This is probably the most misunderstood areas of professional cleaning. Because of this, it is also an easy area for cleaners to run SCAMS. In fact, In our FREE REPORT we discussed a cleaner we knew who charged for carpet protection and sprayed plain water. There are also some who try to tell you that your carpet HAS to have protection reapplied. And those who do give you may dilute it, reducing it’s effectiveness.We also discussed why a stain warranty is NOT A GOOD IDEA . It is important to know how you can avoid getting scammed, and we’re here to help.

We’ know what you’re wondering. Do they work? Are they right for me? How often do I need to reapply? There are many different types of protection available. The 3 most popular are Teflon,  Scotchguard and Maxim. However, there are silicone-based carpet protectors as well which cost less, but their use may void the carpet manufacturer’s warranty. So it is important to make sure you know exactly what is being applied to your carpet. And it may surprise you that carpet protectors are not always a good idea.

All 3 of the brands listed above are water-based, anionic fluorocarbon.  Anionic means that these products have negatively charged ions. A fluorocarbon is a neutral series of fluorine and carbon compounds that are very heat resistant. These products are applied as a liquid and turn into a solid. Teflon® has a 6.0 pH. Application can be a factory-application or topical-application. The factory-application has a more powerful bond. Neither product contains CFC’s and are safe to use around kids and pets. All are color safe and dry as invisible shields.  All 3 protectors are used on apparel and home furnishings in addition to most carpet yarns: wool, nylon, polyester, and acrylic.

What exactly do they do?

We’ve found this presentation by Maxim does a great job of explaining the function of carpet protection, as well as the limitations. All 3 products have the same functions and limitations, the difference is the effectiveness of each.

So which one is the best?

Ask Dupont and they’ll show you tests proving Teflon  is more effective than Scotchguard. Ask 3m and they’ll show you tests that prove Scotchguard is more effective than than Teflon. Ask Bridgepoint and they’ll show you tests proving Maxim is the worlds best carpet protector. What does it mean? A carpet protector is only as good as the company who applies it, and stands behind it. All 3 are great products, but we’ve found that Maxim penetrates the fibers better than the other two. It wears better and therefore needs to be applied less often.

Are they worth it?

The short answer is not always. Carpet protection is a wonderful way to prevent stains and prevent dirt from sticking. This means that dirt, allergens, and lead does not stick as easily, and can be more effectively removed by normal vacuuming. The big drawback to carpet protection is that it needs to be reapplied  after each cleaning.  So if you clean your carpets as often as needed to keep your carpets clean and sanitary. (See our FREE health report) applying protection each time can add a considerable amount of money. In general, we find that it is healthier use the money saved from not applying protection to clean your carpets more frequently. However, if you typically go a year or more between professional cleanings, carpet protection is a GREAT IDEA.