Coloring may repair bad case of carpet uglies

Most carpets look like they need replacing after three to nine years, but often not because of wear but instead because of a bad case of the uglies. In many cases, the uglies can be fixed with carpet dyeing. And the good news is that retinting is usually much less expensive than replacing.

Years ago, carpet dyeing was an idea that was good, but the chemicals used were not perfected so the end result was not always great. Good news again. Since the demand was great, the product became great so it is now pretty safe to dye that carpet back to life.

More good news. The fact that the original carpet color can be restored is welcome news in itself, but there is more that can be done with carpet coloring. If a change in décor is in order because the colors in the house are really outdated, one of the major expenses can be replacement of the carpet. In most cases, the carpet color can be changed by dyeing it the new color of choice rather than by purchasing a whole new carpet.

What if it is not the entire carpet that needs attention? Spots are color repairable too. If constant or improper cleaning of one area has lightened that section, dyeing it will work. If there is a problem dark stain, it can be color repaired. If some areas are faded from the sun, guess what? Dyeing it will work.

If purchased from a reliable carpet coloring company, the process should be quick, easy and nontoxic. Quick? How's 60 seconds for drying time. Easy? As the dyes enter and penetrate the original carpet color, special chemical bonding agents make the fabric colorfast and new looking again.

Almost all carpets are dyeable. All wools are as well as all nylons. Polyesters and olefins are not dyeable. If the carpet contains silk, it is not a good idea to dye it.

If carpet coloring is something that is appealing, be sure to research the companies that offer this service. Those whose major business is carpet cleaning might not have the knowledge nor the resources to really do the job right. Your best bet is to go with a company that specializes in carpet coloring.

If you have access to the Web, Google "carpet coloring" for an array of possibilities. Granted, carpet coloring is not for everyone, but it is something to look into, particularly if replacing it is not a financial possibility at this time.

Rosemary Sadez Friedmann, an interior designer in Naples, Fla., is author of "Mystery of Color."