Frugal Carpet Maintenance:

Increasing the life-span of Carpets 

High Traffic Areas:

Rearrange Your Furniture

It is good to move your furniture from time to time to change the traffic pattern in your house. Carpets wear down quicker in high traffic areas.

Area Rugs

Depending on how your house is laid out you may have some areas that will have high traffic regardless of how your furniture is arranged. Consider area rugs in these locations to minimize uneven wear. Stair runners will almost double the life-span of carpet on the stairs.

Furniture cups

Furniture cups can assist in alleviating pressure marks.

Cleaning:

Vacuum Regularly

Dirt helps wear down the fibers in your carpet. Vacuum regularly and place welcome mats at your home's entrances. High traffic areas may do well with once-a-day vacuuming, while low traffic areas may be fine when vacuumed a couple of times a week.

Shampoo Rugs

Shampoo rugs at least twice a year. Vacuuming gets out about 80% of the dirt in your carpets. Shampooing will get out the rest of the ground-in dirt.

Stain Prevention:

Purchase a stain resistant carpet. It is important to know that stain resistant carpets may still stain, however they will be less likely to stain.

Spill Awareness

Treat spills quickly for the best chance of avoiding a stain.

Designate Eating Areas

The less you eat in carpeted areas the better your chances to avoid stains and spills.

Frugal Fanatic Tip:

Snip loose threads to remove a loose thread that sticks up above the fiber. For more carpet information visit the Carpet and Rug Institute at: www.carpet-rug.com