The fibers used for a carpet's face yarn dramatically affect its look and performance. Nylon fibers are resilient, survive the crushing weight of furniture and hold up well in heavily trafficked areas. Nylon is available in brilliant colors and solution-dyed varieties are colorfast. Although olefin began as an outdoor carpet fiber, thanks to its resistance to moisture and mildew, new advances in its look and feel have made olefin popular for the entire house. It is easy to clean, strong and resistant to stains, wear and static electricity.
Color is added before the material is turned into fiber, making olefin colorfast.
If you like a luxurious, soft, thick cut pile, polyester may be your best bet. Unfortunately, they are not as durable as nylon and olefin. Acrylic fibers are resistant to moisture, mildew and fading in direct sunlight. The most luxurious fiber is natural wool. It is soft, durable, offers generous bulk and comes in many colors.