Phoenix Metro Cleaning

Identifying Different Carpet Fiber Types

The easiest method of identifying carpet fiber types is to simply look on the back stamp (it can be found on the under side of each carpet installation).  Carpet inspectors are well-trained in the various carpet fiber identification techniques, but many consumers may be unfamiliar with these techniques.
The two generally methods of identifying carpet fiber types is a chemical testing and the burn test evaluation. 

 

Carpet Fiber Chemical Testing:

Chemical testing is by far the most reliable, but most consumers may not have access to the various chemicals necessary to perform this test.  Each carpet fiber can be dissolved in a particular chemical.  The following should be noted.

Nylon - dissolves in Formic Acid.  A few drops of formic acid on nylon fiber will begin to dissolve the fiber in 20 to 60 seconds.  A rule of thumb would be that type 6,6 nylon takes longer to dissolve than type 6 nylon.

Olefin - this fiber "floats in water", naphtha can be used for fiber identification.  To use the specific gravity test, place a drop of dishwashing liquid in a cup of water and place the carpet fiber in the mixture.  Olefin fibers float whereas all others sink.

Wool - Dissolves in Chlorox in about 5 to 6 minutes.  If wool has been blended with other carpet fibers, these fibers would remain un-dissolved.

Acetate - Dissolves in Acetone.  Note some cleaning compounds may use acetone as a dry solvent, so if you are cleaning furniture, this is a mandatory test, since many furniture fabrics may use Acetate “Rayon”.

Polyester – will dissolve in boiling Dimethylformamide. 

 

Carpet Fiber Burn Testing:
 

	Flame	Ash	Odor
Nylon Fiber	blue base/orange tip burns evenly No smoke/white puff	Round bead gray/brown/black hard	Celery
Wool Fiber	orange sputters out no smoke	Irregular, black crumbles to coarse powder	Burning hair
Cotton/Jute Fiber	orange burns evenly continues to smolder No smoke	Irregular glowing ember, gray/black, crumbles to fine powder	Burning Paper
Olefin Fiber	Blue base/orange tip burns evenly and rapidly no smoke	round bead, light tan to brown, hard	Paraffin or asphalt
Polyester Fiber	Orange sputters sooty black smoke	round, shiny, black, hard	Sweet fruity
Rayon Fiber	Orange rapid burning flame	No ash, no bead	Burning paper