Floors that are not carpeted can sometimes have a cold an uninviting look. Of course, this depends on your opinion. It is true that hardwood and tiled floors really can be cold to walk on in bare feet. If you live in a cold climate or if you live in an older home that is prone to some drafts in cold weather, carpeting can be a very comforting thing.

Some people might be led to believe that carpeting is harder to keep clean and looking great in comparison to hardwood or tiled floors. Well, if you have hardwood or tile, then you can honestly say that these floors have their drawbacks when it comes to cleaning too.

The grout in tile must be kept cleaned when it is a light colored grout, but you can not use any harsh cleaners if the tile is natural stone. Hardwood floors are prone to gather dust balls, especially if you live in dry dusty areas. They will also have to be swept, mopped and waxed regularly. Vacuuming regularly and occasional carpet cleaning is really no worse than caring for other floor types.

Protecting your carpet is not so difficult. First of all, choose a color that will be best for the room it is in. Never choose white or some other very pastel color in a room where there will frequently be children, pets, or constant traffic.

Berbers and other multi colored carpeting are great for these kinds of areas. Save the whites and pastels for master suites or guest rooms where there is more care taken and less traffic. If you are single or a couple, you can probably use light colors wherever you like.

It is important to vacuum any carpet regularly. This will help keep dirt from becoming embedded deep into the carpet and will help keep the pile from matting down as easily. Using rubber or plastic runners in hallways and entryways will help keep heavy traffic areas looking good.

These runners can be found in stylish colors and patterns that will not just look like a cover up. Shampoo your carpeting at least once a year and more often with children, heavy traffic, or with lighter colors. Spot treat and clean any stains as soon as possible. Scotch Guarding your carpet will help keep dirt from setting in until the next shampooing.