5 tips that keep your carpet clean (& looking great)

Some days it seems like your family, pets, and dirty work boots are
conspiring against you and your carpets. Between the dirty foot prints and carpet stains, your carpets take a real beating from the daily traffic—and it can seem almost impossible to keep your carpets clean. We’ve seen a lot of carpets installed in high traffic areas, and we’re here to tell you it is possible. Don’t lose hope—especially if you use these tips to keep your carpets clean and looking great.

Choose the right carpet for your space.

The most beautiful carpet you see at the flooring store may not be made to handle the kind of traffic you need. Use these tips to select the right carpet for high traffic areas (main home rooms, frequented areas, rooms where you keep your pets, kid spaces, etc.). When you buy carpet, consider how much traffic the carpet gets, what kind of traffic (pets, kids, etc.), the chance for spills, and maintenance needed. Don’t hesitate to ask the experts—the staff members at the flooring store who help homeowners, families, and even business owners choose the right flooring. They’ve seen what carpet works at other homes in the same kind of spaces.

Choose your vacuum carefully—and use it regularly.

You’ve seen all the commercials about the super powerful vacuums. Believe it or not, some vacuums are so powerful they can damage the fibers in your carpet. Determine what vacuum cleaner is right for you (here are tips for choosing the right vacuum), and for your carpet. Use your new vacuum at least once a week to keep your carpet clean.

Place rugs in all the right places, especially the door.

Stop carpet stains and residue at the door. Use mats in your mudroom and at your exterior doors to keep dirt, water, and grime off your carpet. In high traffic areas, such as a hallway, put down area rugs to protect your new flooring.

Clean carpet stains ASAP.

When you find a carpet stain, don’t wait. Clean the stain promptly, and be careful not to scrub the stain too hard. Too much elbow grease can damage carpet fibers, so it’s best to blot at your carpet with a moist cloth to remove the spill AND keep your carpet looking new.

Schedule an annual carpet cleaning.

Give your carpets a deep clean. Not only does it help members of your family with allergies, a good professional carpet cleaning keeps your carpet looking new—a professional carpet cleaning. Rented carpet cleaners may look like they do the job, but in reality those carpet cleaners can’t deliver the same kind of deep, thorough clean. Want to keep your carpet clean and looking great? Trust the carpet cleaning pros (and enjoy the results!).