Does your rug, carpet or upholstery look different now that it has been cleaned? The change is probably due to the removal of soil, revealing cleaner fibers and also some earlier pile distortion.

The appearance of a textile furnishing depends on various factors including texture. Foot traffic and normal wear cause the majority of soil accumulation on floor coverings or upholstery. They also produce a physical change on the face yarns of a carpet or rug. This physical change on the face yarns begins as soon as the textile furnishing is put to use and eventually changes the texture and hence appearance.

A change in the carpet pile will always take place when the carpet is subjected to use. A comparison of the areas protected by furniture with adjacent used area should graphically demonstrate the effect of foot traffic on the appearance of the carpet or rug. This appearance and texture change is a normal occurrence to be expected and may occur either as pile crushing, fuzzing or "blooming" the tufts. The fiber used in the face yarns, yarn twist, pile density and the amount of traffic over the carpeting will determine the type and amount of distortion.

The extent of physical change cannot be determined, however, until soil has been removed. The professional cleaner makes every effort to correct distortion during the cleaning process. But in many cases, distortion has reached a point where it cannot be returned to even near the original appearance. Some very sensitive rugs, carpet or upholstery will also exhibit a certain amount of unavoidable texture change even after a careful cleaning.

Texture changes that occur from normal use and wear, improper maintenance and necessary cleaning actions are usually permanent. Pile brushing and vacuuming in the preferred pile direction may help to even out some irregularities or changes in texture.