Since 1992 the Carpet and Rug Institute has pioneered setting limits on carpet’s emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) to establish a higher standard for indoor air quality. The Carpet and Rug Institutes explains how this program developed on its blog:

The Green Label program developed out of consumer and governmental concerns about carpet’s effect on Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). The original standard, developed in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, measured four compounds against an established criterion, as well as total volatile organic compounds, or TVOC.

(more…)

We have all heard that the carpet in our homes may contribute to asthma and allergies. What is the truth? Myth or reality? The Carpet and Rug Institute recently conducted a Survey of Asthma & Allergy Doctors. The CRI reported: “While many doctors are still recommending carpet removal to their allergy and asthma patients, they were very [...]

News Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Get Fresh Carpet Cleaning meets the high standards of the WoolSafe® Organization to become the only WoolSafe® Approved Service Provider in Calgary and all of Western Canada. WoolSafe® Approved Service Providers Mark

News Release Contact: CRI Communications Department, 706.428.2103 Dalton, GA. (May 18, 2009) – The Carpet and Rug Institute once again raises the bar on industry standards by enhancing the Seal of Approval Service Providers program, to encourage carpet cleaning companies to provide a higher level of customer service and satisfaction. The Seal of Approval program tests [...]

A couple of months ago I wrote an article about why Mohawk SmartStrand is Smart Choice. Today, an exciting development was announced that will have a huge impact on the residential carpet industry and gives Dupont and Mohawk well deserved bragging rights. In a very rare decision by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) (whose role [...]

A common problem with home offices and work spaces is the effect that the casters or wheels from office chairs have on the carpet interface. Can they both get along? The repetitive rolling motion increases carpet wear over time. The movement can also in some cases cause delaminating of the carpet. Delamination is the separation [...]

Bamboo is extremely strong, long-lasting and just plain exotic. Not only gorgeous to look at, it’s also one of the most green and environmentally friendly flooring products on the market today. If that isn’t enough, it also compares favorably to hardwood flooring in price. Bamboo – the renewable resource Because it is a natural, renewable [...]

This soiling is called filtration soiling because it comes from air passing through the carpet as it is attempting to get through the crack between the carpet and the baseboard or under a closed door. As the air passes through the edge of the carpet pile, this microscopic soiling is deposited there (hence the term filtration soiling). This occurs over [...]

I get asked frequently how often should I have my carpets cleaned? The truth is, there is no particular schedule other than maintaining your warranty valid (most carpet warranties specify every 12 to 18 months). Cleaning frequency really depends on the type of traffic you have on your carpet and how you maintain it. Maintenance goes a [...]

With Ultra25 4x protection, the long lasting liquid repellency of Ultra25 will repel most liquids, including juice, coffee and other spills, four times longer than other carpets with traditional stain protection, making clean up quick and easy. The advertising promises: “Protection like you’ve never seen before.  Completely protects the carpet fibers from top to bottom, optimizing the [...]

Looking for new carpet? I recommend you put SmartStrand on your short list for many reasons. Mohawk SmartStrand was released in 2005 and is made with DuPont Sorona polymer. Now technically speaking this is a polyester fiber. What? Polyester you say, have you last your mind? No, this not the same type of builder grade [...]

With the downturn in the economy, it makes good sense to protect your investment and extend the life of your carpet. The overall price of commodities has increased 326% over the past four decades, yet the price of carpets has only increased 77.8% according to The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI), the national trade association [...]

We hear a lot these days about VOCs. What are they? The United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) explains: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Concentrations of many VOCs are [...]

Allow me to relate a brief experience I had to set the stage for this article: A previous client of the business I used to work for, found me after I started Get Fresh Carpet Cleaning in Calgary. She gets her carpets cleaned once a year and since they are white, they require allot of work [...]

The majority of soil in carpet is dry, insoluble, particulate matter. An analysis by Proctor and Gamble Laboratories of carpet soiling samples representing a cross-section from throughout the United States reveals the following data on soil in carpet: Tracked-in, gritty particles make up approximately 55%. Animal fiber from people, pets and fabrics comprise about 12%. Another [...]

What is the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) and how does it affect you? While the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) sets the professional standards for cleaning and ethics, the CRI tests and approves carpet cleaning solutions and equipment. The following is from their website:

What is the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and how does it affect you when you need carpet or upholstery cleaning? While the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) tests and approves carpet cleaning solutions and equipment, the IICRC is concerned about standards, ethics, training and certification. The following is from their website:

News Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Shaw Revises Warranties to Reflect Requirements for CRI Seal of Approval Products and IICRC Certification Dalton, GA – Following the company’s announcement in June of 2005, Shaw has revised its residential carpet warranties to require the use of the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) Seal of Approval products for carpet cleaning supplies [...]