New carpet is a beautiful thing. It’s clean, its pile is still fluffy, and its colors are still crisp and bold. But give that carpet a bit of traffic, and it may start to lose its shiny new luster.

Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to keep your carpet looking new, and it starts with prevention.

1. Use Doormats

The best way to maintain your carpet is to protect it from dirt, spills and stains. A good way to do this is to use mats at all doors to catch mud, water, dirt, and other substances that would soil your carpet. Use a stiff-bristled mat outside your door and a thinner, softer one inside to protect the carpet where it meets the doorframe.

2. Remove Your Shoes

Doormats are a good first defense, but to really preserve your carpet’s beauty, make a habit of removing your shoes at the door. This keeps the dirt, oil, mud, and other gunk that your shoes encounter on the streets from being tracked into the house and ground into the pile of your carpet.

3. Vacuum Regularly

Most people sweep their hard floors several times per week, and a carpet that gets the same amount of traffic should be treated no differently. High-traffic carpeted areas of your home or office should be vacuumed daily to remove dirt buildup. Low-traffic areas can usually be vacuumed only once per week.

4. Clean Spills Immediately

Unfortunately, spills are an inevitable part of life, but that doesn’t mean set-in carpet stains have to be. Cut down on the number of unsightly spots on your carpet by tackling any spills as soon as they happen. Use clean, white cloths to soak up wet spills before applying a stain remover or cleaning solution to the area. For chunky spills, remove as much solid as possible before treating.

Related: Can Stain Removers Ruin My Carpet?

5. Blot, Don’t Rub

When cleaning a spill, most people’s reaction is to scrub at the spot. But scrubbing is actually the worst thing you can do to clean a spill — the back-and-forth motion grinds the stain deep into the fibers of your carpet and down to the padding below. Usually the spot disappears, but resurfaces later or the next time the carpet is dampened. Instead of scrubbing at a spill, blot it gently to absorb excess moisture before bringing out the stain remover.

6. Stay Out of the Sun

We all know that the sun’s UV rays can wreak havoc on our skin, but did you know that even your carpet is susceptible to sun damage? Your carpet can fade and break down over time if exposed to sun too often and for too long. This is especially true for synthetic fibers, which are a little less UV tolerant than natural materials. Keep your carpet looking brand new be closing the drapes before you leave each day.

7. Clean Periodically

Any carpet will need to be professionally cleaned periodically. High traffic areas usually need to be cleaned once every 6 months or so, while low traffic areas should be cleaned annually. Opt for a method that uses only a small amount of water to prevent the growth of mold or mildew, which drastically cut down on the life of your carpet.

Related: What Can I Use to Clean My Upholstery?

Dr. Chem-Dry’s carbonated cleaning method uses only one-tenth the amount of water used by other steam cleaners or traditional carpet shampooers. The carbonated cleaning solution lifts even the most stubborn dirt and grime to the surface, leaving no sticky, dirt-attracting residues behind.

To learn more about our specially formulated cleaning system, or to claim your free quote, give Dr. Chem-Dry a call at 602-243-6379.