Turn rugs to even out their wear. In rooms with fitted carpet move the furniture around instead.

Always fit a good underlay below carpet as it evens out the wear, fills in uneven floors and makes your carpet last longer.

Use entrance mats at both front and back doors to prevent mud and dirt being brought into the house on shoes and boots.

Before vacuuming, pick up small objects and debris.

Move all furniture and vacuum entire carpet about once a month.

Eventually carpets may need to be shampooed with a multi-purpose machine or shampoo/polisher designed for the job – heavy traffic areas may need to be done twice a year.

Vacuum a new carpet from day one. It will shed a certain percentage of loose fibres from manufacture and regular vacuuming is the best way to remove it. Do remember to check the dust bag after each session.

Pet hairs are particularly difficult to remove as they contain natural oil. An upright cleaner is best for shifting them but also vacuum your pet’s favourite spots regularly to prevent the hair becoming embedded in the carpet pile.

Use an upholstery nozzle, brush attachment or hand-held cleaner to clean stairs.

Heavy traffic areas should be vacuumed daily, light traffic areas perhaps only once a week.

Seven strokes for heavy traffic, three-four for light-traffic areas.

To minimise the indentations left by heavy furniture, use the edge of a coin to rub the pile.

Protect your floor when moving heavy items by using a set of slide-under castors, or on smooth floors, slip an off-cut of carpet pile side down under the item to be moved.

When polishing a floor, always apply the polish sparingly – a thick application attracts dust and is difficult to buff to a shine.

Apply only one coat of polish to the entire floor, then apply subsequent coats on high-traffic areas only.

Encourage your family to wear slippers about the house as high grip soles and metal-tipped high heel shoes may twist and pull the pile.

For easy-cleaning, choose a carpet with a built-in proprietary stain protector.

When washing hard flooring, especially tiles, avoid over wetting the floor, as water may seep between the tiles and cause them to lift.

Never vacuum the fringes of valuable or delicate rugs as they may get caught in the cleaner. Use a hand-brush instead.

Empty the container (if bagless) or change the dustbag as soon as necessary to keep the vacuum cleaner working at its best.

Check the agitator for snagged hairs or threads which may restrict or reduce the roller action.

Steam cleaners are great for getting out stains and spills – from atomising candle wax and chocolate on carpets, to blasting away grease and sticky items like chewing gum.

Wait until it is hard, then scrape off as much as possible. Cover the remains with kitchen paper and press with the tip of a warm iron. The wax will melt and be absorbed by the paper.

Important: Follow carpet manufacturer's guidance

Place a bag of ice cubes on top to freeze it, then break off as much as you can. Clean off the remainder with a little white or methylated spirit on a cloth.

Important: Follow carpet manufacturer's guidance

Scrape off any solid chocolate pieces, then treat with a spot carpet shampoo, if a greasy mark remains treat carefully with a grease solvent.

Important: Follow carpet manufacturer's guidance

Rub with a cloth of moistened with methylated spirit for ball-point and felt tip pens; cold water to shift fountain pen ink.

Important: Follow carpet manufacturer's guidance

Carefully scrape off any excess with a knife, then treat with a carpet shampoo; if any colour remains use a little methylated spirits on cotton wool.

Important: Follow carpet manufacturer's guidance

Sponge with warm soapy water, rinse then treat with a grease solvent.

Important: Follow carpet manufacturer's guidance

Trim lightly with a pair of scissors.

Important: Follow carpet manufacturer's guidance

Scrape off as much as you can, treat with dry-cleaning solvent, then methylated spirit. You may also need to finish off with carpet shampoo.

Important: Follow carpet manufacturer's guidance

Blot fresh spills then use a carpet shampoo. Don’t sprinkle with salt as it may change the colour of the carpet. On old stains try rubbing in a mixture of equal parts glycerine and water. Leave for an hour, then rinse off.

Important: Follow carpet manufacturer's guidance