Got Kids? Here's How To Keep Your Carpet Clean

If you have kids, you know how much havoc they can wreak on your carpeting. Even if your carpet is dark-colored or very durable, it can still show the signs of stains and wear in any household, especially if you have children in your home. Luckily, if you are willing to implement a few rules and strategies in your home, then you can make keeping your carpet clean a whole lot easier.

Make a No-Shoes-in-the-House Rule

Shoes can track in lots of dirt and mud into the home. Your best bet is to encourage your entire family to kick their shoes off at the door rather than wearing them in the house. Not only can this help you prevent stains on your carpet, but it can also make general vacuuming a lot easier as well. Provide a nice shoe rack or other designated area near the door for shoes, and lead by example by kicking your own shoes off when you enter your home.

Get Your Kids Involved in Carpet Care

If your kids know how much work it can be to keep your carpet in good condition, they might be more careful not to mess it up. Plus, kids who put an effort into helping might take more pride in your carpet's appearance. Therefore, kids should get involved in the care of your carpet. For example, you can add vacuuming to your children's daily chores. You can also make your own safe yet effective carpet cleaner out of water, vinegar, dishwashing liquid and baking soda and teach older children how to clean up stains.

Don't Allow Eating and Drinking on the Carpet

No matter how careful your kids might be, there is a good chance that someone might spill something on the carpet while eating or drinking. This is even true for adults! This is why it's generally easier to implement a rule in your household that no one is allowed to eat or drink anything in carpeted rooms in the house. If you do choose to allow eating and drinking on your carpeted surfaces, insist on dry snacks -- such as cereal -- rather than things that will be more apt to spill, and use cups with lids.

Keeping your carpet looking great can be a pain, especially if you have a family. Luckily, if you follow these tips, you can help keep your carpet looking great no matter how large your family is or how young your kids are. For more information on home carpet, talk to a company like Coordinated Interiors.