High Carpet Traffic Areas

Your carpets go through a lot especially if you keep them in high traffic areas. Carpets in the entrances, hallways, stairways and living rooms are subject to more abuse than other rugs and carpets. Unless you choose the right carpets and maintain them very well, they will show early signs of wear and tear and will need to be replaced frequently.
There are certain factors that you need to take into consideration, other than the price tag before you buy carpets especially if they are chosen for high traffic areas.

Choose the right type of fibers
Shag carpets are really cute and fuzzy since they add warmth to your home. Nevertheless, if you live in a home with kids and pets or need to install carpets to high traffic areas, shags might not be the right choice. They are not easy to clean and they will show early signs of wear and tear.
Densely woven carpets with low fibers make more sense. The low pile height ensures that there will be no matting in high traffic areas and that your carpet will keep on looking good for a long period.

Choose the right color
The color that you want to choose might not be the best one for high traffic areas. Whites, grays and other light colors might look elegant but will not withstand the amount of abuse that your carpets are subject to. Go for darker colors but avoid black which can show every dust spot.

How to clean high traffic area carpets
Properly cleaning your high traffic carpets is the best way to keep them looking new. Consider each of the following methods and choose the one that you think would work best for your carpets:

• Dry cleaning is more appropriate for high traffic areas than other wet methods. Too much water and moisture can damage the back lining of your carpets. Choosing a reliable product and following the instructions carefully will ensure that your carpets will stay in good condition. Always start by vacuuming your carpets to remove as much dirt as possible. The cleaning process should start from the edges of the carpet towards the inside. After the powder is removed, a nozzle is used to restore the pile.
• Using foam cleaner is another fast way to clean the dirt. The process starts by vacuuming your carpets and choosing a safe cleaner for your pets and children. The foam cleaner is used as instructed then use an extraction machine for deep cleansing using steam. If a steam cleaner is not available, a damp towel can soak up the residue since it may attract more dirt in the future.
• The hand shampoo method might be the most appropriate one if you are planning to do some cleaning on your own. The process is safe and easy with less residue than other methods that are better left to the professionals. Be careful with choosing the detergent that would suit your particular carpet type. An enzyme cleaner will work with nylon fibers but will digest wool and cotton. Use a spray bottle filled with water to avoid over wetting your carpet. Use a soft brush to rub the carpet and avoid over scrubbing the fibers. Pat the area dry then use a damp towel to rinse the carpet. Use a clean towel to soak up the moisture.