Tricks to Maintain Carpets and Rugs

vacuum when needed, and use a good stain lifter when something gets spilled.
shampoo 'em once or twice a year.
that's all i have the patience for. my floors are for me to walk upon. they don't get to be the boss. i expect my family and guests to be reasonable about not tracking in dirt, and we have mats at each doorway for wiping feet, but i will never make rules about who has to take off shoes.
khairete
S.

Get hardwood floors.

No shoes in the house.

Rearrange furniture occasionally to change wear patterns.

When a stain does happen, soak with a good spot pretreater and let sit for at least 2 hours. Then use a spot carpet cleaner on it (like a portable Bissel or whatever).

Don't walk on with shoes and do at least a quick vacuum every day

I went to a carpet store once that had off white carpet in a high traffic area. I was shocked when they told me the carpet was about 10 years old. They told me the secret was daily vacuuming and to vacuum the room from every direction. (Ie. going right to left, left to right, front to back and back to front. Therefore you are vacuuming each room 4xs).

I told my girl friend this years ago. Despite having 4 kids, and a 10+ year old carpet, you would not know she didn't have her carpet installed yesterday because it looks brand new. I, unfortunately, am not that disciplined.

Do not wear outdoor shoes in the house, no bare feet on carpets (wear slippers or socks) and no food or drink in carpeted areas.

Have a strict 'no shoes' policy in the home.

Try having everyone leave their shoes by the door.
It really cuts down on dirt that gets tracked in.

I've replaced some of our carpet with hard flooring. I vacuum the carpeting but shampooing is rare because it is such a burden to move the heavy furniture we have. Spot clean spills.

We're a no-shoes house so that helps keep dirt and other gross things from being tracked in past the front door. We have a large but inexpensive area rug there and a bench to sit on. I vacuum that rug regularly but never shampoo it. I replace it about once a year when it gets icky or damaged.

I like what a few posters have suggested (esp J.C.).

I will add:
-use large area rugs in rooms you spend a lot of time in like the family
and living rooms. You can even use hallway runners if desired.
-vacuum daily!
-take your shoes off when you come into the house. Never walk around
the house w/your shoes on. You track every gross thing you've picked
up out in the world (gas station bathrooms, parks, dog parks, grocery
store floors right onto your floors. Esp gross for getting them out of
carpets.).