Proper regular vacuuming addresses two issues:

1. Removes fine dust from carpet so it does not get stirred up by walking on it. Most people produce an invisible cloud of dust when they walk on carpet.

2. An effective vacuum optimizes “particles in” versus “particles out”. HEPA filters can help, but it’s more important that the overall system be well-designed and maintained. Filter care is vital because a dirty vacuum filter restricts airflow and suction, reducing “particles in” and increasing “particles out” as a vacuum just stirs up a cloud of dust when suction is restricted.

There are two main types of carpet: loop-pile commercial, consisting of a tight loops, and cut-pile (most often used in homes, consisting of cut strands; though some carpet consists of both).

Carpet is porous with millions of tiny surfaces (if you’re curious, patient and have a magnifying glass, multiply the number of strands per square foot and the number of fibers within each strand).

Don’t trust your eyes when it comes to cleanliness as carpet hides soil: Grit and sand accumulate below the surface where sharp particles can scratch and cut the fibers. Vacuum traffic areas daily or regularly, depending on traffic. Vacuum less-trafficked areas weekly or monthly

Trafficked carpet that is not vacuumed regularly gets its fibers dulled by soils. Scratched carpet fiber may also hold more contamination.

When there’s a spill, blot it immediately using a white terrycloth or microfiber towel. Your goal is to soak up as much of the spill as possible without damaging the fiber. Remember the mantra, “blot don’t scrub,” as rubbing or scrubbing may tear or damage the fibers, making future cleaning harder.

Test first and use the least toxic cleaning solution first (e.g., water) to minimize residue and prevent indoor air quality issues. Again, blot don’t scrub.

The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) has a Seal of Approval (SOA) program that’s informative re: what to use when vacuuming and/or wet-extracting carpet. Interestingly, when the SOA program began, CRI found that some carpet cleaning chemicals cleaned no better than water.

CRI advises cleaning that maximizes soil removal, indoor air quality, and carpet appearance retention, with regular vacuuming as the 1st line of defense.