We too bought Mohawk Silk (Cozy Comfort or something like that) and initially had trouble with our existing vacs (central system and a Shark). We also contacted Mohawk and purchased a Hoover Windtunnel T Series Model UH70205 which was one of the models they recommended. It works like a champ. We bought online for about $125, but I have seen it since then (or very similar versions) in big box stores. Given the amount we paid to put in this carpet, I was getting nervous when I initially read some of the reviews about vacuum problems, but I have also seen some similar to mine where unhappy buyers started out with vac problems (especially Dysons), only to be overjoyed with the product when they got the right vac for the job. One thing it shows is that you don't have to spend a mint to get a great vac for this type of carpet. This Hoover was less than my Shark! But at end of the day, we LOVE our carpet now -- best ever and would recommend it to anyone! One thing -- what did Floortech mean when he said it "caught fire" because of its softness? I assume that is a figurative statement?

I sell them both...I have a large Smartstrand Gallery in all our locations. I also sell Stainmaster. If I was a consumer looking for a pillow underfoot, I would choose Sorona Smartstrand. If I am being completely honest and I wanted to be sure of durability and a product that will clean well, I would purchase the time tested Stainmaster yarn. I would purchase a good piece though. 25.00 per yard carpet minimum plus pad and labor because stainmaster allows manufacturers to sell some junk with their yarn also..I continue to have some questions about Smartstrand that are being worked on. Their warranty is confusing. It demonstrates a bleach solution on their color wall,however; warranty details my people are telling me states that warranty is voided when bleach solution is used. That is a concern. My company is doing a test as I write this on Clean ability of Smartstrand vs Cleartouch vs Stainmaster Nylon. We placed Mustard and grape jelly on products and we plan to clean at an associates meeting. I am anxious to view. I am going to sell Smart Strand regardless of my test or confusion of warranties as the softness it has can't be compared to anything. I just refuse to mislead my customers and I have to know 1st hand how well it does clean. I also have Shaw coming into the company this Thursday to discuss the smartstrand warranty and indicate they will point to some details I was unaware of as I have embraced Smartstrand in a big way as late. I am featuring it in a 20000.00 flooring giveaway, and I want to makesure my facts are straight when I discuss the products.So within the next week I will have formed a strong opinion on it. I do really like it but Stainmaster is proven and time tested. Good luck.

Can't really comment on the Shaw, but I can comment on our carpet buying experience when it comes to this style of carpet. Our carpet guy tried to steer us toward the Shaw carpets that compete w/ Smartstrand when DH balked at the SS price (granted, DH hadn't done any research on the carpets or even touched the SS). After feeling the Shaw sample and comparing to the SS, I said absolutely not. Like you we had issues w/ the carpet we put in the last house not being comfortable and stains would reappear a couple days after a steam cleaning & I definitely did not want a repeat on either of those fronts. We went w/ Smartstand and have been very happy with it's performance so far. Super soft luxurious feeling & stains come right out with just a little plain tap water and a clean cloth (even blood splotches from when DS2 cut his foot and tracked quarter sized blood splotches into his bedroom, across the room to his bathroom and back across the beautiful white SS carpet)--AMAZING!! Can you go outside your builder's carpet guy? If you're looking for a better price on SS, try Lowe's. Their price is so low that the local dealers can't touch it--it may even come in less than the Shaw carpets you're looking at. Each dealer's SS has different names assigned to the different weights so you'll need to have the specs to compare apples to apples (i.e. the dealer's SS Intelligent Style is the same as Lowe's SS Lucky Star.) Remember too, that when you deal with the builder's preferred vendors, they like to talk about how you get a builders discount/builders pricing. What they really mean is that the builder will be getting a kickback/referral fee from the vendor for giving him the business. Additionally, the builder may pad the charges from the vendor. All in all, you may come out much better by going through the local Lowe's. Hope this helps!

Oh good Lord! As if I wasn't already torn between the Tuftex and the Mohawk SmartStrand carpet. After reading these earlier comments I am really baffled! Originally I started my search for carpet by looking at nylon only since I heard that it is much better than polyester for wear and tear. But I happened into another carpet store today that carries both Karastan (Mohawk) and Shaw and the sales person seemed to push me towards the SmartStrand carpet. She wanted to show me the Karastan carpet that has been underfoot in their store for the last 10 years. She proceeded to push a heavy display fixture out of the way so that I could see how the carpet sprung back. It was amazing! Plus she pointed out that the SmartStrand's stain protection never washes out, while the Shaw Stainmaster protection washes out after 3 professional carpet cleanings. I am so confused on which way to go. And I need to make a decision quickly since I will be moving into my new home soon. The former owner left me with a surprising welcome gift---183 square yards of dog-urine stained carpeting. It was so filthy that I gagged several times while pulling it up and dragging it out to the garage. So I will be replacing all of that filthy floor covering with new carpet and my head is spinning as to which choice to make. Although my head could still be spinning from inhaling the very strong shellac that I had to use to "seal" any dog urine odors from making their way up from the sub floor. UGH!