Keeping carpets beautiful for years to come is easy simply by vacuuming and having carpets periodically cleaned!
Dirt and airborne dust tend to settle on carpet fibers and accumulate in highly trafficked areas. These particles soil the carpet leaving it dirty, worn, and discolored looking. The best way to lift these dirt and dust particles from the carpet is by vacuuming. The question is "how often do you have to vacuum?" The answer depends of how many people live in the house and how much foot traffic the carpet is exposed to. A rule of thumb is that for every living thing in your house (people & pets), is the number of times the carpets should be vacuumed per week. While this may sound a bit excessive, it is especially important to do this in those high traffic areas such as entrances, hallways, or any area that is a common pathway. Since every carpet manufacturer has different care recommendations, talk with your salesperson or visit the manufacturer website to find out the best care & maintenance plan for your carpet.
Another important way to prolong the life of carpet is to have them professionally cleaned by hot water extraction. In fact, carpet manufacturers require this to support their carpet warranties. The frequency of cleanings may differ from household to household depending on the amount of people, pets, and overall traffic in the home. Generally speaking every 12-18 months is sufficient, but review the carpet manufacturer recommendations. Also, be sure to save the receipts since the manufacturers require proof of professional cleaning in case there is every a warranty issue.
