1) Carpet Care: - Protect your investment before problems occur.

New flooring represents a substantial investment. The proper steps will make sure it stays attractive for years to come.

• Place walk-off mats at all entrances: Walk-off mats should be used at the exterior of all entrances to absorb the soil and moisture. They can help trap the excessive dirt, sand, grit, and other substances such as oil, asphalt, or driveway sealer that would otherwise be tracked into the home. Mats should also be cleaned on a regular basis so they don't become sources of soil themselves.

• Use a quality pad: You should always use a quality pad under your carpet, particularly on stairs. A good carpet pad not only gives better resilience and comfort underfoot, it can extend the life of your carpet. Because some carpets carry warranties with specific density and thickness requirements, be sure and review your warranty before purchasing your pad.

• Occasionally move heavy furniture: Move heavy furniture occasionally to avoid excessive pile crushing. You should also use floor protectors designed for carpet under the legs of tables, chairs, and other furniture to help distribute the weight. Do not use chairs or appliances with rollers or casters without a chair pad designed specifically for carpet or damage can occur.

• Protect carpet when moving furniture : When moving heavy wheeled furniture (pianos, buffets, etc.), prevent damage by placing a protective barrier of heavy cardboard or plywood between the wheels and the carpet.

• Clean your area rugs: If you use area rugs on your carpet, be sure to clean them regularly. Clean and restore the pile of the carpet underneath as well. Also, be sure to check area rugs for colorfastness before placing them on carpet because the color in some rugs may bleed through. After cleaning your carpet, allow it to dry completely before replacing rugs.

• Reduce periods of direct sunlight: Protect your carpet from prolonged periods of direct sunlight with blinds, shades, or awnings.

2) Carpet Care:  - The most important step in caring for your carpet. Vacuum carpet thoroughly and frequently, particularly in high-traffic areas. Realize that walking on soiled carpet allows the soil particles to work their way below the surface of the pile where they are far more difficult to remove and can damage the carpet fibers. Frequent vacuuming removes these particles from the surface before problems occur.

For rooms with light traffic, vacuum the carpet traffic lanes twice weekly and the entire area once weekly. In areas with heavy traffic, vacuum the carpet traffic lanes daily and the entire area twice weekly. Up to three passes of the machine will suffice for light soiling, but five to seven passes are necessary for heavily soiled areas. Change the vacuuming direction occasionally to help stand the pile upright and reduce matting.

3) Carpet Care: - Because, let's face it, they just can't always be avoided. Protect your carpet--step by-step: No carpet is stain proof, but since many are stain resistant, you have time to act. Look below to see if the specific spill you're trying to remove is listed. If so, you'll see instructions to help. If not, use the following general guidelines.

4) Carpet Care: - Because vacuuming doesn't get everything.

• Vacuuming alone won't protect your carpet:  

Even though vacuuming can remove most soil, it is also necessary to clean your carpet on a regular basis to remove the oily, sticky soil that vacuums don't remove. These soils result from cooking vapors, air pollution, and tracked-in dirt from outside. The particles of oily soil deposited on carpet fibers can cause gradual but significant dulling of colors. The color isn't lost, but is hidden under the film. If this type of soil is allowed to accumulate, it begins to attract and hold the dry soil.

If carpet is cleaned before it becomes too unsightly, the cleaning chore will be easier and more successful. Carpet in a typical household should be cleaned every 12 to 18 months, depending on the number of residents and amount of activity.

Choosing the proper cleaning system is important. Some systems may leave residues which accelerates re-soiling and defeats the whole purpose of cleaning. The recommendations below represent the best current knowledge and should help prolong the time between cleanings.

• What cleaning system should you use? Jaipur Carpets recommends the hot water extraction system:

Research indicates that the hot water extraction system provides the best capability for cleaning. This system is commonly referred to as "steam cleaning," although no steam is actually generated. The process consists of spraying a solution of water and detergent into the carpet pile and recovering the water and soil with a powerful vacuum into a holding tank. This can be done from a truck-mounted unit outside the home with only the hose and wand brought inside or by a portable system brought into the home.

• Professional or do-it-yourself?

It is to your advantage to use professional carpet cleaners because their experience enables them to do a better job than you can do yourself. Their equipment has more extraction power than the rental units available to individuals, and the carpet should dry more quickly. True professionals also understand the equipment, know the proper cleaning agents for the situation at hand, and recognize the differences in fibers and carpet construction.

Determining the proper size for a rug is just as important as finding the right color and pattern. To start, simply measure your room; then follow our room-by-room measuring guide to find the best fit. Keep in mind that we also offer custom-sizing for hard-to-fit areas.

Family Room: The general rule for sizing a rug is to allow 12 to 18 inches of flooring to “frame” the rug. For a small room, 12 inches may be more than enough space. One large rug works best in a large room because it does not visually divide the room. However, if the room has several furniture groupings, each can be organized with rugs compatible in size and color but not necessarily matching.

Dining Room: In a dining room, measure the length and width of the table. The rug needs to be large enough to allow chairs to be pushed back from the table without falling off the rug. This means that any of the chairs can be in a more conversational position before and after the meal without moving off the rug. Allow 30 inches on each side for side and armchairs.

Bedrooms: In bedrooms, one large rug is luxurious, but the bed will cover most of it. Smaller equal-sized rugs used around the bed are another option. The soft comfort of a rug is most appreciated when stepping in and out of bed.

Hallways: In hallways, the length is optional. Try to place a runner rug so it does not end in the middle of a doorway. In a very long hall, several small runners can work. They do not have to match but the colors should coordinate.

Carefully measure your room and also the area you would want your rug to cover. Large rugs are impressive while smaller rugs can be more versatile. Take a digital picture of your room and its contents to bring along. Since we carry three types of rugs, Persian, Bokhara and Tribal, visit our Types and Designs link to determine which type would create the look you desire for your room. Bring along any accessories you wish your rug to complement and perhaps a picture of other rugs which will lie near your new rug.

Look at rugs you are drawn to, but keep in mind that it is often the rug you least expect that looks best in your home. Be open to taking rugs home on approval. Seeing a rug on a platform in a showroom or even on the floor does not compare to seeing it in your own home, with your individual furniture and lighting. Don't be overly concerned about the rug "matching" other items in the room. A rug that "speaks to you" will provide more pleasure than one that goes well with its surroundings. Rugs contain many colors which will be drawn out by the accessories in your room.