Does Plush Carpet Wear Well? If Not There Must Be These 5 Reasons!

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Taher Sabahi

Hey there. I heard you are in a dilemma about does plush carpet wear well or not.

So… I’m gonna guide you through your search to find out many things about carpets.

Speaking of which, do you know what carpet “wears well” means?

Let me tell you – Carpet wearing well means they are quite durable, resilient, and can handle daily use. And they all of these without showing excessive damage signs or matting.

Does Plush Carpet Wear Well

“If you are having trouble figuring out why your carpet doesn’t wear well, check out these reasonings. It’s quite possible that these are the facts behind your uniform surface does or doesn’t wear well-

  1. Fiber Type & Underpadding
  2. Pile Height & Foot Traffic
  3. Environmental Factors
  4. Maintenance & Installation Quality
  5. Stain Resistance & Allergen Accumulation”

And I bet you are itching to know more about all these reasons in depth, aren’t you? I ain’t gonna take more of your time. Let’s go dive in then.

I’ll be discussing with you about –

  • Looking out for reasons for which plush carpets don’t wear well.
  • Having an idea about the cost and facts before buying a new carpet.
  • No one can ignore the expert’s tips for better results.

Does Plush Carpet Wear Well?

Yes, the plush carpet does wear well. The smooth surface does offer extra comfort. However, there isn’t any doubt that wet spills are just the sworn enemy of these styles of carpets especially if it’s wool carpet.

So, “About what extra plush cut pile carpet is? The flooring that age like fine wine – gracefully but not forever!🥂”

Plush Carpet pile carpet offers superior durability and resistance to moisture

In the many projects that I’ve completed up until now, I do find plush wearing quickly. As a result, this type of pile carpet offers superior durability and resistance to moisture, making this carpet style an excellent choice.

And of course as a matter of fact all they first ask about is the reason why their carpet doesn’t wear well. I wouldn’t blame them though, it is quite normal to have curiosities especially when you are spending so much on your carpeting.

I’m not even kidding. If you don’t believe me see for yourself. Here’s a general idea of how costly carpeting can be.

Room Size Vs Carpet & Pad Installed Cost

20’x20’ or 10’x12’ based on your room size you can see in the above graph how much it’s gonna cost you for carpet and pad installation.

Whether it’s Frieze carpets or any other synthetic carpets you may choose among the popular choices, you’ll find similarities. Just take a look and you’ll get an idea about how much is it gonna cost you.

“There are many other types of carpet but to me amongst them, shag carpet is most comfortable underfoot. Don’t you think?”

The Reason Behind Plush Carpet Doesn’t Wear Well?

There are 5 reasons at the very least for your plush carpets to not wear well. You just need to figure them out and solve them ASAP.🥸

The Reason Behind Plush Carpet Doesn't Wear Well

You thought I was gonna say that didn’t you?

Not at all! I’m not that grumpy at least!!😆 Of course I’m gonna tell you what these 5 reasons are in a very detailed manner. Here, first, let’s see what these reasons are-

  1. Fiber Type & Maintenance
  2. Pile Height & Foot Traffic
  3. Environmental Factors
  4. Underpadding & Installation Quality
  5. Stain Resistance & Allergen Accumulation

Now if you are already aware of them, congrats! You’ve got everything covered. But if you are not familiar with the ideas, no need to worry. Why fear when your BFF is here😝

I believe by the end of this discussion you’ll be deciding easily about wether plush carpet is good for you or not.

1. Fiber Type & Underpadding

You already know that the fiber your carpet is made has a great impact on almost everything about the carpet including its durability.

Fiber Type & Maintenance

Not to mention price will also differ with the carpet material type. You’d find Sarah Noel on Homeguide agreeing with me too. Although her explanation is elaborate here’s a shorter version I’ve created for you.

So, take a look at the below discussion and decide which type you’d prefer😃

SLCarpet MaterialDurabilityPrice per square foot
1.Nylon3 – 15 Years$0.75 – $9.00
2.Polyester3 – 15 Years$0.50 – $6.00
3.Wool8 – 20 Years$3.00 – $21.00
4.Triexta10 – 20 Years$1.50 – $7.00
Minimum Durability & Maximum Durability

“Carpet manufacturers say that Olefin carpet flooring is made of more durable fiber material.”

  • Nylon – Nylon is known for its strength and resilience. It also is perfect for high-traffic areas. After all, it offers excellent durability and stain resistance, making it suitable for your busy households with kids. Besides, who wouldn’t want to make sure of comfort underfoot for their babies, right?
  • Triexta – Triexta also called Smartstrand is a newer synthetic fiber that combines durability with softness. Isn’t that awesome?🤩 And guess what it also offers the most durability range of 10 to 20 years

By the way don’t you think, that – “Plush carpets age like fine wine – gracefully but not forever!🥂”

  • Polyester – Polyester (PET polyester) carpets are more like a budget-friendly choice. But it also will provide decent durability of 3 to 15 years for you. Same as nylon, yeah I know. But it may not be as resilient as nylon or triexta.
  • Wool – You already know wool is a natural fiber, as a result, it’s also naturally durable too. It’s often used in combination with acrylic.

So, about whether plush carpets wear well or not, keep in mind that wool may require more maintenance. And if you have furry friends at your place, pet hair will need additional care as well.

Alongside fibers and a wide variety of other synthetic materials, a good quality underpadding can also impact carpet wear. That’s because high-quality padding can extend carpet life.

How? By absorbing impacts and reducing stress on the carpet fibers. Real help on the fibers isn’t it?

Based on Homenish.com I found most residential carpet types to have padding around 3/8″ to 7/16″ thick and 6 to 8 lbs. in density.

2. Pile Height & Foot Traffic

Plush polyester carpets typically have a higher pile height. Tufenkian says it’s somewhere between 1/2 inch to higher than 3/4 inch, or more. And that makes them easier victims of crushing and matting.

somewhere between 1/2 inch to higher than 3/4 inch

Did you know, “Loop pile carpets are also soft underfoot and come with a wide range of affordable options too? Many say that loop carpet is quite the durable carpet type making it less prone to crushing and matting.”

Pile Height & Foot Traffic

I know it’s concerning, but in high-traffic areas, you’ll find your carpet showing footprints more quickly. Areas with high foot traffic, such as living rooms and hallways, can cause plush carpets to wear out really fast.

For example, in a household with an average of 4 members, your carpet gets more foot traffic. So, if low-traffic areas wear down in 3 years, high-traffic areas will take only 1.5 years or less.

I mean you went out of your way to buy high-pile carpet that costs around $2 and $10 per sq/ft, and now it’s throwing a tantrum. Plush carpets are like divas—they demand attention and care all the time!🥴” Doesn’t it?

3. Environmental Factors

Sunlight, humidity factors, and exposure to dirt and dust on your carpet can accelerate wear and tear. The Avalon Flooring agrees with me when I say sunlight can be your carpet’s sworn enemy.

You see, direct sunlight can cause fading, while high humidity can lead to mold and mildew growth if not properly managed.

Environmental Factors

Just like a brat kid if you ask me. You can’t afford to be too hard on them but going too easy will spoil them more!😑

4. Maintenance & Installation Quality

An average plush carpeting (including materials and installation) would cost you around $3.50 per sq / ft.

Maintenance & Installation Quality

And after spending all this you wouldn’t want it to wear that badly, now would you? Hence, regular and proper maintenance is crucial for extending the life of your plush carpet.

This cleaning schedule includes frequent vacuuming, professional cleaning which may cost you around $125 to $250, and immediate deep cleaning of spills and stains. 

Poor maintenance can significantly shorten your carpet’s lifespan. It can cause extra trouble for you too by building up molds or getting visible stains. Besides, HappyStartsatHome advises that you should be careful not to cause damage by using the wrong tool.

should be careful not to cause damage by using the wrong tool

I suggest you to must schedule deep cleaning by a professional every 12 to 18 months. But if you have pets or young children then the amount of mess is bound to increase on a larger scale. And so, the time would decrease to 6 to 12 months.

5. Stain Resistance & Allergen Accumulation

Hate to break it to you but unfortunately, there’s no carpet that is 100% stain-proof. 

Stain Resistance & Allergen Accumulation

But but but! Stain-resistant options make maintenance easier and save you money in the long run too.

Stain-resistant options make maintenance easier

I’ve gone through some articles on Health Line. I learned how unknowingly I could be causing allergic reactions in my family. So, while buying I go for carpet fibers that are less likely to trap allergens, such as solution-dyed PET (made from recycled plastic bottles)

That’s because plush carpets can be cozy but they are the easiest to accumulate allergens like dust mites, pet dander, and pollen.


You see! I did a great job explaining, didn’t I?

Kidding! I’m an expert but as long as you find my help useful to you that is. So, please share your opinions. I would love to hear back.

  • You are kind of a self-obsessed person, do you know that?
  • It was quite insightful and easy to understand too. Thanks for that!
  • Love how you explained it all bit by bit. But, could you share some tips with me?
  • Not interested! It was already a good waste of time.

Are you wondering what else you would gain from using plush carpets? Look no further! Here’s a quick insightful video for you.

6 Tips To Make Your Plush Carpet Wear Well (List)

I knew many of you would be eager to know what my thoughts on making your plush carpet wear well. Or should I say what are the expert’s tips?

So, I’ve already listed them out for you. Check the list below out.

  1. Regular Vacuuming – Daily vacuuming is a very effective habit. If you can’t manage that, schedule at least 2 days in 1 week to vacuum thoroughly.
  2. Professional Cleaning – Every 12 to 18 months you’ll need a professional cleaning for your carpet. But if you have pets or young children then the time would decrease to 6 to 12 months.
  3. Use Rug Runners – For high-traffic areas such as your stairs or entryways use rug runners to protect the carpet underneath.
  4. Furniture Pads – Using furniture pads to prevent indentations and damage is inevitable. If you have heavy furniture that is.
  5. Rotate Furniture – Periodically rearranging your furniture can also prevent specific parts of the carpet from wearing out quickly.
  6. Control Environmental Factors – Using curtains to avoid direct sunlight is a good idea. Maintaining constant humidity helps to prevent mold and mildew as well.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does Plush Carpet Wear Out Quickly?

Yes, plush carpet does wear out quickly if it’s installed in a high-traffic area. Also not maintaining it properly can also cause it to wear out fast. Other than that, it could last between 10-15 years.

Does Plush Carpet Show Signs Of Wear Easily?

Yes, plush carpets can show signs of wear easily. Compared to other types of carpets that is. However, regular maintenance can help you reduce the visible wear quite a bit.

How Durable Is Plush Carpet?

Depending on which fibers your carpet is made of its durability can vary. For example, nylon and wool are generally more durable and resilient compared to polyester and olefin.

What Type Of Carpet Is The Hardest To Wear?

Berber carpets, or carpets made of looped fibers. These are considered to be the hardest to wear and are highly durable. Also, you’ll find them less likely to show footprints or vacuum marks compared to plush carpets.

What Kind Of Carpet Wears The Best?

Typically carpets that are made of nylon are the best-wearing. Because of its high durability, and stain resistance, it can withstand heavy foot traffic quite a bit. Wool is also a naturally durable option.

Wrapping Up!

You see, in the end, does plush carpet wear well or not depends a lot on you. Don’t you think? After all, the material the carpet is made of or, the frequency of your care depends on you.

Also before you buy one for yourself don’t forget to get a better understanding of about the plush carpet thickness. On average, if you maintain well then your plush carpets should last 10 to 15 years in residential settings.

I hope my suggestions and explanations helped you out with your curiosity. If it had, I couldn’t be happier.

Happy decorating to you🥰

About the author

Writen By

Taher Sabahi

Taher Sabahi is a certified flooring consultant with over 15 years of industry experience. He holds a master’s degree in Interior Design from the New York School of Interior Design. The Taher Sabahi has a deep passion for helping clients find the perfect floor coverings for their spaces.

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