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Having kids and pets in your home can take a major toll on your carpets. Between accidents, spills, claws, mud, and general wear and tear, it's important to choose a carpet that is durable and easy to clean when little ones and furry friends are running around. Here are some top tips for selecting a carpet that will stand up to kids and pets.

Consider Material

When choosing a kid and pet friendly carpet, pay close attention to the material. Wool is naturally stain resistant and durable. Nylon is another good option - it's resistant to water, mildew, and wear. Avoid silk or other delicate materials that will not withstand heavy use.

Stay away from long shag or plush piles, which show tracks and mat down over time. Opt for low, tight loops in fibers like saxony, frieze, or Berber. These hide footprints well and don't catch pet claws. Hard twists like textured saxony and textured plush also disguise dirt and paw prints.

Seek Out Stain Protection

Today's carpets often come with built-in stain protection that creates a barrier around fibers. This prevents spills and accidents from being absorbed deep into the carpet. But you can add more protection with after-market treatments every year or so. Products with Scotchgard are excellent for resisting the messes kids and pets inevitably make.

Some carpeting even has antimicrobial protection to inhibit mold, mildew, and bacteria growth. This is useful in high-traffic areas that are prone to accidents. Though deep steam cleaning kills most germs, antimicrobials provide extra insurance in case you can't clean a stain immediately.

Pay Attention to Pile Height

Pile refers to the length of the carpet fibers. For households with kids and pets, experts recommend keeping pile at half an inch or below. Short piles are the easiest to keep clean and show less tracking. Plush and shag piles over half an inch will show every footprint and quickly look dirty even with frequent vacuuming.

More expensive carpets often have plusher piles but avoid going overboard. Luxurious plushes come at the expense of practicality with rambunctious pets and children. Find a happy medium between softness underfoot and durability.

Get the Padding Right

Don't neglect the carpet pad! This essential base prolongs the life of your carpets and directly affects their comfort underfoot. The best pad for pets has a density of seven to eight pounds. For households with kids and animals opt for formats that don't compress easily or lose shape over time.

Bonded urethane cushions with recycled fiber are ideal for pets. Rubber rebond pads also bounce back readily. Avoid prime urethane, which flattens rapidly under heavy use. Also steer clear of felt pads in favor of fiber, rubber, urethane, or dense sponge rubber.

Plan for Darker Colors

While light carpets show the least dust and hair, they instantly reveal every stain. With kids and pets, it's best to anticipate stains and choose mid-to-dark shades to camouflage minor issues. Multi-colored patterns in tones like brown, gray and rust help hide dirty paw prints, so you don't notice every speck of dirt.

Solid color dark neutrals like chocolate or charcoal gray also downplay grime. Just note that darker hues show fuzz and lint more readily. To prevent matted piles, vacuum frequently with an upright that beater bars to brush fibers.

Invest in a Carpet Cleaner

Even durable, pet and kid friendly carpets require frequent cleaning regimens. Track in a high-performing vacuum cleaner suited to your flooring type. Uprights with beater bars suits most carpets. Canister vacuums excel for delicate area rugs. Always use the attachments to reach corners and baseboards where fur and debris accumulate.

You'll also need an appliance for deep cleaning carpets once every year or so. Either rent a commercial grade cleaner from a home improvement store or purchase a top name brand unit designed for home use. Be prepared to clean high traffic areas more often where grime and bodily fluids take a toll.

Protect Your Investment

Choosing the right carpeting constitutes a significant investment for any home. When living with rambunctious pets and kids who inevitably track in dirt or have accidents you want flooring that can stand the test of time. Keep these tips in mind when selecting materials, fibers, colors, and accessories best suited for furry and little loved ones.

Pair kid and pet friendly carpeting with diligent cleaning habits for floors that maintain their beauty and wearing ability. Your carpets protect you from spills and mess - be sure to return the favor through careful product selection and maintenance.

If your limited income makes buying nice new carpets difficult, our Pay As You Go Carpets store can help. You can get carpets from us for just £10 per week without a large down payment. We have good quality, stylish carpets to choose from. If you aren't sure what kind of carpet would look best in your home, our experienced designers offer free consultations. They can help make a plan for your rooms and recommend carpets. With our flexible payment options, you can improve the look of your home today.