CARPET FIBRE TESTING
Have you ever wondered what the 6 most resilient carpet fibres were? The good news is that your search is over. We bring you the results via the Martindale rub test.
Durability Insights With The Martindale Rub Test
The Martindale Rub Test measures carpet durability by counting the number of circular rubs a fabric can withstand before showing wear (e.g., pilling, fraying). Higher rub counts indicate greater durability.
Below is a concise comparison of Martindale Rub Test scores for Axminster, Polyester, Olefin (Polypropylene), Nylon, Acrylic, and Wool carpets. Click here for upholstery fabrics.
Carpet Fiber | Martindale Rub Count | Durability Notes |
|---|---|---|
Axminster (Wool/Nylon) | 20,000–50,000+ | Often 80/20 wool/nylon blend; highly durable for high-traffic Liverpool homes/offices. |
Wool | 20,000–40,000 | Natural, resilient fiber; great for moderate to high-traffic areas but UV-sensitive. |
Nylon | 50,000–100,000+ | Most durable synthetic; ideal for heavy-traffic areas like stairs or commercial spaces. |
Olefin (Polypropylene) | 15,000–30,000 | Moderate durability; prone to matting but good for sunlit or outdoor areas. |
Polyester | 15,000–30,000 | Moderate durability; soft but flattens in high-traffic areas; budget-friendly. |
Acrylic | 10,000–20,000 | Least durable; best for low-traffic decorative areas; prone to pilling. |
Key Differences in Scoring
- Nylon leads with the highest scores (50,000–100,000+), making it the toughest for heavy-use areas like Liverpool offices or busy Anfield homes.
- Axminster (Wool/Nylon) follows closely (20,000–50,000+), blending wool’s luxury with nylon’s strength, ideal for high-traffic Wavertree living rooms.
- Wool (20,000–40,000) matches Axminster’s range but is slightly less durable in blends, suited for cozy Crosby lounges.
- Olefin and Polyester (15,000–30,000) offer moderate durability, better for low to medium-traffic areas like Bootle bedrooms or Aigburth patios.
- Acrylic scores lowest (10,000–20,000), limiting it to decorative, low-traffic spaces like Maghull guest rooms due to pilling risks.
"Carpet geeks and Anoraks, welcome to your happy place!"
Welcome my fellow Anoraks did you guess the toughest carpet fibres out there? The top six—Nylon (50,000–100,000+ rubs), Axminster (20,000–50,000+), Wool (20,000–40,000), Olefin (15,000–30,000), Polyester (15,000–30,000), and Acrylic (10,000–20,000)—using “The Martindale Rub Test reveals all you need to know about carpet durability, and Eco Steam Clean delivers geek-level expertise for Liverpool’s best carpet cleaning—call 0151 384 5700 today!”.