There are a few basic tips that you should know about taking care of your carpets. If you follow the recommendations below, the life of your carpets will be extended and they will continue to have that natural look and feel you have grown to love!

Use a Quality Pad

Use a quality pad under your carpet, particularly on stairs. Good pad not only gives better resilience underfoot, but it can also add to the life of your carpet. Some carpets carry warranties with specific density and thickness requirements. Before purchasing your carpet pad, review your warranty.

Occasionally Move Heavy Furniture

Occasionally move heavy furniture to avoid excessive pile crushing. Put coasters intended for use with carpet under the legs of tables, chairs, and other furniture to help distribute the weight and prevent crushing the pile. Do not use chairs or appliances with rollers or casters on carpet without a chair pad designed for carpet. Continued use without a chair pad can cause damage to the carpet. When moving heavy wheeled furniture (pianos, buffets, etc.), prevent damage by placing a protective barrier of heavy cardboard or plywood between the wheels and the carpet.

Use Walk-off Mats

Walk-off mats should be used at all entrances to absorb soil and moisture, and mats should be cleaned on a regular basis so they don't become sources of soil themselves, especially during inclement weather. Sidewalks and entrances should be kept free of excessive dirt and substances which can be tracked into the home.

Use Area Rugs

If you use area rugs over your carpet, be sure to remove and clean them regularly. Clean and restore the pile of the carpet underneath. Be certain to check area rugs for colorfastness before putting them back over carpet, as the dyes in some rugs may bleed through to the carpet. After cleaning your carpet, remember to allow complete drying before replacing rugs.

Avoid Direct Sunlight

Protect your carpet from prolonged periods of direct sunlight with blinds, shades, or awnings.

• Use wipe-off mats at all entrances to keep dirt outside.
  
  
• Vacuum entrances and most used areas at least once a week to keep the dirt from spreading through the house.
  
  
• Remove spills quickly with correct procedure.
  
  
• Get your carpet professionally cleaned once a year or once every 6 months if you have small children or pets.
  
  Why should you clean your carpet?
  That is because a carpet is dirty long before it looks dirty.
  
  
• Carpets may look clean but may still be a breeding ground for germs, bacteria and microorganisms. Allergy causing materials such as pet hair or pollen can get into carpets and affect family members long after the allergy season or pet has gone.
  
  
• When people walk on carpets, any dirt that is in them causes extra friction and wear on the carpet fibers. This decreases their beauty and life in proportion to how dirty they are. More the dirt, lesser the life and beauty of the carpet.
  
  
• A high quality carpet will hide more dirt than a low quality carpet. A newer carpet will hide more dirt than an older carpet.
  
  So, take good care of your carpets and see to it that they don't turn into breeding grounds for germs and illness!