5 Ways to keep carpet clean and looking like new for longer

We know, it can be tricky to remember to remove your shoes every time you run in and out of the house, particularly if you have kids or multiple doors leading outside. This is crucial though in increasing the longevity of your carpets. Dirt, grit and other nasties will inevitably get trapped on shoes that transfer to the indoor flooring. Scratching hard floors and trapping dirt into carpet- shoes are really bad news. Pop a basket or rack near the main door of the house to prompt removal. Add floor and door mats at entry points and ensure there is somewhere to sit and remove shoes for guests too (this could be a chair, an ottoman or even a nice timber stool in space-conscious entryways).

For more in-depth flooring information specifically in the entryway area of the home, this blog is for you! Beautiful entryway and hallway floor ideas for your home. 

Stuff happens and life will see us or our family or guests spilling something on our carpets and carpet cleaning will be necessary. There’s only so much preventative care here so the most practical way to address it is to take action quickly. How to clean carpet stains is a common question and the answer is the more quickly we act when it comes to spills, smudges and accidents on carpet the better the result. For more information on how to clean up spills on carpet and carpet stain removal, read our Carpet Care Guide.

Our lives are busy, and cleaning can feel like such a relentless chore! However, it really does help keep our carpet looking lovely for longer. Regular vacuuming ensures dirt and grit trapped in the fibres are lifted before it becomes a permanent stain. Your carpet will love you for its weekly vacuum and yearly (or thereabouts) professional carpet clean by a reputable company.

If you’re looking to install new carpet in your home, choosing the right carpet fibre and carpet style for your home and your lifestyle is so important. There are many great options for family homes, homes with pets and areas that receive more foot traffic than average. The Flooring Xtra Carpet Guide is a great place to start researching.

Furry friends are so loved and a big part of life in Australia. Many cats and dogs spend lots of time indoors so our flooring can be at risk of scratching and claw damage. There are carpets and hard flooring styles that are better suited to paws and claws but if you already have carpet that you love you will just have to keep an eye on them. Keep claws trimmed (safely) and clean up fur, accidents and dirt promptly. Our carpet and pet guide can also be found here if you are a pet owner looking for new carpet.

Underlay is definitely the less interesting part of choosing new flooring! However- while we don’t see what’s under our carpet each day, a quality underlay will prolong the life of your carpet by working hard to reduce wear. It also makes the carpet feel softer to walk across and can help with sound absorption. Flooring Xtra use Dunolp EnviroTred which is not only a quality product but also one that is sustainable, being made from 90% recycled material and 100% recyclable. You can learn more about that here.

How can you stop rugs from moving on the floor?

Rugs are beautiful additions to any room but if not secured they can become a slip or trip hazard. There are a few ways to deal with this. You can either anchor the rug to the floor with furniture to restrict movement or use a non-slip pad between the floor and the rug.

What is the best sort of carpet to have at home?

Choosing new carpet for your home is a big decision and there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Every home and family are different. Do you have pets? Small children? Is your home a holiday rental? Each carpet fibre and structure lends itself to a different look, feel and budget and you can read more about them all in our Carpet Guide.

What are the benefits of a professional flooring installation?

Deciding what new flooring you will install at home is a big deal! There is a lot to consider and it’s an investment which is why it’s important to get the installation done by the professionals- they know what they are doing and are incredibly knowledgable. They have all the right tools, they can problem solve, drawing on years of experience and get things done promptly. Each Flooring Xtra store has its own professional installers so you can relax while the experts get the job done!