How Long Should A Carpet Last In Your Home?

Properly fitted carpets can actually help save energy as they play an important part in the insulation of your home. A good quality carpet feels soft and easy on your feet. And carpets absorb sound.

New technologies allow old carpets to be recycled – eliminating the need for acquiring raw materials. Upfront costs and installation may be more expensive than hard floors, but this expenditure is cost-effective over the carpet lifetime.

How long should a carpet last in your home? Read on…

Carpet Lifespan Facts

There are many factors that can affect the lifespan of your household carpets. These include your location, household numbers, if you have pets, and how your property is used.

The carpet lifespan in an average household of two to four occupants is normally about three to five years. This number may be lowered for families with pets and children. And increased with proper carpet care and maintenance. How long should carpet last in a home? A well-maintained carpet can last for up to 15 years.

Signs of Aging

An old carpet will start to show signs of wear and tear – starting with it not being comfortable as you walk on it due to deteriorating padding underneath. Replacing old carpet should be considered when even with the greatest care your carpet is showing the following signs:

• A flat or matted pile – polyester fibres are particularly prone to this – especially in areas of high footfall
• Stretched areas of carpet – ripples and uneven surfaces become potential tripping risks
• Fraying edges – and thinning areas of carpet that won’t respond to any amount of plumping up of fluffing
• Faded fibres – due to exposure to sunlight and constant cleaning your carpet may appear to be changing colour
• Mould and mildew – these problems underneath indicate it’s time for a carpet change
• Stains and odours – carpets trap debris deep inside the fibres making them difficult to clean and refresh when they’re old
• Increased allergy symptoms – your carpet may be the source of your allergies playing up as they retain bacteria and dust particles

Choosing the Right Carpet

There are many types of carpet fibres to choose from and these include:

• Wool – a natural fibre that’s very resilient but has poor stain removal
• Nylon – a synthetic fibre that’s hard-wearing and durable, and often treated to improve stain resistance
• Polyester – less resilient than nylon but is more fade-resistant and very stain-resistant and durable
• Olefin fibre – used in Berber or construction carpets as it’s least resistant to crushing – and the loops help to keep the fibre shape

You’ll also need to consider the weight, density, and pattern to ensure that your final choice is just right for your needs – and your budget.

Carpet Maintenance

Years can be added to the life of your carpet if you look after it correctly. This includes vacuuming on a daily basis – particularly in high traffic areas like the hallways and living room.

Use rugs and runners to minimise soling and to enhance colour schemes and décor. And avoid using carpet powder products as it’s easy to leave remnants of the powder in the carpet which can result in a sticky covering if dampened.

Stains can be treated in several ways depending on the age of the stain. And what the stain is. See a brief guide below:

• Wax, crayon, gum, and paint – apply a small amount of dry-cleaning solvent
• Beer, blood, chocolate, soft drinks – mix washing up liquid with a cup of lukewarm water
• Urine, vomit, and wine – mix half a tablespoon of ammonia with half a cup of water – or half a cup of white vinegar with a cup of water

Apply solutions with a clean cloth or towel and blot only – testing an area of unseen carpet first. To prevent any detergent residue, you’ll need to thoroughly rinse off the solution afterwards and allow to dry.

Professional Carpet Cleaning

To keep your new carpet in perfect condition you should try and get it deep cleaned about twice a year. Expert carpet cleaners will use hot water extraction methods that penetrate deep into the carpet fibres. Removing any dirt and debris, and harmful bacteria. Only eco-friendly cleaning solutions will be used making the entire process safe for your family and pets.

Regular carpet maintenance will prevent crushing and dulling – and stain protection offered by specialist carpet cleaners will make future spills easier to clean.