People all over the United States love carpeting. It has been estimated that the industry contributes about $5 billion to the American economy every year. It also comprises about 51% of the flooring market. For people who own carpets in their homes, cleaning them can be a challenge. Here are some things you can do to keep your carpets looking and smelling great.

1. Go barefoot. In a lot of cultures, people take off their shoes when they enter a person’s home. This is a great way to keep carpets and other flooring types clean. The reason is simple. Shoes track in a lot of dirt into and around a home. They are also harder on the carpeting than bare feet or those clad in socks or slippers so they damage it.
2. Use some protection. Another way to avoid needing carpet cleaning services all of the time is to use some kind of protection in certain areas of your home. Some people opt for decorative rugs in high traffic areas of a house. It is worth noting that the rug does also have to be cleaned but it takes a lot less effort to clean a rug than a whole carpet.
3. Every time you vacuum, use baking soda. There are also a lot of products out on the market to help with odor treatment for carpets that also have a similar impact to baking soda but the baking soda works just as well. Before you vacuum, sprinkle the baking soda around your home and leave on for a few minutes. Then when you vacuum, your carpeting will smell fresher.
4. Do a thorough vacuum job on a regular basis. One way of cleaning your carpet that keeps it in good shape for a longer period of time is to get into the habit of vacuuming it on a regular basis. Take it slow as you go through your home and make it a point to do this at least three times a week. This also prevents dirt from being ground into your carpet. The longer you take on your vacuum job, the cleaner your carpet will be and the longer it will last.
5. Pay attention to the bags and filters. These need to be looked at and changed more often than you probably think. If you let these things go, you will wind up with a less effective and efficient vacuum as it will lose suction power. Not only that but a dirty air filter can make your carpet smell worse after you have worked on it than it did before. No one needs that.
6. Schedule a deep cleaning every six months. Even if you are able to vacuum three times a week, you should still plan to do a deeper cleaning at least twice a year. Even if your carpeting looks clean, there may be dirt and dust trapped inside and only a deep cleaning can get it out. You can rent or buy a steam cleaner or have the professionals come in and take care of it.
7. Clean up stains as soon as you can. If you let a stain sit, it will become hard, if not impossible to get out. The best thing you can do when you see a stain is to deal with it right then and there. Blot out any stains you see with a damp rag or towel. If you scrub, you run the risk of making the stain worse and harder to deal with.
8. Have a carpet first aid kit. This should have different solutions and items for different stains. Some items you may want to have are shaving cream, carpet stain remover, club soda, hydrogen peroxide, and dishwasher detergent. Ice cubes work wonders on gum. Salt can also be used to soak up a lot of what you spill on your carpet.

There are a host of reasons to work hard to keep your carpet clean. Not only will it look better and last a lot longer but it will make your home a safer and healthier place to be. People who suffer from allergies or asthma really need to be in a home with a super clean carpet. Moreover, dust is gross.