When it comes to carpet there can be a few misconceptions when it comes to cleaning, foot wear, and well maintenance. Carpet is just like any other flooring, it likes to be cleaned. You cant over vacuum your carpet, especially on your stairs and in your hall way. A rule of thumb is you should know is you should be vacuuming your carpet once a week per individual/ animal living at your house. So in our house hold there lives 5 people a dog and a cat so with this we should be vacuuming everyday... we don't, but we do our best. When it comes to cleaning your carpets... STEAM is the only way to go. Chemical cleaning is very bad for your carpet, when the chemicals get on your carpet it makes your carpet fibers stick together. Steam cleaning your carpet should be done at least once a year by a certified carpet cleaner. Every 6 months for people who have lots of pets or smoke. When you get your carpet cleaned it has a tendency to get 'revived' from all the foot traffic that it withholds to. With this is mind steam cleaning your carpet will keep your carpet looking good and preform better. As a side note manufacture warranty's 'fine print' will take note that you need to maintain your carpet to their standards on vacuuming and steam cleaning.
Now for a side mark dealing with the blend of your carpet (Nylon, Polyester, ect.) Polyester carpet needs to be cleaned more often to have optimum performance. Nylon has better wear when it comes down to it. If you have high traffic areas ( stairs, hallways) then those areas may need to be done more often than a low traffic area (bedrooms, ect.).
(images off google)
