Proper carpet maintenance ultimately begins at the point of purchase, where planning and forethought with regards to the expected use of the carpet should be considered together with fibre type, price and colour.  Carpet offers may advantages over other flooring systems, such as reduced fatigue, warmth, sound absorptions and lower life cycle costs.  From the start a Carpet Maintenance Program should be considered part of the carpet buying decision.

Carpet whether Wool, Nylon or a Wool-Nylon blend requires maintenance to ensure the full life of the carpet, as given by the Manufacturer, is met.  If proper maintenance is neglected, the carpet's appearance will suffer, shortening the carpet's useful life and raising long-term costs.  A comprehensive carpet care program consists of six elements:

1. Reduction of soiling entering the building
   Supply rugs or mats at all external entry points, to prevent soil and grime entering the property; and preferably removing shoes.
   
2. Removal of dry soil
   Regular vacuuming (at least weekly) with a quality vacuum cleaner that has a suitable dust filtering system, ensuring dust and dirt is not blown back out of the cleaner and onto the carpet.  When dirt settles on the carpet and isn't removed, it works its way down the fibre shaft and settles at the base, where it then acts like a cutting agent when walked on, grinding into the fibre tearing and shedding and thereby giving the carpet a dull and tatty appearance.
   
3. Removal of spots and spills (see CARPET CARE)
   Careful spot cleaning without delay.
   
4. Regular cleaning by hot water extraction
   Yearly carpet cleaning in residential properties and six monthly carpet cleaning in commercial properties is recommended for all carpet types.  If you don't clean your carpet regularly, it can be full of bacteria, fungus, chemicals, dust, food particles, germs, pollen, grease, grit and dust mites.
   
5. Eco-friendly, non-toxic, carpet recolouring as required
   At any stage during the carpet's life, the carpet can be recoloured using non-toxic vegetable based dyes, to refresh fading, disguise marks and stains or discolouration and modernize dated colour.
   
6. Environmentally safe disposal
   Ensuring the disposal of carpet and underlay at the end of its life span, is completed in a managed environment, where any re-useable carpet components are processed for re-use and the remaining carpet is disposed of in a regulated fashion.  A number of companies and some government departments are looking at setting up recycling plants for carpet and underlay.   Contact your local council for more information.

The importance of planning carpet maintenance needs to be established as a scheduled program, rather than being a random series of reactions to soiling conditions and infrequent cleaning.  Virtually every complaint of poor appearance, rapid soiling and may times poor performance has been shown to be related to a lack of planning and control of a carpet maintenance program.