PART I GENERAL INFORMATION
Brief History Of Carpeting
Velvet & Wilton Weave
Axminster & Chenille Weave

THE NATURAL FIBERS
Cotton And Wool
Woolens-Worsted & Jute

THE MAN MADE FIBERS
Rayon
Acetate, Nylon & Polyester
Olefin
How Is Today's Carpet Made?

CARPET TYPES
Level Loop & High Low Loop
Sculptured Shag - Cut & Loop
Plush - Velvet Plush - Saxony
Frieze & Shags
Cushion Backed Carpeting
Flammability
Electro Static Shock

PART II PURCHASE
So You Think You Need A Carpet
Rooms For Special Thought
Kitchen, Bathroom Carpet
Carpet Squares
Carpet The Wall
Special Carpet Dye Orders
Measurements
Carpet Weights
The Sales Person
Who Do You Buy From?
Lets Look At Those Ads
The Bargain
Shopping Prices
Carpet Guarantees
Department Store Carpet
Franchise Carpet Stores
Independent Carpet Store
Home Operator
Padding
Do You Need Padding?
Soil Retardant
Grade Levels (Foundation)
Now You Can Bargain
Actual Purchase
Installation
Scraps
New Home Carpet
Commercial Carpet

RESILIENT FLOORING
Coving
Maintenance Of Resilient Floor
Other Types Of Resilient Floor
Hardwood Parquet
Ceramic Tile
Other Types
Oriental Rugs
Oriental Rug Cleaning
Rental Property
Motel Carpet Maintenance

VACUUMING
How To Get The Right One
The Door To Door Salesman
Why Vacuum?
Save On Vacuum Bags
Carpet Sweepers
Built In Vacuums
Buy You Own Shampoer
Does Your Carpet Need Cleaning?
Clean Your Own
Soaps & Detergents
Chemical Steps In Cleaning
History Of Soap
How To Use The Equipment
Rotary Method
Steam Clean
Moving The Furniture
Odors & Deodorants
Powdered Deodorants
Potted Plants
Floods - Severe
Floods - Minor
Finding A Professional Cleaner
Carpet Cleaning Ads
Carpet Drying
Repair Your Own Carpet
Seams
Spots and stains
Tool kit
wax, gum, cigarette burns
urine, rust, blood, wine
coffee, tea, vomit
glue, nail polish, ballpoint pen
gravy, furniture polish, crayon
butter, asphalt, mascara, tar
paste shoe wax, cough syrup
red berries, fruit juice, bar drinks
catsup, chocolate, ice cream, milk
toothpaste, lipstick, latex paint
do it yourself tile floor
preparations (slab floor)
preparations (wood floor)
instructions

Why this book was written

Acknowledgements

Ralph Nader's Cal-Perg organization recommended this book.

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Back to Summary Information (top of page)

Carpeting in the average home is the third most expensive investment that the average homeowner undertakes. This book is designed to save you from making expensive mistakes in your carpeting decisions.

Back to Summary Information (top of page)

"Knowledge is the key to protection", states the author. So it is through this book that you, the consumer, may be aided in all phases of floor covering... from purchases to spots and stains and every thing in between. How to Buy and Maintain a Carpet  may well be one of your most important possessions.

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Avoid Losing a Fortune When Buying a Carpet!

These days nearly everyone has carpet in his or her home and you probably do too. Wall to wall carpet is as common today as a car in the driveway or a television set in the living room. After a home and an automobile it is the third most expensive investment made in your lifetime.

The majority of people today know very little about this expensive investment. The sad truth is that less than one percent of the population knows enough about carpeting to make the proper choice of purchase, or even the best method of cleaning.

Ten years of research into consumer floor covering problems has made author Robert L. Selby one of the most knowledgeable men in his field. His experiences with home owners, renters, real estate and property management firms have brought into focus the tremendous lack of knowledge that the consumer has in regard to their floor covering., he also has uncovered widespread fraud, incompetence and deceptive advertising by carpet retailers and so-called "professional" carpet cleaners.