Living with small children and a variety of animals can be hazardous for your carpets. Keeping carpets clean and fresh looking can be a mission of epic proportions. The first step in the fight against dirty looking carpets is to choose your carpet wisely. Speak to the salesperson in the shop, they know best which carpet will hide everyday life. If you do choose a carpet that will show dirt then be prepared to work hard if you want it to look clean.
There are a variety of electrical cleaners available on the market, designed specifically for maintaining your carpet. These range from upright vacuum cleaners down to handheld cleaners, with a range of suction powers. Many appliances now have different power settings, which can be adjust for the type of carpet and amount of dust to be picked up. These cleaners can also be used on different floor types and even on kitchen worktops (with the correct nozzle attachment). In addition to a vacuum cleaner it may be useful to invest in (or rent) a carpet cleaner to refresh your carpet. This is only suitable for occasional use as the carpet needs time to dry.

As well as using a good electrical appliance to clean your carpet, it is worth investing in a few cleaning products. A carpet stain remover is a must for any accidental spills. If you use a stain remover not designed for carpet then you may end up with a stain on top of the original stain. A powder deodoriser is also essential for a carpet as the fibres can soak up smells from the environment (like cooking smells or wine spills) and retain them.