Cleaning : Carpet Care 101 from Basics Selecting a new wall-to-wall carpet from the fabulous range of new styles, textures, colors, and patterns available on the market today is an important step in designing a special room in your home and represents an important decorating investment. Author : News Canada Published on : 3/31/2008 11:40:46 PM With the proper care and maintenance, you can protect that investment, add to the life of your carpet and help it retain its original special beauty to enjoy year after year, explains Tenley Luciano, Marketing Manager at Beaulieu Canada, Canada's largest carpet manufacturer. Depending on whether the carpet is made from nylon, polyester or polypropylene fiber, different carpets have different inherent stain resistant properties, says Luciano. In addition, many carpets on the market today are constructed or treated for extra soil and stain resistance, but no carpet is fully stain proof.   The three basic, simple, practical rules of care you must take to assure optimum, long lasting carpet beauty are: 1. Prompt clean-up of spills 2. Regular vacuuming 3. Periodic professional cleaning The most important thing you can do is vacuum thoroughly and frequently especially in high traffic areas. Soil, dirt particles and oily materials that cling to the carpet surface are abrasive to carpet fibers and will dull the appearance. In time, foot traffic drives the soil particles deeper into the carpet. For best results, use a vacuum cleaner or central vac system with a beater bar and good suction and keep bags and filters clean. You should have your carpet professionally cleaned approximately every 18 months to maintain optimum appearance. Carpet crafted today using the latest advancements in fiber and manufacturing technology, represents a floor covering choice that offers easy care, long-wearing, fabulous floor fashion and is a great value for your decorating dollar.