[david_h]

I have a carpet that's got a light patch on it. It seems reasonable quality and was bought from one of the Wilton factory shops some 10 years ago. I'd expect it to be reasonably hard wearing.

It's red in colour with a slight pattern.

The owner spends a lot of time sat in a particular place and where her feet normally are the carpet has gone a shade lighter, leaving a pale patch. Basically a 'high traffic' area.

What would cause this? I'd expect an increase in dirt in this area causing the carpet to darken. There doesn't appear to have been a spillage at all.

Would wear to the carpet fibres cause the carpet to lighten? The carpet doesn't 'feel' worn in this area. If not worn could some sort of light coloured dirt cause this to happen?

More importantly, what can be done to improve it?

[John Kelly]

Probably due to wear and pile compression causing the fibres to reflect light differently. Colour is only the way something reflects light. This is what causes shading in carpets, the pile has started to lay in a different direction, it is still exactly the same fibre but because it catches the light at a different angle it actually looks a different colour.
Hope that helps.
PS This is a good reason not to ask people to take their 3 pce out of the room to be cleaned as the areas in front of the sofas and chairs can still appear to be soiled even though they are clean.

[david_h]

So it's more likely to be pile compression, rather than wear of the actual fibres?

The best approach would presumably be to hoover really well to lift the pile then clean as normal?

[John Kelly]

Worth a go but don't expect miracles. The pile under peoples feet where they sit is constantly under pressure and kinks where it meets the backing causing it to lie over. You may get some improvement but probably always look a different shade.

[lynngc]

john kelly,
have e-mailed you

lynn