The Best Way to Protect Carpet

Vacuum

• One of the ways you can protect your carpet from wearing out is to vacuum on a regular basis. This keeps soil and dirt from building up; dirt and soil can damage the carpet fibers over time. Dirt also makes a carpet look dull. Use a vacuum cleaner with good suction to ensure dirt is removed thoroughly. Don't use the brush side of the vacuum cleaner because it will cause your carpet to get fuzzy. Regular vacuuming also can plumb up the carpet's fibers when they are crushed from furniture or lots of traffic.

Entry and Area Rugs

• Entry rugs and area rugs can protect your carpet from excess dirt. An entry rug can be put in a doorway and all the entrances to your home to keep dirt from being tracked onto your carpet. Entry rugs and area rugs can be used to cover areas of your carpet where dirt accumulates the most or heavy traffic areas. Carpet remnants are an additional way to protect your carpet. Runners also can be used through heavy traffic areas such as hallways and stairways. The runner shouldn't have carpet tape facing your carpet because it could eventually cause staining or discoloration.

Cleaning

• Another way to keep soil from building up and damaging your carpet is steam cleaning and spot cleaning. A professional steam cleaning will remove deep-down soil that can't be removed by a vacuum cleaner, and it will help your carpet last a long time. When spots or stains occur on your carpet, they should be removed as soon as possible or they could soak into the carpet fibers. Gently dab spots or stains with a dry cloth such as a paper towel or terry cloth towel. Spray plain warm water to rinse the stains, and press clean cloths to absorb excess moisture. Vacuum after the area dries completely.