Arlie Rachwal, Contributing Writer

Remember, once your new carpet is in place, it won't stay new forever.

Regular vacuuming and professional cleaning every 12 to 24 months will help maintain the original look of the carpet and improve performance.

When purchasing stain-proof carpet, you must realize that nothing is 100 percent stain-proof. It may be stain-resistant or may protect against common household food or beverage stains, but only if properly cleaned.

Many spills and stains don't fall into this category. Read your warranty carefully; they usually don't cover pet stains, natural dyes found in food, or substances that destroy or change the color of carpet -- such as bleach, drain cleaners, plant food, etc.

There are many factors involved that can be crucial to how well your new carpet fits into your home and how long it will last. That is why we have set up a few guidelines for you to follow in maintaining a clean, new looking carpet for years to come.

Vacuum Regularly

You can't vacuum too often.

Use a vacuum with a beater bar or rotating brush, which loosens the dirt for the vacuum to remove.

Vacuums with top-loading bags are preferred over bottom-loading bags. Change the disposable bag or empty the vacuum often.

Carpet with thick loop pile construction (Berber) may be sensitive to brushing, rubbing, or scraping of the pile surface, which may cause fuzzing and pile distortion. It is recommended that vacuums with suction action only be used on these styles.

Carpet sweepers and electric brooms are useful for picking up crumbs and surface soil, but it's important to know that they will not clean deep.

Clean Spots And Spills Immediately

• You'll have the best luck getting rid of pots and spills if you clean them immediately.
• Use a spoon or dull knife to remove solid materials.
• Blot up liquid spills with a white towel.
• Never rub, scrub or use a brush. This may cause damage to the carpet fibers.
• Use a cleaning agent and procedure appropriate for the type of stain being removed.
• Apply all cleaning agents to the cloth rather than directly to the stained area to avoid saturating the carpet when spot cleaning. Clean the fibers, not the backing.
• Do not rush. Deep stains might require repeat cleanings because they can "wick" back up again initial cleaning.
• Work from the outside to the center of large stains. This prevents spreading.

If you're selecting a carpet or upholstery care service, Sears recommends taking these steps:

1. Consider the company's reputation. Make sure its technicians are trained and experienced.
2. Ask for references from previous customers and call them.
3. Make sure your satisfaction is guaranteed with a money-back offer.