Carpet may not be the most complex part of your home, but it is a big investment and a key part of your décor. That’s why we’ve put together a list of common questions we hear about carpet and the answers you need to choose the right one and keep it looking right.
How can I extend the life of my carpet?
Take proactive steps to keep the dirt out. Place mats by every exterior door to catch any dirt or gravel that could get tracked in. Train your pets to stop at the door so you can clean off their paws. Ask your family and any guests to take off their shoes before they come in—and give them a nice area to do so.
Vacuum regularly. A regular vacuum is a simple maintenance step that can keep your carpet looking like new.
Don’t scrub too hard. Using too much elbow grease cleaning up a stain can damage carpet fibers and do permanent damage to your carpet. Instead of hard scrubbing, blot the carpet and gently scrub in circles to get the stain out.
Schedule a regular carpet cleaning. A professional carpet clean removes stains, allergens, and keeps your carpet looking great. The amount of carpet cleanings depends on the carpet; if you don’t want to void the warranty, talk to your carpet installer about the number of cleanings needed in case there is a problem. The number of carpet cleanings can also depend on the traffic; a high-traffic area may need more cleanings than a low-traffic area.
How can I save money on new carpet?
Carpet remnants. Carpet remnants are the remaining part of a carpet roll, usually sold for a discounted roll. Depending on the roll, you may be limited with the amount available for purchase but carpet remnants are ideal for one room or a smaller room (i.e. office, small bedroom, etc.)
Sales. Watch for sales on carpet at your local carpet retailer, but make sure the store offers quality products and installation.
Carpet pad savings. A quality carpet pad is worth its weight in gold, so don’t skimp and purchase a cheaper pad. However, if the carpet pad under your last carpet is still in good shape, you may be able to use it again and save on a new carpet pad.
Can my carpet pad be reused?
Maybe, but only if the carpet pad is high quality and newer. If your carpet pad is older and in bad shape, you may not be able to reuse it. A quality carpet pad usually lasts longer, but at some point all carpet pads break down and cannot be reused. In addition, remember that you cannot remove any odors from your carpet pads so they may need to be removed for a fresh new pad.
What should I look for when buying carpet for my high traffic room?
If your carpet is in a high-traffic area, there is a definite list of ‘musts’ that go with your purchase. Buying the wrong carpet is a costly mistake; the wrong carpet needs to be replaced prematurely because of stains, wearing, and damage.
Durable
A heavy traffic room is susceptible to everything: muddy foot and paw prints, food spills, and all the other damage that comes with frequent foot and paw traffic. To keep your carpets looking new, ask about carpets with durability options, such as waterproof or stain resistant carpets. Every carpet has different features; there are carpets with waterproof pads that keep spills from seeping through, air freshening technology that cleans the air, and stain resistant fibers that make clean-up easy.
Color
Darker-colored or variegated carpets can often hide stains that come from frequent paw and foot traffic. For a room with frequent foot and paw traffic, a darker-colored carpet can hide stains and wear from a busy household.
Easy to clean
Long-term foresight is what keeps your carpet looking great. Choose a carpet that is easy-to-clean and maintain over the life of the carpet; regular vacuuming and carpet cleaning are the key to the lifespan and aesthetics of your carpet. If the kind of carpet won’t make that maintenance easy, ask the experts to recommend a carpet that is easy to clean as long as you own it.
What kind of vacuum works best?
Buying a new vacuum may not seem like a life-altering purchase, but purchasing the wrong vacuum cleaner can have serious consequences for you and your floor. Buying the wrong vacuum cleaner can damage your floors (i.e. carpet fiber damage, laminate or vinyl scratches, etc.) and void your warranty.
To avoid having any warranty issues, use our list of flooring manufacturers’ websites to find out what they recommend. Make sure you schedule a professional floor cleaning to keep up with maintenance.
Beyond warranty, also consider the logistics of your home. If you have stairs, you may want to invest in two vacuum cleaners or purchase a lightweight model. For larger homes, look at vacuum cleaners with a battery pack so you don’t have to deal with having to plug and unplug cords.
If you or a family member has a respiratory condition or allergies, add allergy-friendly to your list of considerations. Look for a vacuum with a HEPA filter so dust is not released into the air. Bagless vacuum cleaners offer cleaning without the hassle of a bag, while vacuum cleaners with bags allow for easy disposal (depending on the vacuum model) that won’t trigger your allergy or respiratory issues. In addition, do your research to determine whether the filters are replaceable or reusable; if the filters are replaceable, you need to buy additional filters which add to the overall cost of the machine.
Can carpets be recycled?
Yes! As an added bonus, it’s easy to do if you live in Dodge or Jefferson County in Wisconsin. Just stop in at our Watertown store and ask us where to take your old carpets or contact us for more information.
