Although hardwood floors and tiles are becoming more and more popular to put in homes, carpet is still a very popular flooring material that is available in a wide variety of textures, colors, and materials. While many consumers still have carpet in their homes, some consumers are afraid of the risk of carpet stains and the maintenance required to keep them looking new.If you have carpet in your home, it will eventually get stained, especially if children are running around. There are, however; a few things that can be done to prevent wear and tear on your carpet. Properly maintaining your carpet can keep it looking great for many years.
Tip One: Look for colors and textures that will hide dirt or stains
If you are in the market for new carpet, you must first accept the fact that things will get spilled and stains will be made. The trick is to try and hide these stains. Try to avoid light colors and carpets without any texture. Try finding an off-white shade (beige, sand, and other creamy-colors). Obviously, the darker the color, the better it will hide most stains. Berber carpets and other textured materials also do a great job of hiding common stains.
Tip Two: Look for carpet that is stain resistant
Carpet that is stain resistant? Yes, it's true, there are stain resistant carpets and they actually work. They are a bit higher in cost, but the time and labor it will save you in the long run might just be worth the extra dollars. Find a good carpet cleaner and keep it handy for those inevitable accidents.
Tip Three: Try to avoid putting carpet in high traffic areas, and have guests remove their shoes
Try to avoid putting carpet by door entries, especially by the front door, where many feet come and go. Carpet is great for bedrooms, because it is warm and cozy, and not much of your time is spent on the floor. Also having guest remove shoes will reduce the dirt brought into your home. You might feel rude asking guests to do this, but it's a simple way to keep your carpets looking clean. Odds are, you've been asked to remove your shoes at least once before when you were a guest at someone's home.
Tip Four: Use area rugs
Area rugs are usually used to cover hardwood floors, but why can't they be used on carpet too? Adding an area rug to your carpet will add focal points and warmth to the area. When vacuuming, be sure to vacuum the carpet under the rug as well.
Tip Five: Vacuum your carpet regularly and have it professionally cleaned often
The more you vacuum your carpet, the better it will look. Vacuuming your carpet, not only removes dirt, but also removes allergens and reduces the dullness. Vacuuming regularly is one of the most important things you can do to ensure that your carpet maintains its great condition year round. When it comes to having your carpet professionally cleaned, shelling out the extra bucks will extend the lifespan of your carpet. You can also rent a steam cleaner from your local hardware store and do the job yourself.
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