Tips on How to Keep your Carpet Looking New


Although more and more people are putting hardwood floors and tiles in their homes, carpet is still a highly popular flooring material that is available in a wide variety of textures, colors, materials and styles.  While many consumers still have carpet in their homes, some consumers are afraid of the maintenance required and the risk of carpet stains.

While carpet can very easily become stained, there are a few things that can be done to prevent heavy wear and tear of your carpet.  If your carpet is properly maintained, it will look great for many years.

Tip One: Look for colors and textures that will hide dirt or stains

If you have young kids, your carpet is going to get stained.  It is pretty much guaranteed.  If you’re in the market for new carpet and are looking for ways to keep it looking fresh, try to avoid light colors and carpets without any texture.  Try finding an off-white shade (beige, creamy-colors, sand and other neutrals) that will hide dirt and stains.  Of course, the darker the color, the better it will hide most stains.  Berber carpets and other textured materials also do a great job of hiding common stains such as juice, crayons or markers and certain food spills.

Tip Two: Try to avoid putting carpet in high traffic areas if possible

In order to avoid heavy foot traffic and stains, avoid having carpet in high traffic areas.  Try not to have carpet installed by door entries, especially by the front door, where many feet (oftentimes with dirt, mud and wet shoes) come and go.  Carpet is great for bedrooms, because it is warm and cozy, and not much of your time in spent on the floor.

Tip Three: Look for carpet that is stain resistant

We’ve all heard of those amazing carpets that are stain resistant, and the truth is, they really work.  While they may cost you a bit more money up front, it will pay for itself in the long run.  Stain resistant carpets are great in living rooms, kid’s rooms and rooms where much of your time is spent.  Find a good carpet cleaner and keep it handy for those accidents that are sure to happen.

Tip Four: Vacuum your carpet regularly

The more you vacuum your carpet, the better it will look.  Vacuuming your carpet removes dirt and helps reduce the affects of foot traffic.  It also helps remove allergens and reduce the dullness of the carpet.  Vacuuming your carpet regularly is one of the most important things you can do to ensure that your carpet continues to look great year round.

Tip Five: Use area rugs

Somewhere along the way, it was said that you can’t put an area rug on carpet.  But why not?  Adding an area rug to your carpet will add focal points, create texture and add warmth to the area.  To keep the carpet underneath the rug looking nice, be sure to move the rug and vacuum the carpet often.

Tip Six: Have guests remove their shoes

You may feel like this is rude, but turn the tables for a moment.  If you were at guest at someone’s home and they asked you to remove your shoes, would it bother you?  Odds are, probably not.  Having guests remove their shoes at your door will reduce the dirt brought in to your home.  To sweeten the deal, keep a nice basket full of cozy slippers or fun flip flops for your guests to replace their shoes with.  It will be a nice way of making sure your carpet stays clean.

Tip Seven: Have your carpet professionally cleaned often

No matter what you do, your carpet is going to need to be cleaned at some point.  Paying a little extra to have a professional cleaner come in and do the job will extend the lifespan of your carpet.  Do a little online research and find a reputable cleaner in your area with good reviews.  You can also rent a steam cleaner from a local hardware store and do the job yourself.  You’ll appreciate the look of your carpet once the work is done.

A Room With Wood Could Better Your Mood You know that calm feeling you get when you're staring at a fine piece of wood flooring? You may not be alone. The visual presence of wood surfaces within a room could lower people's stress, according to researchers at the University of British Columbia and FPInnovations. In their report, "Wood and Human Health," the researchers conclude that specifiers might choose wood in buildings to promote human health. "The application of wood visual surfaces indoors is one way to reduce stress and promote health in building occupants," the researchers wrote. The study was prompted by different research that suggested indoor plants provide health effects. To conduct the study, researchers created different office environments—one room furnished with wooden components and white, non-wood control room—and studied the effects of natural materials on the automatic nervous system. Subjects were administered an audio-based mathematics test, and the subjects working in the wood-adorned rooms showed lower levels of stress. The full report can be read here:

EIA Report: China is Doing Nothing to Stop Illegal Logging The fate of many of the world's natural forests hinges on regulatory efforts in China that could stanch the flow of illegally logged wood within its borders, according to a report from the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA). According to the EIA, a London-based NGO watchdog, China is "effectively standing on the sidelines" in the world's battle against illegal loggers as the country bears the title of the single-largest international consumer of illegal wood. Today China imports "wood stolen by organized criminal syndicates on a massive scale." To coincide with the report's release, EIA produced this film overview: In the past 10 years, the U.S., European Union (EU) and, as of Nov. 19, Australia have taken legislative actions to block illegal wood from its markets, certain producer countries like Indonesia have improved forestry sector enforcement, and China has taken steps to safeguard its own domestic wood resources. But at the same time China has nurtured a domestic wood processing industry reliant on importing raw materials, about 10 percent of which EIA suspects came from illegal sources in 2011. China is now the world's largest importer, consumer and exporter of wood and wood products. In its report, "Appetite For Destruction," EIA estimated that China's 2011 tab for illegally logged wood totaled $3.7 billion, or about 653.3 cubic feet of illegal wood products. A tax system favoring both imported raw wood and exported wood products has created long supply chains from South America, Africa and Asia into China. EIA reported that in 2001 China eliminated import tariffs on logs and sawn timber, and then in 2007 it introduced a 10 percent tax on wood exports but provided manufacturers a full rebate if their raw materials had been imported.