Secrets of Long Lasting Carpet.

• Vacuum it as often as several times a week; shampoo it at least once a year.
• Distributing wear patterns will also help prolong a carpet’s life. To do this, periodically rotate the carpet or reposition the furniture.
• Shampooing to deep-clean a carpet, use a supermarket spray-on carpet cleaner or a shampooing machine. Apply spray-on cleaner to the carpet one section at a time, then work it into the fibers with a damp sponge. When the cleaner dries, vacuum the residue away.
• Odors and stains. To deodorize a carpet, sprinkle baking soda over it, wait 30 minutes, then vacuum. For strong odors, rinse the area with a 20-80 solution of vinegar and water. When possible, clean spills immediately, blotting them with a clean white cloth instead of scrubbing them. The longer a stain sits, the harder it is to remove.
• Environmental hints new-carpet fumes. Most new carpets release fumes that can produce eye and throat irritation and nausea in some people. Keep the windows open and close off the room for at least 72 hours after installation.