Finding an elegant carpet that fits your house’s interior isn’t easy. So, it’s always a bummer when you have to replace it.

Sadly, carpets don’t last forever and often must be replaced after ten or 15 years. Your carpet should last at least 10 years, of course, provided that you use a carpet steam cleaning service at least once a year. Some rugs also live for a shorter time, showing signs indicating that their time in the house is over.

But what are the signs to replace your carpet, and how often should carpets be replaced? Read on to find out!

7 Signs You Should Replace Your Carpet

There are a few signs that’ll indicate whether you should change your carpet. Here’s a detailed list of them.

  • Stubborn Stains

All carpets are susceptible to stubborn stains, especially if kids or pets run around. While most stains are easy to clean, some never get out, even if professional cleaners tend to them.

Now, we all know the trick where you rearrange your furniture to hide a specific spot on your carpet. But, over time, this trick might not cut it anymore.

This is because many carpets are treated with stain-resistant finishes before they get sold. So as long as the finish is intact, your carpet won’t stain. But as time passes, the treatment disappears, and stains stay.

To cut it short, if your carpet has too many stains that won’t go away, you should replace it. Spending money on expensive detergents will rarely work, especially if you’ve tried efficient cleaning methods.

Learn more: Remove Ink from Carpet

  • Visible Damage

Carpets like high heels and pet nails are exposed to plenty of wear all day. Over time, these might cause irreversible damage, like visible tears in the fabric.

While minor tears can be fixed by a professional or concealed by a new furniture piece, large tears are often too visible to hide or fix.

If you notice a similar occurrence in your carpet, it might be time to replace it before the floor beneath it is damaged.

  • Padding and Matting

Most carpets have protective padding. Paddings are often manufactured from rubber or fibre, making rugs more comfortable and helping decrease stomping noise.

When carpet padding is too old, it’ll feel uneven beneath your feet, and the carpet will look a bit wrinkled. If one of these signs shows, you know replacing the carpet is time.

As for matting, it happens when the tufts of your carpet flatten over its surface, causing a matted look. This most commonly occurs in high-traffic rooms, like the living room.

After a while, matted carpets become uncomfortable and feel rough beneath your feet, indicating it’s time for a new one.

Read more about Homemade Carpet Fresheners

  • Foul Odour

Carpets get stains over time; some aren’t as efficiently cleaned as others. Such stains leave stubborn particles that embed into the carpet padding or fibres, leading to foul odours.

If you notice a weird smell in your room, you can try sending the carpet for a thorough professional cleaning. But most of the time, the scent will persist, and you’ll need to replace your carpet.

  • Presence of Mould

Stains that you didn’t properly clean and spills that weren’t left to dry might cause mould afterwards. Mould often causes discolouration that might show on the carpet’s surface or under it.

In addition to the unsightly presence, it also causes foul smells and increases the risk of respiratory diseases for kids.

The first solution to fix a mould-affected carpet would be to send it to a professional cleaning service. If they tell you that the damage is irreversible, you should consider buying a new carpet.

Read more: How to Dry Carpet

  • Increased Allergies

Carpets are a favourite hideout place for pollen, dust, pet hair, and all allergens. The buildup of such particles can cause your allergies to act up without you noticing. The same goes for asthma patients, as dust might stimulate an attack.

Allergy symptoms like coughing and sneezing out of nowhere mean you should check your carpet. If it looks old and dusty, it’ll be better if you replace it. If you think there’s hope, send it to a professional cleaner and see what goes.

Or, you can try steam cleaning it for a change.

  • Old Enough Carpet

You don’t need to wait for signs to replace your carpet. If you bought it more than 15 years ago, it’s time to go, especially if it’s synthetic. On the other hand, if it’s made of natural fibre, like wool, you can extend this period to 20 years.

Learn more about Cleaning Fridge

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Most Durable Synthetic Carpets Out There?

Nylon carpets might be the most durable because of how long they can keep their neat appearance. Nylon is a very versatile and sturdy fibre and doesn’t show signs of wear quickly. As a bonus point, it’s also budget-friendly. So if you want your carpet to last, you can buy a nylon one.

Are Wool Carpets Any Good?

Wool carpets are an excellent choice if you want both durability and elegance. Their only downfall is their price tags. Natural wool carpets are famously among the most expensive on the market.

What Is the Best Carpet Material for High-Traffic Rooms?

Synthetic carpets are best suited for high-traffic rooms because they don’t cost as much as natural ones and are more durable. While they won’t look as elegant, they’ll stay intact for long beneath all the stomping and high heels.

Conclusion

An elegant carpet completes the room and makes your house more aesthetically appealing. But unfortunately, carpets have a life expectancy, after which they need to get replaced.

The signs that show you need to replace your carpet sooner than later are stubborn stains, visible damage, foul odour, mould presence, and increased allergies. Even if these signs don’t appear, you should ideally replace a carpet after 15 years of serving you.

The period may differ from one carpet to the other, depending on the material and whether it’s in a high-traffic room.