A modified secondary backing fabric (20) for carpet (50) comprises a secondary backing scrim fabric (15) and a
fiber batt (21) integrated with the secondary backing fabric forming the modified fabric, providing a soft face (51) opposite the face (52) presented by the scrim fabric, uninterrupted by the scrim fabric. A carpet (50) comprises a face
yarn (11); a primary backing fabric (12), the face
yarn being tufted into the primary backing fabric; a modified secondary backing fabric (20) attached to the primary backing fabric; and an
adhesive material (14) binding the face
yarn to the primary backing fabric and the primary backing fabric to the secondary backing fabric. The modified secondary backing fabric (20) comprises a secondary backing scrim fabric (15) and a
fiber batt (12) integrated as a unitary scrim, providing a soft face (51) forming the underside of the carpet, the soft face forming a barrier uninterrupted by the scrim fabric and blocking exudation of any of the
adhesive material from the underside of the carpet. A method for the manufacture of a modified secondary carpet backing (20) comprises selecting a secondary backing scrim fabric (15) and a
fiber batt (21); joining the two fabrics to form the modified secondary carpet backing (20), providing a soft face (51) opposite the face (52) presented by the scrim fabric, uninterrupted by the scrim fabric; and subjecting the modified fabric to heat sufficient to remove substantially all loose fibers (45) projecting from the soft surface. The present invention also provides a method for the manufacture of carpet.