Carpet is an expensive investment; one that you will want to last for many years. To keep your carpet looking its best and increase its lifespan, you should consider doing the following:

Vacuum Regularly

Most of the dust and dirt that settles into your carpet is made up of hard particles. These particles are abrasive and take a toll on the health and appearance of your carpet. By regularly vacuuming, you can remove most of the particles, which will prolong your carpets life and also enhance its appearance. You should vacuum high traffic areas daily, less traffic areas twice a week and the entire house once a week. A good quality vacuum with a rotating brush or beater bar is recommended. Also make sure to change the bag or empty the canister often.

Spot Cleaning

Spills and stains should be cleaned immediately by removing excess liquid or solids and blotting the area. Using a cleaning agent and clean cloths, continue to rinse and blot until the spilled substance is completely removed. High use areas such as doorways and traffic paths will collect dirt faster than other areas. You should clean these areas as needed to prevent the dirt from spreading.

Preventive Maintenance and Care

You should use mats or runners at all entrances. This will help reduce the amount of dirt tracked onto the carpet. Make sure to clean the mats or runners regularly. Close blinds and window treatments to shield your carpet from direct sunlight. This will help extend its beauty and life. Protect your carpet from damage and impressions from furniture by using coasters. Never move furniture with wheels directly across the carpet, use some form of barrier between the wheels and carpet. Be extremely careful with all chemical agents and cleaning products, some of which can discolor and even dissolve the carpet fibers.

Professional Cleaning

Even with regular vacuuming and exercising preventive maintenance and care, stains and dirt will still settle into your carpet. In areas of heavy foot traffic, these substances can be driven very deep into the fibers. Professional cleaning is recommended at least once every twelve to eighteen months to extract the deep down dirt and grime. This professional cleaning, using hot water extraction, will refresh your carpets appearance.

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Chris Daniel is the webmaster and publisher of http://www.CarpetCleaningHints.com Please visit his site for more information about Cleaning Carpet Stains and to get Carpet Cleaning Tips