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Generation 1
Delustered or dull fiber. Round fiber in cross-section.
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Generation 2 Soil-hiding. Multi-lobal or multi-sided fiber in cross-section. These fibers produced static electricity.
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Generation 3 Anti-static, multi-lobal, soil hiding.
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Generation 4 Stain and soil resistant. Covered with a coating of fluorocarbon similar to Scotchgard or Teflon. Anti-static, multi-lobal, soil hiding.
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Generation 5 Stain resistant, anti-microbial, anti-static, multi-lobal, and soil hiding. These fibers are anionic or negatively
charged and should be cleaned with anionic or non-ionic cleaning solutions (not cationic solutions). Dry cleaning solvents may cause the stain repellent to lose its efficacy.
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Polypropylene (olefin)
A
synthetic pile yam fiber used extensively for outdoor carpeting.
Polyester
Is an inexpensive carpet pile yam that is used principally in residential
installations.
Wool
A minor (1% of the market) but important fiber in carpets is the oldest carpet
fiber, wool. Wool is beautiful, expensive and must be maintained properly and carefully.
When cleaning wool carpet, extreme care should be taken to avoid over-wetting and
high alkaline cleaners. Improper chemicals on wool carpet cause "alkaline browning discoloration." Browning is an easily remedied condition when a "brown‑out" treatment is applied to the carpet. Over-wetting a wool carpet can cause jute bleeding discoloration from
backing yarns used in carpet weaving processes.
