tips to make carpet last longer?

[kmeyrick]

Thanks for the responses! I have a new carpet that was installed when I got my apartment, but it's darn cheap and low quality. I can't afford to get it replaced at all, so any ideas to keep it decent are great!

[brennasmom]

Don't walk on it ... just kidding

A carpet guy told us frequent vacuuming helps

[old_lady_in_the_shoe]

My husband owns and operates our professional carpet & upholstery cleaning co. so this subject is right at home with me

The best and easiest way to keep your carpets clean is to vacuum!
The "rule" is that you should vacuum 1 time per week for every person in your family and for every large pet... we have 4 people and 4 dachshunds and 1 huge dog, so we vacuum everyday!
If there are only 2, then vacuum at least 2 times per week.

Carpets get "ruined" this way...most people thing it "looks dirty" in traffic area, but what really happens is...
Dirt gets into your carpets (by walking on them or other regular use) and while the dirt is there, you walk back over it...the dirt actually cuts the fibers of the carpet and when you vacuum, more and more of the fibers "go away".... the dirt is the killer NOT the vacuum, so vacuum, vacuum, vacuum!

Most new carpets have a warrenty with them but if you read the FINE PRINT...it states (usually) that you carpet MUST be PROFESSIONALLY cleaned at least once per year to keep your carpet in warrenty...and ALOT of them state That it cannot be steamed cleaned...watch those warrenties ladies!!! Read them and ask questions about them.

Stain protections is great too, but it only last for a short time...about 300 vacuums and it is pretty much degraded, but if you reapply a stainguard item, make SURE it is applied ONLY on fresh cleaned carpet and there are no stains left, or you will set in your stains. Don't pay an arm and a let for this, the products by 3m are the same products that most pros use, just follow the directions.

Most carpets are produced/put together with glues now...and some glues are better than others, they degrade and this is what causes a lot of the carpets to get rolls in them and need stretching...
Over cleaning your carpets or getting them too wet or using strong solvents on them can also cause this glue to seperate the carpet from the backing, so watch what you use on them to clean...professionally or otc products.

We say NO to any carpet deodorizers...they are horrible, my hubby calls it death for your carpets (mr. dramatic,lol)

If you get your carpets professionally cleaned, ask questions...find out what chemicals they use, what is left in your carpet when it dries, if it can set anything in, and if they are green or non-toxic...
Quick drying methods seem to be the best (imho) the dry powders are bad (imho) and a lot of steam methods get your carpets too wet and wet the padding under the carpet and can cause issues too.
Carpet that stays too wet, can start to brown out (espeically on lighter carpets). Ask questions and get references!!!