Berber carpet can really modernize your home. But it comes with its own cleaning considerations. If it is dirty, you will need to clean it. That means you need the best vacuum for Berber carpet to get the job done. They have special features that make it easy to clean this unique carpet type.
Do I really need a vacuum for Berber loop carpet? You may be asking yourself this question. The answer is a definite yes. Vacuums for Berber loop carpet are essential. Keep reading this article to find out more. We will also give you a list of the top five products. Pick one of these and finding your next vacuum for Berber carpet and pet hair will be very easy.
What is Berber carpet?
Berber carpet is a specific type of carpet. It was first created by the Berber. These tribes lived in North Africa. They were known for making rugs. The rugs had a very unique appearance, which is reflected in modern Berber carpet.
What makes Berber carpet unique? Thank you for asking. All carpet is made of fiber sewn through a backing material. A piece of fabric is looped through the backing. In most normal carpet styles that loop is then cut at the top. This creates the soft, shorn look of most carpets. Berber carpet keeps the loop intake.
The inclusion of the fiber loop does more than just make Berber carpet look unique. It also increases the carpet’s durability. That is why Berber carpet is such a good choice for rooms that get a lot of foot traffic. Mudrooms, playrooms, and living rooms may all have Berber carpet in them. You will also find it in schools and commercial buildings.
Do I have Berber carpet?
Berber carpet has some definite pros and cons. If you choose to put Berber carpet in your home, then you know for sure that you have it. However, some homes already have carpet in them. You may not be aware of what types of carpet you have in your home.
The name Berber carpet is often used interchangeably with a loop carpet. Get down close to the carpet. If you see an intake look of fabric, you have Berber carpet. The loop will be tight to the floor and may look like a knot.
Berber carpet is also typically a low pile carpet. Pile refers to the height of the carpet fibers. High pile carpet is common in items like shag rugs. On the exact opposite side of the spectrum is the low pile Berber carpet.
Features to look for in a vacuum for Berber carpet
The unique features of Berber carpet can make it hard to vacuum. That is why it is so essential that you find the top vacuum for wool Berber carpet on the market. Use the following features as a way to narrow down your choices.
Type
The vacuum type will play a large role in whether or not your vacuum is right for Berber carpet. Traditionally, there was only the upright vacuum cleaner. These products have the cleaning head, dirt collection bag, and motor all in the same unit. You push the upright vacuum along the floor.
In 2020, however, there are way more vacuum options. In addition to the traditional upright, there are also the canister, stick, handheld, and robot vacuums to choose from. All of these can potentially work for Berber carpet. You will just need to find the right product.
Some people prefer canister vacuums for Berber carpet and pet hair. They tend to have the most power, which is essential for cleaning Berber carpet. Canister vacuums have one unit with the motor and dirt collection bin. A hose is connected to that main unit. The hose goes to the cleaning head, which can be changed in many different configurations.
Handheld vacuums look similar to upright vacuums, but they are much smaller. They also have much less power. This means that they are less likely to be able to fully clean a Berber carpet. But, for a spot clean they excel.
The final type of vacuums is a robot and handheld. Handheld vacuums are small and fit in your hand. Think Dustbuster. They are not great for cleaning a Berber carpet other than to clean up a mess on it. Robot vacuums work without any input from you. They can work well on Berber carpet, but you have to find a model with powerful enough suction.
Beater bar
For Berber carpet, it is essential that the vacuum has a beater bar that can be turned off. Some vacuums have adjustable height settings. These can also be used instead of an adjustable beater bar. As long as the beater bar does not touch the Berber carpet, you will be fine.
The reason you don’t want a beater bar with Berber carpet is that it can pull out the loops. This is a big problem. Pulling out the loops can make the Berber carpet unsightly. It can also melt the loops if the carpet is made from Olefin.
Suction power
As mentioned in the type category, Berber carpet requires powerful suction. The tight loops can trap dirt. They are also hard for regular vacuums to clean. If the suction is not strong enough, the dirt will not be removed well from the carpet. A vacuum for Berber carpet and pet hair should have strong suction.
Variable suction power would also be a good thing for these products. That way you can use them on multiple surfaces. Berber carpet really requires the same amount of suction power that you would use on hard floors. Variable power allows you to clean regular cut pile carpet as well.
Accessories
Whenever you purchase a vacuum, you will need to determine the accessories you want. A vacuum for Berber loop carpet is no different. Accessories will vary depending on the type of vacuum and manufacturer.
For example, canister vacuums tend to have the most accessories. You change the cleaning head often with these vacuums for wool Berber carpet. On the other hand, you may not get a lot of accessories with a traditional upright vacuum.
Think about where and how you use will be using your vacuum for Berber carpet. This will help you determine the types of accessories you need. And, remember, that if you have a lot of accessories, you should also receive some kind of storage option. They will keep your accessories neat and together.
Filter
The filter on any vacuum is important. You need to know if you need to change it or wash it. The manufacturer’s instructions will tell you exactly how the filter should be changed. You also need to consider how well it works.
Look for a HEPA filter above all. HEPA filters are the best of the best. They will remove 99% of dirt and contaminants from the air of your home. HEPA filters can have a variety of processes. Some may be two stages, three stages, or four stages. Pay attention to the way the filter works as well as its efficiency.
Price
Price is a big consideration for any appliance. Vacuums are no different. They will likely run you hundreds of dollars. You don’t even need to purchase the most expensive option for them to cost real money.
Make sure that you create a budget ahead of time. The budget will determine what products you look at and which ones you don’t consider. Vacuums for Berber loop carpet do not have to be super expensive. You may just need to look a little harder if you are on a tight budget.
Top 5 Best Vacuums for Berber Carpet - Comparison table
Product | Our Rating | Type | Beater bar | Accessories | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional NV356E | #1 Editor’s Choice | Upright | Has shutoff feature | Motorize floor brush, Crevice tool, Dusting brush, and Pet Power Brush | 13.7 lbs. |
Soniclean Soft Carpet Vacuum Cleaner/ | #2 | Upright and Handheld | Soft nylon bristles | 4-to-1 Stretch hose, Turbo tool, Floor tool, Upholstery tool, Dusting tool, Crevice tool, and Accessory tote bag | 16 lbs. |
Dyson Ball Multi Floor 2 | #3 | Upright | Self-adjusting | Combination tool and Stair tool | 15.6 lbs. |
Hoover Commercial WindTunnel C1703900 | #4 | Upright | 5 height positions | 12-inch Wand, 11-inch Long-reach crevice tool, and Dusting/upholstery brush | 22.8 lbs. |
Severin Germany Vacuum Cleaner | #5 | Canister | Adjustable suction power | Upholstery nozzle, Furniture nozzle, and Crevice nozzle | 20.2 lbs. |
Top 5 Best Vacuum for Berber Carpet On The Market Reviews
The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional NV356E is THE Shark vacuum for Berber carpet. It has professional in the name for a reason. It has all the tools, durability, and power you need to clean your Berber carpet.
The dust capacity is a large 2.2 quarts. It has a bagless dirt collection bin, instead of a bagged model. This makes it easier to empty out any dirt and debris from the vacuum.
Additionally, the Shark Navigator has a brush roll shut-off feature. You can easily turn the brush roll off for hard floors and Berber carpet. Just turn it back on again when you clean your regular carpet.
Shark also knows that versatility is key in modern vacuums. So, the NV356E is a lift-away model. It turns from an upright to a handheld vacuum at the push of a button. The HEPA filter and lightweight nature of the product only add to its allure.
Soniclean is known for working with carpet manufacturers to design their vacuums. This is awesome because it provides a product that is specifically tailored to carpet cleaning. The Soft Carpet Vacuum Cleaner/Handheld Combo is no different.
What is different about this product is that it uses sonic vibrations, 200 of them per second, to remove dirt from your Berber carpet. It doesn’t rely on powerful suction. This makes it ideal for high pile and soft carpets. However, it is still a great idea for Berber carpet because the sonic vibrations are quite powerful. They will remove any embedded dirt and debris.
Also, this particular Soniclean vacuum includes a handheld vacuum as well as the upright. No matter where you are cleaning, this combo has you covered. It doesn’t get better than that.
For a great Dyson vacuum for Berber carpet, try the Ball Multi Floor 2. This is the newest Dyson Ball upright vacuum. The ball part indicates how the vacuum moves. It can swivel in any direction. Its movement makes it ideal for vacuuming around or under furniture.
Dyson is known for its suction power as well. The self-adjusting cleaner head will raise or lower depending on the floor type. This makes it ideal for Berber carpet. It actually adjusts for low pile carpet.
Also, Dyson’s Ball Multi Floor 2 allows you to disengage a wand to clean in hard to reach places. Although this is an upright vacuum, it doesn’t behave like one. You will love it for Berber carpet cleaning as well as whole-house cleaning.
Hoover is known for its wonderful vacuums. They have a long and storied history. Their reputation is upheld by the Commercial WindTunnel C1703900. Because it is a commercial model, it does have a bagged dirt collection bin. This may turn off some people. As will the lack of accessories.
You still need to give the C1703900 a long look though. It has five height adjustments. Height adjustments are ideal for homes with Berber carpet. They allow moving the beater bar out of harm’s way when vacuum Berber carpet. This is a very lightweight model, which is also great for Berber carpet.
The commercial-quality urethane wheels, recline handle, and furniture guard make the Hoover C1703900 very easy to use. It will clean anything anywhere. You really can’t ask much more out of your vacuum for Berber carpet.
The final vacuum on our top five is the Severin Germany Vacuum Cleaner. This is an affordable canister vacuum. Being a canister vacuum comes with a number of accessories. You also know that this product is of the highest quality, as it was made in Germany. German engineering is known for its excellence.
You can switch to any cleaning head. Therefore you can use this product on more than just your Berber carpet. It also has a unique filtration system. There are two microfiber dust bags and the filter is made of hygienic fleece. Although this is not a HEPA system, it is close. It will make sure the air in your home is cleaner than when you began vacuuming.
Canister vacuums, in general, are versatile. And, the Severin Germany Vacuum Cleaner is not different. It will clean any surface of your home. It will even work on upholstery. Your Berber carpet has nothing to fear.
FAQ
Still, have some questions about Berber carpet? That’s okay. In this section, we give you all the FAQs you need to make an informed decision.
Is Berber carpet a good investment?
You will probably wonder if you decide to put a new carpet in your home. If you are considering Berber carpet, there are definitely a few pros and cons to think about.
On the pro side, Berber if very inexpensive. It is durable. Stains will clean up easily. Plus, there are typically a lot of Berber carpet options out there. You will have your pick of colors and styles.
A major con is that one snag can be a huge problem. Snags never seem to happen in a corner. Instead, they will likely occur in a high-traffic area. They can definitely ruin the look of your carpet. Plus, Berber carpets are not a plush carpet option. They tend to be very thin, which can be a problem for some people.
Should I purchase Berber carpet?
That decision is really up to you. We recommend Berber carpet in high traffic and entranceways of your home. For example, mudrooms, basements, playrooms, etc. Any place where there is a likelihood of messes.
Berber carpet is also amazing at repelling stains. If you have children or pets, then Berber carpet can be the right decision.
What type of Berber carpet fiber do I have?
Before you purchase a vacuum for Berber carpet, it is important that you know what type of carpet fiber you have. There are a number of different Berber carpet fibers. Nylon, cotton or jute, polyester, olefin, and rayon are all popular fibers for Berber carpet.
The best way to test your Berber carpet is the burn test. You will need some extra carpet for this test. Take a fiber and set it on fire. The color of the flame will tell you the type of fiber. For example, nylon has a blue base and polyester has an orange, sputtering flame. It is easy to find the distinctive ways that each carpet fibers burns online.
Why is knowing the carpet fiber important? It is because some carpet fibers clean better than others. Olefin, especially, burns and melts easily. If you have the wrong vacuum for Berber loop carpet, you can damage this type of carpet. The manufacturer’s instructions, if you have them, will tell you the material and how to care for it.
How to care for Berber carpet.
Berber carpet does not have that different care instructions than regular carpet. Keep the following tips in mind. Your Berber carpet will last you for a long time.
Vacuum daily for the best results. Dirt will not have time to embed in the close fibers.
Repair snags and loop damage immediately.
Don’t drag or pull heavy objects over Berber carpet. The fibers will not be able to handle that abuse.
If there is a spill, especially of liquid, clean it up immediately. Berber carpet repels stains well. You just have to clean them right away.
Steam or dry clean the Berber carpet often. Some people recommend steam or dry cleaning once per month. This is very important for wool carpet. You will need that professionally cleaned. But, if you have other carpet fibers, you can get away with once every month or two. Some people only dry or steam clean once per year. That will just give the dirt more time to embed in the Berber carpet.
Purchase the top vacuum for Berber carpet you can find. This is a biggie. These vacuums are essential in keeping your Berber carpet clean and looking great.
Tip for cleaning Berber carpet
Cleaning your Berber carpet does not have to be hard. In fact, there are only a few extra tips you need to know to truly clean your Berber carpet well. These tips are as follows.
Be very careful about snagging. Snagging is the nemeses of Berber carpet. Beater bars especially can catch on the loops and rip them out. Once a rip occurs, if left unattended, it can unravel the carpet. Keep an eye out for snags. And fix them immediately when you see them.
Begin by removing any stains. A vinegar and water solution should work nicely. You can also try diluted detergent.
Once the stained area has dried, vacuum the entire carpet.
If it is time for steam or dry cleaning, do that. You should really only steam or dry clean once every other month or so.
Conclusion
Berber carpet has a lot of advantages. It is durable, sturdy, and cleans up well. You just need the best vacuum for Berber carpet you can find. That is where this article comes in handy. In it, we have given you the tools to choose your next vacuum for Berber loop carpet. We’ve also provided the top five products available in 2020.
Try any or all of the vacuums reviewed in this article. You will be happy that you did. And, your Berber carpet will thank you for finding the correct vacuum for it.