Zenoyise Madikwa

Zenoyise Madikwa

Interior designers love to incorporate carpets in the design of a home because they add style and warmth to a room.

According to interior decorator John Wright, this season carpets are big again. He says stripy carpets also seem to be making inroads again in both homes and offices.

Felepe Mazibuko says this trend follows fashion designers.

"This year, styles in the fashion world continue to influence interior design, providing some fantastic, hip flooring options for the home."

Wright says bright-coloured stripes can add an extra bit of zeal to neutrally-decorated rooms.

"Striped carpets can be used to lengthen rooms, adjust perspective and bring together much wider colour palettes than would otherwise be possible," Wright says.

Maintaining the carpet

Keeping a carpet clean is one of the biggest tasks for homeowners. A clean carpet is an assurance of a healthy home and a cozy feeling.

According to Keith Brown of Keith Cleaning Services, there are several things that can be done to keep carpets looking brand-new.

"A good rug will last a long time and retain much of its original beauty if it is looked after well."

He advises that a carpet be cleaned regularly, even if it does not have stains on it. He adds that dirt and grime embedded in a carpet can create many problems, including worsening allergies.

"Cleaning carpets will keep them looking new and smelling fresh," Brown says.

Tips for taking care of your carpet:

Rearrange your furniture

It is good to rearrange furniture from time to time. A carpet is worn down faster where people walk.

Vacuum regularly

Dirt helps wear down the fibres in your carpet. Vacuum regularly and place mats at your home's entrances. Also consider a "no shoes" policy. High-traffic areas can use vacuuming once a day while low-traffic areas can be vacuumed a couple of times a week.

Area rugs

Depending on how your house is laid out, you may have some areas that will have high traffic regardless of how your furniture is arranged. Consider rugs in these locations.

Don't let dirt in

Keep walkways leading to your house clean to cut down on the amount of dirt tracked into the house.

Shampoo carpets

Shampoo carpets at least once a year. Consult manufacturers for type of cleaning equipment and, or detergents for your type of carpet.

Spill awareness

Treat spills quickly to prevent stains. If you have children, make sure they know they need to tell you about spills immediately.

Snip loose threads

To remove a loose thread that sticks up above the fibre, snip with scissors instead of pulling on it, which can pull out more than just the thread.

Designate eating areas

Many spills can introduce oils into a carpet, which attract dirt and help lead to a dingy-looking carpet. The less you eat in carpeted areas the better your chances are of avoiding spills.

How to tackle stains

Accidental spills are an unfortunate fact of life and no carpet is totally stain-proof. Remember the golden rule: instant treatment means instant cure.

Never rub. Always blot to a damp dry state.

Liquid spills should be soaked up immediately with absorbent white tissue or a clean, dry cloth. Avoid excessive rubbing and always work from the outside edges to the centre of the stain to avoid spreading.