1.           

Place doormats in your entrance and hallway, and other high traffic areas, to collect soil and grime. 

2.  
        
  Vacuum your home regularly, especially in high-traffic areas such as hallways, the living room and kitchen areas.  Twice a week should be the minimum and more if you’ve kids and lots of guests.

3.
         
   If you have pets, they will be shedding fur on your carpets and rugs, so bathe them regularly to keep them clean. 

 4.        

    If you spill something on your carpet, don’t waste time.  Use a paper towel or clean white cloth to blot up the liquid.  If a stain appears, do not rub at it – you will only make the situation worse.  Just dab at it then blot lightly.

 5.     
 
      Have your rug cleaned professionally on a regular basis – it’s still the best way to get rid of built-up dirt and grime that is trapped deep down in the fibers. 

6.      

      Clean the fringe of your rug by hand, brushing the fringe in its natural direction to avoid tearing it.

 7.        

    If you see a tear or hole in your carpet or rug, call an expert straightaway.  If you delay, things are only going to worsen.

 8.  

          Keep your rug out of direct sunlight – this is a surefire way of making it fade quickly. 

 9.

           When cleaning your carpet or rug yourself, always use ‘green’ environmentally-friendly, organic products.  They help protect the environment and make sure you, your kids and your pets are safe too. 

10. 

           When cleaning a rug at home, spot test it first.  Dab a tiny amount of the cleaning solution onto an inconspicuous part of the rug.  After half an hour, if the colors have not bled, you can carry on.