Can Carpet Last 20 Years? (Tips To Preserve Your Carpet)
Without a doubt, carpet is one of the best types of flooring on the market. It looks absolutely stunning while offering a great deal of comfort for any home or business. Unfortunately, as we all know, most carpets have an average lifespan before they need to be replaced. Typically, the average carpet can last for 10 to 15 years. Be that as it may, can carpet last 20 years?
Yes, a carpet can last 20 years provided that you invest in professional carpet cleaning services at least once or twice per year, daily vacuuming, and bi-yearly shampooing to remove odors and stains.
It may be true that carpet is not as resilient and durable as wooden flooring or tiles, it can however last for decades with appropriate care.
There are a number of factors that determine the likelihood that a carpet can last 20 years.
- What type of material is used in the carpet?
- Do you place any furniture on top of it?
- Is it in a room with high traffic?
- How often do you clean it and do you own a vacuum?
- Can you afford yearly deep cleaning by a professional carpet cleaning service?
If you can choose a good location for carpets and implement some strategies to keep your carpets free or stains and liquid, I’m pretty sure it’s possible that you can extend it’s lifespan to 20 years.
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Types Of Material Used In Carpets That Are Durable
Speaking from personal experience, the type of material used in your carpet can heavily influence its lifespan.
For example, Polyester carpets are incredibly cost-effective but they are easily susceptible to damage, fraying and discoloration due to the fragility of the material used.
Also, the manner in which the carpet is woven together can also influence its durability and strength.
Here’s a list of the best materials for a carpet:
- Nylon.
- Frieze.
- Short pile.
- Wool.
I know that my decision to include wool in this list is debatable, but it’s actually quite durable and resistant to damage despite its soft texture and lofty price tag.
It may flatten with a lot of foot traffic but for the most part, it maintains its color and texture for a long time.
Be that as it may, nylon is one of the most popular choices for carpeting in homes and businesses.
It’s both durable and affordable, making it an incredible competitor for the most durable type of carpet.
Regular Cleaning Can Prolong The Lifespan Of A Carpet
From my understanding of carpets and utilizing the services of professional carpet cleaners, water and liquid damage to a carpet that is less than 5 years old can possibly be restored to its previous pristine condition.
In its early years, they remained more resistant.
However, with time, wear and tear, and exposure to different elements, the fibers in a carpet are bound to fray and lose their resilience.
So, the same amount of water or liquid damage on an older carpet can cause more permanent damage than on a newer carpet.
What this means is that what can be removed by a professional carpet cleaner will be influenced by the age of your carpet.
This is why it’s important to regularly clean your carpet and remove any forms of stains or damage that appear.
It is advisable to vacuum all carpets a minimum of three times per week. In a home with kids or pets, most professionals advise running a vacuum over carpets every single day.
This should remove all dirt and grime that isn’t sticky or wet.
For surface-level dirt or stains, a pressure steamer is a great way to remove them from a carpet.
Shampooing every year or bi-yearly is another excellent way to restore the texture, odor, and color of a carpet while killing all germs, bacteria, and fungi that may have started to multiply.
When all else fails, opt for a professional carpet cleaning service to restore your carpet to its former glory.
I’m of the opinion that prevention is better than cure.
So, investing in carpet cleaning once a year can probably add a few years to the lifespan of a carpet.
When Should You Replace A Carpet?
There are three signs that indicate a carpet has reached the end of its lifespan and needs to be replaced.
- After cleaning, it still appears discolored, frayed, and damaged.
- It has a persistent odor in spite of shampooing and cleaning.
- It has been permanently stained or matted beyond restoration.
At a certain point, even a professional carpet cleaning service will not be able to remove certain stains and damage from your carpet.
It only makes sense to consider replacing it instead of wasting more money on trying to restore something that is permanently damaged.
Another common problem with carpets that is difficult to fix is matting. After years of exposure to traffic and weight, carpets flatten and lose their soft embrace.
No amount of cleaning or shampooing can prevent this from progressing or happening.
You would have to replace your carpet at that point if the texture and softness are important factors for you.
Final Thoughts
From my experience of owning carpets in my own home and from the carpets I’ve seen handed down from my grandparents to my parents, the lifespan depends significantly on maintenance.
Believe me when I tell you that even a cheap carpet can last for decades if you place it in an appropriate area and invest some time, money, and effort into preserving its texture and appearance.
Money aside, for sentimental reasons, I’m sure that you want to hold onto a carpet for as long as you possibly can.
Vacuuming, shampooing, and dusting are simple and effective cleaning techniques that can extend the lifespan of any carpet.
With that being said, I hope this article has provided you with enough value and information on whether a carpet can last 20 years. If so, I’m sure that you would find the following articles just as helpful and informative:
1. What causes the carpet edges to fray?
