Many people install wall-to-wall carpeting in a room to try a change of pace and add that little something extra to their room\’s decor. Carpet, they find, is a lot more work than just a beautiful hardwood floor and you have to be much more careful with carpet. High traffic areas show up much quicker on carpeting and stains are infinitely harder to deal with. With carpeting, you cannot just wipe up a spill. Here are a few tips for you new carpet owners who struggle with the problems of everyday carpet care.

– Spills and chills
– Protect the floor beneath
– The rug doctor is in
– Runners at base

Keep A Shampoo Machine Handy
Spills and other problems, as in pet accidents, leave a much longer lasting impression on your carpet than your hardwood floors. Once something hits your carpet, it soaks right in and it takes a lot more effort to get it out. It is advisable to keep a carpet shampoo machine in your closet for monthly cleaning and those sudden accidents that are bound to happen. If you spill something on your carpet, whip out you machine and get it out completely. Water and other non-stainable substances should be sopped out and not wiped for the best results.

Floors Underneath Need Protection
Water on a carpet laid over hardwood is a major problem. You do not want to ruin the floor beneath because you never know when you might tire of carpet and long for your beautiful hardwood floor again. Lay a protective cover over your hardwood floor of something that does not allow liquid to pass all the way through. Get those spills up fast so they do not find a way to soak into your floor. Never allow a child to bring grape juice or other stainable food like blueberries into your carpeted rooms.

Rent The Doctor
The rug doctor knows how to clean your carpet. It may be rented at many hardware or even grocery stores. It is an all day job but the rug doctor machine is for deep cleaning the dirt and grime that soaks or rubs into the deepest pile of the rug. You may not get it all but you will get more from the high suction, deep cleaning machines.

High Traffic Runners
Using plastic runners is a great way to prevent wear on those high traffic areas but they are not pretty and can be dangerous. People can trip on the corner areas of those hard plastic runners even though the spikes are designed to dig in, which is not good for your carpet anyway. The better solution here is the long and narrow area rugs that will not only protect your carpet, they will add beauty and charm to your decor as well. You can match your carpet color or contrast with it for a contemporary look. Area rug runners do not slip like plastic and do not need spikes that can dig in and hurt your carpet. They are easily cleaned or replaces and feel much better than plastic.

It Is Just Common Sense
Keeping your carpet in shape and good repair is a matter of common sense and preventative measures. Pets are always a problem with carpets and should be kept away if possible but if not, keep those claws trimmed and let your pets outside as often as necessary to keep them from making a mess. Protect that flooring underneath for when you decide to go back to hardwood beauty.

Author Bio: For more information please visit our Area Rugs website.

Category: Home Management
Keywords: hardwood floor ,Shampoo,carpeting,Area Rugs