How long does carpet last?
“Replace Every 7”.
According to experts in the flooring world – a bit like a mattress – carpets should, ideally, be replaced every 7 years. But in the real world? It’s a little more complicated than that.
Carpets can last anywhere between 5 and 15 years depending on a number of different factors, such as the type and quality of the carpet, the fibres it’s made from, how much foot traffic it endures and (perhaps most importantly), how well it’s been installed and maintained.
But one thing’s for certain – replacing a carpet can be a very expensive endeavour.
On average, re-carpeting just one room will set you back around £1,100. Which is why, to ensure you get plenty of bang for your buck, it’s important to take a few simple steps – to limit wear and tear, maximise the overall lifespan of your carpet and ensure it lasts as long as possible.
Carpet underlay – the easiest way to extend your carpet’s longevity
When you’ve just spent a small fortune on a new carpet, settling for a cheaper carpet underlay – or not buying it at all – can be very tempting. Hidden away below the surface, it’s an ‘extra’ that many people overlook. But it’s actually one of the best (and easiest!) ways to maximise longevity.
Not only does underlay improve the look and feel of your carpet, it acts as a fantastic shock absorber.
The extra cushioning successfully supports and protects the carpet, softening the blow of each footfall (or any other type of impact) and extending its lifespan by up to 50% or more.
For this reason (and many others) – here at Carpet Underlay Shop – we believe choosing the right carpet underlay is often far more important than picking out the carpet itself. And our current recommendation is Plushwalk 12mm.
Made from a super-luxury memory foam, with an impressive density of 105kg per m3, this industry-leading underlay excels in terms of performance.
It provides long-term durability and support for your new carpet – significantly extending its lifespan – whilst also delivering excellent levels of underfoot comfort. And it’s available in our store for the fantastic price of just £6.99 per m2.
Money well spent, which is bound to save you money in the long run.
Additional ways to prolong the lifespan of your carpet
Of course, how long your carpet will last is directly impacted by how well you look after it. So here we share a few extra carpet care tips to set you on the right track.
1. Vacuum regularly
An obvious one, but still worth noting.
Vacuuming is the single most effective way to keep your carpet clean and maximise its lifespan. Just run the hoover over once a week to remove any dust and dirt (or more often, if you have time). And if the carpet is new, don’t worry if you spot any ‘fluffing’ or loose fibres. This is completely normal.
2. Add layers
Prevention is always better than cure.
In high-traffic parts of the home – such as entryways and passageways – protect your carpet with a few extra layers. Entrance matting can make a huge difference, helping to wipe loose dirt and debris from your shoes. Whilst rugs and runners can help to reduce wear and tear in busy areas.
3. Shake things up
Where possible, try to rearrange your furniture on a regular basis.
Not only will this reduce pile crushing caused by the legs of tables, chairs etc, but it can also help to change the pattern or direction of foot traffic. If you’re not always walking over the same area, wear and tear will be distributed evenly – helping to prolong the carpet’s lifespan as much as possible.
4. Be speedy with spot cleans
If you spill or drop something on your carpet, don’t give it a chance to settle in. Moving fast and cleaning it up as soon as possible will give you the best chance of preventing stains.
Having said that, be cautious with any stain treatments or spot cleaners. If used incorrectly, these can actually cause bigger problems – such as discolouration and deterioration of the carpet fibres. So it’s always worth checking the instructions and ingredients of your product before you begin.
5. Deep clean periodically
Sometimes, it takes something a little more powerful than Henry Hoover.
To keep your carpet in optimum condition – and ensure it lasts – a deep clean is recommended at least once or twice a year. Or if you have children or pets in the house, once every 3-4 months.
You can either do this yourself with a soapy water solution or carpet shampoo. Or, you can hire a professional to perform the hot water extraction carpet cleaning method (i.e. steam cleaning).
Ensure your carpet grows old with underlay
Yes, the guidelines may say that a carpet should be updated approximately every 7 years. But here at Carpet Underlay Shop, we truly believe that with the right carpet underlay – and a little TLC – good quality carpets have the potential to last 15 years or more. Saving you the hassle and (more importantly!) the expense of frequent replacements.
To find out more about how underlay can extend a carpet’s lifespan, or if you have a question about Plushwalk 12mm, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our in-house specialists are always happy to help, and will gladly talk you through the options available – and how they could make a difference to the look, feel and performance of your flooring.
Simply give us a call on 0203 887 0994. Or if you prefer, send an email to sales@carpet-underlay-shop.co.uk and a member of the team will respond as soon as possible.
- Alex Illidge
