of the carpet depends on the thickness (density - the number of piles per square meter) and length of the pile and whether it is cut or not. A more durable cover with thick pile and bottom knit construction. The most common materials for the production of pile are wool, polypropylene and polyamide. For the base, artificial felt, natural or artificial jute, and latex are most often used.

1. Pile - consists of loops.
2. Primary base (primary fabric) - the basis for creating the surface layer - pile. Typically made from polypropylene (PP) or polyamide (PA).
3. Connecting layer (glue or latex) - used to connect the primary fabric along with the pile to the secondary base.
4. Secondary base – it gives the finished product dimensional stability and improves mechanical properties. Artificial jute, felt, rubber or latex base can be used. The felt base provides heat and sound insulation to the coating.

Properties of polypropylene carpets

A polypropylene fiber carpet is not much different from wool carpets. It also has a soft, thick pile that is matte and shiny. In addition, unlike wool carpets, synthetic products do not shed or fade.

The fact is that polypropylene is an inert and hydrophobic material, which means it does not absorb moisture. It is dyed during the production process of the thread, so the coloring pigments are contained in the fiber itself. Thanks to this, external factors do not affect the brightness of the color and pattern of the carpet.

This same property helps a polypropylene carpet to be resistant to many types of dirt. Even difficult stains from coffee or fruit juice can be easily removed from its fleecy surface without fear of washing off the paint or damaging the carpet fibers. Therefore, it is well suited for areas with a high risk of contamination, such as hallways and children's rooms.

But at the same time, a polypropylene carpet has lyophilicity - the ability to actively interact with oils. Oil stains on this carpet can be very stubborn and soak deep into the pile. Therefore, a polypropylene carpet should not be laid in the kitchen and other rooms where the risk of greasy stains is high.

Wear resistance is another important property of a synthetic carpet. Durable artificial fibers can withstand even heavy loads and withstand numerous contacts with shoe soles and animal claws. Its service life is about 7 years. However, in this indicator, polypropylene is inferior to natural wool, which retains its original appearance for up to 50 years.

In addition, polypropylene carpet pile can quickly restore its previous shape after prolonged compression, for example, under furniture legs. Thanks to this, the home owner has the opportunity to rearrange the furniture at will without fear that unsightly dents will remain on the carpet.

However, synthetic carpet is prone to deformation, so it is not recommended to hang it to dry or beat dust out of it. To keep the polypropylene coating perfectly clean, it must be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner, and heavy dirt must be removed with a gentle joke.

Perhaps the most important property of a polypropylene carpet is its low cost. Even people with low incomes can buy a carpet made of synthetic fiber, and the abundance of shapes and colors will help make it a real decoration for the home. In addition, synthetic carpets have a very beautiful pile that can compete with any natural material.

Positive properties of polypropylene carpets:

1. Beautiful appearance;
2. Long-term color retention;
3. Low price;
4. Easy to clean;
5. Resistant to stains;
6. Ease of processing.

The negative properties of synthetic carpeting include a tendency to deform and a low service life compared to natural wool.

What damage can carpets cause?

Externally, synthetic floor coverings are almost no different from natural ones. Their pile is just as soft, and the carpet does not fade or trample over time. The fact that each fiber is dyed during the production process helps the coating not to lose its brightness. Polypropylene is a hydrophobic substance, which means that it does not repel moisture. All these properties make synthetic carpets resistant to various stains.

Excellent wear resistance is another important characteristic of synthetic products. All of them can return to their original shape after prolonged pressure. But due to the fact that polypropylene is a synthetic fiber, many consider products made from it to be harmful to health.

The main disadvantage of synthetic products is that they are not environmentally friendly. The substances that make up the fibers are unsafe for the lungs. Polypropylene, acrylic, polyurethane, vinyl, nylon - all this is found in carpets. Substances can evaporate and enter a person’s lungs.

Carpets consist of several layers. One of them is the substrate. It consists of glue and a surface of fibers. The surface may contain various toxic chemical compounds. In addition, when heated, carpets begin to emit toxic fumes, which are extremely dangerous for humans, as they can cause severe poisoning in adults, children and pets.

Important! The most dangerous are fire-resistant floor coverings. They are treated with special substances that can lead to allergies or cause asthma attacks.

Tips for choosing a carpet

The material from which the carpet is made determines not only the cost of the product, but also directly affects its following characteristics:

• resistance to stains - how quickly the carpet gets dirty, how difficult it is to clean it;
• the ability to maintain the original appearance for a certain time;
• product wear;
• toxicity;
• fire-fighting properties.

Modern carpets are made from natural (sheep's wool, silk, cotton), artificial (viscose) and synthetic materials (polyamide, polyester, polypropylene). Products made from them have both advantages and disadvantages. For example, a viscose carpet is almost as good in appearance and properties as silk, but costs several times less.

To choose a quality carpet, you need to study the properties of each material, taking into account the room for which the product is purchased. Polypropylene carpets have excellent characteristics. Let's look at this material in more detail.

Manufacturing technology

In the manufacture of polypropylene carpets, 3 types of fibers are used:

1. BCF fiber. The raw material for this material is waste from oil refining. As a result of mechanical action, a strong and dense synthetic thread is obtained. Carpet products made from it are the cheapest and less safe, respectively.
2. Heat Set-fiber. Threads obtained from these raw materials are most often used in the production of carpets. Products made from this fiber resemble wool to the touch. The shelf life of carpets made from Heat Set fiber is 4-12 years.
3. Frize fiber. Polypropylene threads are created by twisting two Heat Set fibers. As a result of this treatment, the polypropylene thread becomes rough and the surface of the carpet becomes curly. If you choose a children's carpet made of polypropylene, then products made from twisted fibers are not only brighter, but also as safe as possible for health. The cost of such a product will also be an order of magnitude higher than that made from cheap and lower quality fibers.

Where is the best place to use this carpet?

Outdoor Polypropylene Carpets

Because it is hydrophobic, olefin is often used for outdoor applications and even on ships. The fiber dries quickly, does not absorb moisture and is not susceptible to mold or soaking. Additionally, dyeing at the manufacturing stage makes the fiber extremely fade-resistant, so exposure to the sun's UV rays will not cause the carpet to fade in color.

Use in basements

Many homeowners choose polypropylene for wet basements because of its moisture resistance and microbial resistance noted above. In exceptionally damp basements where the threat of mold is high, olefin carpet designed for the outdoors is the best option.

Lay a polypropylene covering in the nursery

This option seems successful, since a carpet has several undeniable advantages for a child’s room:

• Bright colors - what is important for a nursery;
• Stain resistance - don’t be afraid to get gouache dirty during children’s creativity;
• Hypoallergenic - it does not collect dust, does not allow pests to multiply and does not emit small particles that, when rising into the air, can serve as a source of allergies.
• Even the fact that it will have to be changed quickly, to the hand in the child’s room - the baby is growing, the style of the nursery is changing, naive designs can be replaced with more serious colors.

Mode of production

Tufting production method - a needle and thread are passed through the warp and loops of a predetermined height are left on the front side. Then they are cut, and the undersides of the base are secured with latex. A popular production method due to the variety of carpet designs: pile, loop and their varieties.

Woven production method - pile with this production method is formed by weaving plain and multi-colored yarn and tying knots on a strong natural jute base (mesh), the ends of which are then trimmed. Woven carpet is the most durable, but at the same time the most expensive. This carpet is made in the same way as a regular carpet.

Needle-punched production method - the fibrous base is pierced multiple times with needles with special notches. The fibers caught in the notches become entangled and the product becomes felt-like. On the reverse side, the fibers are secured with a secondary base. Needle-punched carpet has higher wear resistance than tufted or woven carpet.

Flocked production method - a pile 3 mm long is tightly “lined” on a polyvinyl chloride base using an electrostatic field and secured with glue.

Harm and health benefits of polypropylene carpet

The main disadvantage of a polypropylene carpet is that it is not environmentally friendly. Polypropylene is a product of the modern chemical industry, for the production of which petroleum products are used. However, the finished carpet does not emit harmful emissions and does not cause skin irritation upon contact with the pile.

But it is important to remember that carpet and carpet made of polypropylene are flammable coatings, and when burned, they emit toxic gas. This gas is extremely dangerous for humans and causes severe poisoning. Therefore, they should be protected from fire and hot objects to prevent ignition.

Polypropylene protects a person from the cold worse than natural wool. If you can walk barefoot on a woolen carpet even in winter without fear of catching a cold, then in rooms with polypropylene covering you need to wear warm socks or slippers.

Disadvantages of polypropylene carpet:

• Not environmentally friendly;
• Retains heat worse;
• It is highly flammable and releases toxic gas when burned.

How can you reduce the negative impact

The negative impact of a synthetic carpet, rug or carpet can be significantly reduced. To do this, you must follow some recommendations:

1. You should not walk on the carpet in street shoes. Besides the fact that it is not aesthetically pleasing and uncultured, the main thing is that it is extremely unhygienic. All street dust, harmful bacteria, various decomposition products - it will all be on the floor covering. No cleaning product will help get rid of this.
2. It is recommended to wet clean the product more often. A vacuum cleaner cannot cope with a large amount of dust, collecting only a small part of the dirt. Dust accumulated on the product will be inhaled daily and settle on the respiratory system. In addition to it, bacteria and dust mites can penetrate into the lungs. Therefore, it is extremely important to regularly air the carpet and wet clean it. It is also advisable to periodically take the product to dry cleaning.
3. The room must be ventilated regularly. This will not only provide an influx of fresh air, but also get rid of harmful and toxic fumes that are emitted by synthetic compounds.
4. When purchasing a new carpet, it is advisable to inquire about its composition and production method. If all this does not cause concern, then you can safely purchase a carpet. At the same time, you should not immediately lay it indoors; you need to let it air outside.

Polypropylene

This is a fairly practical plastic material. In addition to standard typical applications, polypropylene excels in fiber making, allowing it to expand its range of uses beyond conventional injection molding, including: rope, carpet, upholstery, garments and more.

Polypropylene is a man-made fiber that is durable and naturally stain resistant. It is worth noting that this type is quite popular due to its stain resistance and softness. This is a great option for a modern home because you can clean it with diluted bleach so dirt and stains aren't an issue!

But remember, carpets are not often used in bedrooms, so you can use carpets with more luxurious qualities. Modern manufacturers offer polypropylene fiber that has been made to feel super soft and ultra-luxurious.

For a living or dining room, look for a wool blend or a heavier material.

Advantages of polypropylene carpets:

1. This is a relatively inexpensive material, so it will be good for your budget.
2. Has a high level of flexural strength due to its semi-crystalline nature
3. Has a low friction coefficient. Also, such a carpet performs quite well in contact with water.
4. This material has good chemical resistance.
5. Carpets have good fatigue resistance. Contains excellent impact strength.
6. Carpets made from this material have good resistance to electricity and are thus an excellent electrical insulator.
7. It is easier to repair damage.
8. Very resistant to coloring
9. Easy to clean
10. durable
11. Good color fastness
12. Good value for money

Price

The cost of producing polypropylene is lower than the cost of producing many other types of fibers, so overall it will be significantly cheaper than nylon or even polyester rugs. Although it should be noted that carpet is generally not as durable as nylon carpet (depending, of course, on other factors affecting lifespan), so the one-time savings on the price difference may not be so in the long run. However, when you need to urgently purchase a carpet and not blow your budget, especially for temporary housing or a summer cottage, a polypropylene fiber carpet is best suited.

• An artistic carpet one square meter costs about 2.5 thousand rubles;
• A 2x3 meter hatset carpet will cost 7-8 thousand rubles.

On average, the price per square meter fluctuates around one and a half thousand. Industrial options will naturally be cheaper.

Care

Polypropylene carpets are easy to care for. The fibers of such a product practically do not absorb dirt. To get rid of dust and dirt, it is enough to vacuum the product once a week. To remove serious stains, you should additionally use household chemicals designed for cleaning carpets.

You should be careful when washing or cleaning such products, since polypropylene fiber is fragile. It may lose its shape or fade.

To avoid damaging the product with strong detergents, you must first test the product on a small area of ​​the carpet.

Types of flooring

Carpets differ not only in the material from which they are made, but also in the manufacturing technology.

• Fabric. No adhesives are used in production. The fiber strands are intertwined. This makes such products durable, wear-resistant and the safest for home use.
• Tufted. Threads and fibers are driven into the base of the coating, and then covered with a special adhesive. Such products require careful cleaning, as they absorb large amounts of dust and dirt.
• Needle-punched. The pile threads are driven into the base of the carpet with special needles. After that, another base, which is often made of rubber, is glued to the surface of the product. The finished product has no lint, so it is easy to care for.

Tips for choosing

When choosing polypropylene covering for your home, it is worth remembering that a quality product cannot be cheap. Although floor products with this composition are more affordable than similar products made from other materials, this does not mean that you need to purchase the most affordable option. It is important to remember that the cheaper a polypropylene carpet, the lower its quality and the shorter its service life.

Another tip is to give preference to products from well-known manufacturers, and also ask the seller for a certificate for the product. It is best to make purchases of polypropylene mats in well-known stores and large retail chains, about which you can read reviews, and where product quality control is at a high level.

If we talk about appearance, then you should focus only on your preferences. Children's carpets made of polypropylene should be bright and develop the baby's imagination. When choosing an option for another room, you should focus on its color design and practicality considerations.

How to choose?

When making a purchase, trust only trusted manufacturers. By the way, today products from manufacturers from Egypt are very popular. You should not chase savings and order goods on grand sales at a very low price. Often, such products are of appropriate quality and can be a waste of money.

This is especially important if you want to purchase a carpet for a children's room. Cheap synthetics can create serious problems for the health of the child and other family members. Be sure to check with the seller if he has special certificates that confirm the quality of the products.

Is polypropylene carpet harmful?

Many people doubt whether carpet is safe for health. The material is suspected of being toxic due to its production methods:

• BCF - fibers obtained from petroleum waste.
• Heatset - the previous thread is additionally heated, stretched and twisted to obtain a material similar in appearance to wool.
• Frize threads - the processing cycle goes even further, so that the fibers are twisted even more, the pigments saturate the material more.

Production is harmful to the environment. But the product itself does not emit toxic compounds exceeding the norm. If carpets are approved for use in children's rooms, then its relative safety has been proven. However, the cheapest options are not recommended for indoor use.

What real customer reviews say

If you look at the reviews of those who already have a polypropylene carpet in their home, we can note that most owners of this floor covering are absolutely satisfied. Especially often one can read delights about the fact that for a small price one can purchase a high-quality product with high aesthetic appeal.

Having purchased a polypropylene carpet, you can easily deal with dirt using either a vacuum cleaner or wet cleaning. If necessary, the rug can be washed, and in some cases without resorting to the expensive services of cleaning companies. This allows you to use the coating even in those rooms where the likelihood of contamination is especially high, that is, in the kitchen, hallway and children's room.

At the same time, none of the owners notes that during operation the polypropylene carpet product had any negative impact on the health of family members.

pros

The material has gained popularity due to its availability and many advantages.

Among them, the following stand out:

• Hypoallergenic . Some have heard that polypropylene is toxic and harmful to health. This is absolutely not true. This myth is due to the fact that the material is the result of processing products from the oil industry. Manufacturers do not hide the fact that this method of fiber extraction is not completely harmless to the environment.

However, the material is absolutely safe for humans; there are no allergic reactions from it. Even natural carpets, made, for example, from wool or acrylic, cause individual intolerance much more often. Good quality polypropylene carpets can be laid in a child's room or bedroom without any fear. The main thing is to approach the choice of manufacturer as seriously as possible and not buy very cheap, low-quality carpets, which can actually pose a health hazard.

• Availability . Low cost in relation to good quality, practicality and durability - this is why polypropylene products have gained such great popularity. Today, carpets made from such threads are presented in a wide range, so everyone can choose a product that perfectly suits the interior. Moreover, such a purchase will not hit the family budget. Synthetic polypropylene carpets will cost several times less than products made from natural wool, cotton or other materials. However, given its cost, the carpet is only slightly inferior to analogues made from natural raw materials.
• Hygroscopicity . The material allows moisture and air to pass through and does not accumulate dirt. This means that you don’t have to worry about mold, mildew or other harmful microorganisms appearing on the product. By the way, moths and dust mites are not attracted to synthetic material, so there will be no parasites on the carpet. In addition, the material does not accumulate static electricity. Children and animals can play on it without problems or harm.

• Easy to care for. A polypropylene carpet can be easily cleared of accumulated dust by vacuuming it in just a few minutes. It is important to clean on both sides to achieve excellent results. If a stain appears on the carpet, it can be easily removed with a soap solution or any cleaning agent for synthetic fibers. You will not need to purchase special expensive products to clean this product; the simplest solutions will suffice.

Regularly wet-clean the carpet and wash it with shampoo. In this case, even after numerous washes, the product can be compared to new. If the carpet is laid in a room with little traffic, it is enough to simply knock it out from time to time or treat it with a vacuum cleaner. You don't have to spend a lot of time caring for your carpet. This is especially important in the modern world, when the rhythm of life makes you value literally every free minute.

• Durability . Despite the fact that polypropylene products are inexpensive, they have a long service life. The synthetic material is wear-resistant and does not fade, which means that the colors of the product will delight you with their brightness for many years. Of course, with intensive use and frequent washing (for example, if the carpet is in the hallway), the service life of the product will be somewhat reduced. However, such products are available, you can easily buy a new carpet.
• Large selection of style solutions. Products made from synthetic fibers (polypropylene, polyester and other materials) are distinguished by a rich palette of colors. Manufacturers offer many product design options. You can easily find bright, rich plain rugs made of polypropylene or products made in soothing colors with discreet patterns. For the children's room, colorful color models with different designs are provided, be it images of popular cartoon characters or flowers, games, etc. Everyone can easily find a product that they like.

Minuses

• Fiber protection. The carpet may be contaminated with dried dirt, causing stains that cannot be removed. They appear when dirt clings to the thread, making it difficult to clean. Also, if you actively walk on the carpet, it will soon darken.
• Low fire ratings. Due to this, the carpet quickly ignites upon any contact with fire, so it should be kept away from the source of a possible fire.
• Life time. This quality is considered a disadvantage. It is better not to lay it in places where you have to walk frequently. Although the lifespan of polyester carpet has been increased, it is still not as durable as nylon.
• Electricity storage. When actively walking on the carpet, it accumulates static electricity, which is why it actively attracts dust from around the room. If you lie on it, your hair and clothes will definitely not thank you.
• The appearance deteriorates. The fibrous cover is synthetic, so it quickly rolls and breaks, which causes the aesthetics of the product to be lost.

Polypropylene carpet for children's room

A carpet for a children's room must meet the following characteristics:

• hypoallergenic;
• naturalness;
• softness;
• ease of care.

Despite the advantages of natural materials, they have one significant drawback - the ability to cause allergic reactions. Otherwise, a children's polypropylene carpet meets three of the four criteria. This material is hypoallergenic and easy to clean. Products of a wide variety of shapes and colors are made from polypropylene, with a long pile and a pleasant-to-touch surface.

Base type

• Baseless - usually exhibition carpet.

• The fabric base is the strongest and most expensive - mainly for household purposes.

• Felt base - natural or artificial/synthetic felt - mainly for household purposes.

• Jute base - natural or artificial/synthetic jute - primarily for commercial purposes.

• Rubber base - primarily for commercial use.

• Latex base - mainly for commercial purposes.

Types of base and pile. Video review