Well-maintained carpet adds beauty and value to your home. Long appreciated for its warmth, softness and visual appeal, carpet is one of the most common flooring types used in homes today. However, as every home owner knows, carpet doesn’t last forever. After all, we walk all over it! A certain amount of tender loving care is required to keep it looking and smelling fresh for the long term.

When it comes to the deterioration of your carpet, dust and grit are the most common culprits. Dust can be easily removed, but if not addressed regularly can lead to discoloration. Grit is more abrasive, and can actually tear away at the carpet fiber itself. What’s more, the longer dust and grit are allowed to remain in your carpet, the further into the fiber they become embedded. When the carpets are eventually vacuumed, dust is pulled further to the surface and becomes entangled in the fibers, making the carpet appear dirtier rather than cleaner.

Given the constant wear and tear on this important element of your home, it’s essential that you protect your investment by maintaining your carpet properly.

Consider Door Mats
Simple door mats placed at the entrances to your home can do wonders for your carpet. Designed to capture dirt and grit before it enters the home, door mats will not only reduce wear and tear on your carpets; they can also reduce household dust dramatically and help to keep your home free of allergens. Most door mats are relatively inexpensive, and they’re available in a wide variety of styles and colors to complement any home décor.

Take Off Your Shoes
Even if you’ve trained your family to consistently wipe their feet upon entering your home, residual dust and dirt can still make its way onto your carpets. Place shoe racks at external doors to remind family members and visitors to remove their shoes. Not only will you extend the life of your carpet; you’ll never have to worry about lost shoes again! Like door mats, shoe removal will also help to reduce household dust and allergens.

Vacuum Regularly
You can avoid the collection of deep-down dust and grit by vacuuming your carpets regularly. Most carpet experts recommend vacuuming at least twice per week, but you should consider foot traffic as well. High traffic areas may require more frequent vacuuming, as will carpets in homes with pets.

Choose a vacuum that is effective, easy to use and air-tight. A vacuum that allows dust to escape from its bag or canister is defeating the purpose of cleaning your carpets in the first place. Expensive vacuums are not necessarily better—a little research will help you to find the best value on the right model for you.

Deep Clean
In addition to vacuuming, regular deep cleaning is necessary to keep your carpet looking its best. Although most households will not need to have their carpets professionally cleaned more than once or twice per year, homes with pets, smokers or lots of kids will probably need more frequent attention. While some grocery stores offer steam cleaner rentals, your best bet is to leave deep cleaning to the professionals. Improper steam cleaning can lead to carpet mold and damage to the carpet fiber. Choose a well-reputed local carpet cleaner that has experience working with your type of carpet. It’s also important to follow the technician’s instructions for after care to ensure the best possible results.