All through the year we track various soils into our house. Pollutants from car exhaust, pollens, pet and human dander and plain old dirt can damage your carpet, tile, wood and upholstery, Soil control is a very important part of keeping your home clean and healthy.

The best way to control soil in your home is to prevent its entry. Whatever is outside tends to come in, so consider the following: 1) Keep walkways, steps and porches clear and free of dirt, mold, moss and algae 2) Place doormats both outside and inside all of the entrances to your home.

Outdoor mats should be water resisitent, synthetic and non absorbant fibers to scrape heavy soils off your feet. Avoid natural fibers which tend to mold and rot creating a new source of soil. Inside door mats should be absorbant like nylon, cotton or wool. The mat should be washed periodically to remove soil build up.

Remove shoes when you come indoors but don’t walk barefoot all the time. The sheen of our feet contain oils that attach to carpet and attract soil.

Vacuuming is the most effective way to maintain your carpets. Over 75% of soil in carpet is dry soil that can be removed by vacuuming. This also applies to upholstered furniture, blinds and drapery.

Annual professional cleaning is recommended in most homes. Homes with children and pets typically require cleaning twice a year or more. Don’t wait until your carpets, rugs and upholstery look dirty to have them clean