3 Ways to Make Your Carpet Last Longer

If you just got new carpet, then you know how expensive it is. Although your carpet may look beautiful and clean right now, as your family walks on it, your pets walk on it, and spills happen, your once-new carpet can start to look old quickly. Luckily, you can help your carpet last longer so that you don't have to replace it anytime soon.

From having a no-shoe rule to getting your carpets cleaned regularly, this article will list three specific things that you can do.

1. Have a No-Shoe Rule

Whether you have little kids, big kids, or just a lot of friends who come over to your house, all of that foot traffic isn't going to do your carpet any favors (even if people wipe their feet before they come in).

Think of all of the places that people walk throughout the day, both outside and inside, and then imagine all of that foot traffic coming into your house and getting onto your carpet — it's pretty gross, right?

Taking shoes off isn't just practical. Recent studies show that 26% of shoes carry Clostridium difficile, which is the last thing you want in your house. 

To help protect your carpet from all of that dirt and bacteria, have a no-shoe rule. When everyone gets home or to your house, give them a friendly reminder to take off their shoes and just walk around in their socks instead.

2. Vacuum Regularly

Try getting into the habit of vacuuming your carpets a few times a week, depending on how many people you have living in your house. The great thing about vacuuming is that it's fast to do and you can get a lot of dirt out of the carpet in just a few minutes. Remember that the more that you vacuum your carpet, the better. If dirt has longer to sit on your carpet, it's more likely to penetrate the fibers and be harder to get out.

When you choose a vacuum, look for one that is high powered but that doesn't have bristles that will tear your carpet up. Also, when you're vacuuming do about 4 to 6 passes in high traffic areas and 2 to 3 passes in lower traffic areas.

Another way to make your carpet last longer is to get it professionally cleaned every six months or so. Professional carpet cleaning will help you get out all of those tough stains (even if you have tried to scrub them out yourself) and help your carpet look like new. Also, professional carpet cleaning will help you maintain your carpet’s original color.

Remember all of the bacteria shoes carry? That bacteria has likely been transferred to your carpet. And if you have pets, then you likely have fur deep in your carpet as well as on the surface.

The best way to get rid of bacteria, fur, and dirt is with professional carpet cleaning. With a combination of cleaning materials, steam, and the proper machinery, your carpet cleaner can get rid of fur, dirt, bacteria, germs, and allergens that hide in your carpet. If you suffer from regular seasonal allergies, try having your carpets cleaned before the season starts to help you cut down on sneezing and itching.

If your carpets are starting to smell, then you should have them professionally cleaned. Odor is common in dirty carpet, but it can easily be treated with just one carpet cleaning. To help cut down on odor in the future, stick to a consistent carpet-cleaning schedule.

Since 1973, we have specialized in cleaning both carpet and tile. Contact our Smith-Mathis office today and let us help you keep your carpets looking newer for longer.