Many people like the look of Berber carpeting and the fact that it comes in a variety of styles and colors. The dense weave of Berber carpeting is effective at hiding footprints and vacuum marks, leaving the carpet looking fresh.

It is important to note that there is a difference in Berber rugs and Berber carpeting. Berber rugs are typically handmade by members of the Berber tribe in North Africa. Berber carpeting is machine made carpeting designed to have the texture and look of traditional Berber rugs.

A Material Difference
Berber carpeting comes in a variety of materials.

• Wool: A natural, hypoallergenic material that creates a long-lasting carpet. Natural wool is the most expensive material used to create Berber carpeting.
• Nylon: Nylon Berber carpets cost less than wool while being easy to maintain.
• Olefin (Polypropylene): These synthetic carpets can be inexpensive, but have a reputation for being hard to clean and not very long lasting.

Caring For You Berber Carpet
Care should be taken when installing Berber carpet. A professional power stretcher should be used to make sure the proper tension is applied to the carpet. Berber carpet that has not been properly stretched can ripple or buckle. Not only does this ruin the look of the carpet, it can create a hazardous walking situation.

The loops in large-loop Berber carpet can be prone to snagging. Snagging is difficult to repair so keep high heels and long-nailed pets off your Berber carpet.

Avoid steam cleaning your Berber carpet as excess moisture can cause the carpet to shrink. Also, avoid using a vacuum with rotating brushes; they can catch on the carpet and cause snags.

If you have a wool Berber carpet, clean it with products designed for wool carpets. Harsh chemicals can strip the natural lanolin from wool fibers. Lanolin is a naturally occurring substance that helps repel stains.