Hardwood floors are inarguably beautiful and they add so much value to your home. Whether your entire home is made up of hardwood floors or you just have a couple of accent rooms with the rest being carpet, it?s important to maintain wood floors to get the most out of them. Maintenance isn?t as difficult or time consuming as you might have heard, but you do want to make sure you?re following the right tips:

Protect Your Floors

The best maintenance is to prevent damage in the first place. Keep mats at every entrance to catch the worst of dirt and debris that comes in on feet. Make sure to keep your floors dry by cleaning up spills immediately and allocating a special place for footwear on rainy or snowy days. Sweep your floors regularly with a special duster broom or mop to prevent small dirt particles from scratching the finish.

Clean Your Floors Properly

You wouldn?t use a pressure washer to clean your carpet, would you? Use the right tools to clean your hardwood floors and they?ll last for decades. You can clean floors with a floor brush vacuum attachment, and use a damp mop to handle deeper cleanings. Many specialty cleaning agents exist for hardwood floors, so be sure you do your research to find out which ones are safe for your specific floor. Ask the manufacturer what they recommend if in doubt.

Keep Your Floors Looking New

Even with the best care, your floors will probably take on a few marks or stains over time. It?s important to know both what type of mark you?re dealing with and what type of finish your wood floor has. You?ll use different techniques depending on these variables. What works well on a hard sealed surface could destroy a floor with a soft oil finish.

Picking the right carpet for your home is extremely important. You?ll see it every day, you?ll walk on it, maybe lie on it, and your family will generally live on it. Of course affordable carpet is important, but you also want quality carpet that is right for you. Here?s an overview to help you choose the right type of carpet:

Texture

The texture of the carpet is determined by its pile. Pile is another term for the height of the fibers in the carpet. Some carpets have uneven piles, making them look shaggy, while others feature twisted fibers. These two textures lend themselves to a more modern, contemporary look. Carpet with an even, smooth pile looks more formal, traditional, and sophisticated. Different colored fibers can add even more depth to the textures of the carpet, so consider that aspect as well.

Feel

The materials that carpets are made from affect how they feel. Wools are very soft, but can be more expensive. Nylon fibers are less expensive and still feel good, so if you?re looking for an affordable carpet that the kids will enjoy rolling around on, nylon may be the answer. Cut piles are softer than loop piles, so take that into account as well. Remember, you may not always need a softer pile, especially in rooms that see a lot of traffic.

Color

Carpets are often a main focal point in a room. The color is crucial if your carpet is the focus of the room. Choose a neutral color if you have other colors and patterns in play in your dcor. Or, pick a color that highlights an accent color in your scheme. If you have kids or pets, consider a color that will hide dirt and small stains.

Keeping stains out of your carpet seems like a never ending job! Nothing ruins the look of carpets like a stain. But, with a few household ingredients and a little elbow grease, you can remove those stains easily. Watch this video to learn how to get those pesky carpet stains out of your carpet.

As this video demonstrates, many carpet stains can be removed with vinegar. Rubbing alcohol is also very effective at removing stains. For more stubborn or sticky stains, try a mixture of water, ammonia, and dish soap. Remember that the quicker you can get to a stain, the less likely it is to become permanently set into your carpet.