Moth resistant carpet - how effective?

[hallwaypaint]

We're looking at new carpet for stairs and landing. I like the look and feel of wool/wool mix but am worried about moths as they've been a problem in the past. Lots of carpet I've looked at says it's moth resistant. How effective is that in practice? There are lots of old threads on here where people say their wool carpets have been eaten, but I've idea if they had been treated or not.
Anyone care to share their experiences?

A really good polypropylene carpet is as good as wool and the moths won't be interested! Plus, they are easier to clean.

I'm slightly put off by the environmental impact of polypropylene though. I think they just go to landfill at the end don't they.

Even wool carpets can have a plastic backing. I wouldn't see, in the grand scheme of things, that there is much difference environmentally.
Or get rid of the carpet and have vinyl/lvt or wood flooring.

No, we definitely want carpet. Anyway, I'd be interested to hear of people's experiences with moth resistant carpets and whether they still got eaten or not.

I work at a carpet shop. They come treated and it is very effective but does tend to wear off over time, especially after being cleaned. You should have it resprayed every few years and make sure to pull furniture out when vacuuming.

polypropylene wears quickly - my stair carpet lasted a year before threading! Replaced with wool and it's still like new 5 years later.

We have a treated wool carpet downstairs and a cheaper wool carpet upstairs (i assume untreated). Cheaper one has been in almost 4 years, downstairs about 3 years. The upstairs ones have a lot of moth eaten bare patches as we unfortunately brought the moths from a temporary rental. The downstairs the moths do still seem to like, but as yet i haven't found any obvious bare patches... touch wood! If i was to replace them I'd go for polypropylene given our moth issue. Previous 2 homes had cheaper wool carpets with no problems at all.

@Notanotherwindow

I work at a carpet shop. They come treated and it is very effective but does tend to wear off over time, especially after being cleaned. You should have it resprayed every few years and make sure to pull furniture out when vacuuming.

Thanks @Notanotherwindow. That's really useful to know. I hadn't realised you could retreat them.

@roses2

polypropylene wears quickly - my stair carpet lasted a year before threading! Replaced with wool and it's still like new 5 years later.

I'm worried about that as well. Such a difficult choice as I don't want to be changing it again any time soon!

@Imicola

We have a treated wool carpet downstairs and a cheaper wool carpet upstairs (i assume untreated). Cheaper one has been in almost 4 years, downstairs about 3 years. The upstairs ones have a lot of moth eaten bare patches as we unfortunately brought the moths from a temporary rental. The downstairs the moths do still seem to like, but as yet i haven't found any obvious bare patches... touch wood! If i was to replace them I'd go for polypropylene given our moth issue. Previous 2 homes had cheaper wool carpets with no problems at all.

Some people I know ended up getting rid of all their carpets for precisely this reason. It's not really an option for us as we live on a badly sound proofed terrace.

You can buy the sprat and do it yourself or there are companies that do it. My great aunt used to have hers redone every 2 years, I think she used a company called ServiceMaster but she lived in Canada so not sure if they are a Canadian company only.

I used to work in carpet retail. Like most things, you get what you pay for. A really good polypropylene carpet will wear well and look good for years.

How can you tell a really good one? Are there particular brands that are better or is it price per meter? I felt really overwhelmed looking at all the carpets in the shop.

It's all on price really. And ignore the rrp! Like sofas, the true price is the sale one!

Look at density rather than thickness. You don't want fluffy and deep as it treads down. Tight dense pile is what to look for. You shouldn't be able to feel every detail of the backing when you dig your fingers into it. Also backing should ideally be hessian. Steer clear of felt back and get the thickest underlay you can afford. The underlay matters as much as the carpet.

My carpets came with a mothproof guarantee so if they have damage it gets replaced for free: think it’s from Victoria carpets

I only wanted carpets with a guarantee and there were several styles available

Wool carpets (on the ground floor) will save you money on energy costs.

www.researchgate.net/publication/298352974_The_Thermal_Properties_of_Wool_Carpets

I have both poly and wool in my house. The wool is wearing well as it's now 9 years old but never looks perfect it's always got fibres at the edges and we've suffered reverse pile in our hall. It's our hall and stairs carpet. It was the most expensive carpet in our house.
We put poly in the bedrooms and they've lasted well about ready to replace now due to major use. They came with a 10 year guarantee and have suffered many children playing in those rooms.
We have another poly in our sitting room is it very thick and fluffy with no flattening and this room is used everyday. The carpet is perfect condition.
If anyone has tips for making my wool carpet look good I'd be interested to hear. It's put me off having another.

@Notanotherwindow

Look at density rather than thickness. You don't want fluffy and deep as it treads down. Tight dense pile is what to look for. You shouldn't be able to feel every detail of the backing when you dig your fingers into it. Also backing should ideally be hessian. Steer clear of felt back and get the thickest underlay you can afford. The underlay matters as much as the carpet.

Thanks Notanitherwindow. It feels quite overwhelming when faced with a sea of seemingly very similar beige carpets!

@BlooberryBiskits

My carpets came with a mothproof guarantee so if they have damage it gets replaced for free: think it’s from Victoria carpets

I only wanted carpets with a guarantee and there were several styles available

I will ask about guarantees. They didn't mention that when I asked in the shop.

This is a good read about carpets and moths - elements.london/article/mothproof-carpets/