You pride yourself on keeping a pleasant, clean home. Dirty, old carpets can make the house feel dingy, no matter how much time you spend shampooing and vacuuming. 

If you’re wondering if it is time to replace your old carpet, you’re in the right place. We did the research and got the facts on how to tell when your carpet needs replacing and what to do about it. 

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How Long Does Carpet Last Before It Needs To Be Replaced?

How often should you replace your carpet? The answer depends on what kind of home you have. The general rule of thumb is that carpet should be replaced every 4-25 years. That is a large range because how often you need to replace your carpet depends on how your carpet is maintained, what kind of home you have, and the carpet material.

The lifespan of your carpeting can be affected by many things, such as:

  • Pets: Have you ever stepped into someone’s carpeted home and immediately smelled that they have pets? Old carpets may be to blame. We love our furry friends, but they are hard on carpet. Even if your pets don’t have accidents, they drag in dirt, shed hair, and drop dander which can make carpet odorous. 
  • Kids: Little kids are adorable and messy! Your bundle of joy may be hard on your carpet, especially as they grow up and get into mischief. If you have young children, you may find that your carpet ages faster. 
  • Foot traffic: Carpeted areas in your home with high foot traffic tend to need to be replaced more often than low-traffic areas. 
  • Carpet care: Regular carpet care can help keep your carpet looking its best for its whole lifetime. Carpet care includes vacuuming weekly as well as regular professional deep cleaning. Carpets that are not well cared for may need to be replaced more often.
  • Carpet material and quality: When it comes to flooring, the quality of materials matters. Nylon carpet is considered the longest-lasting, but that doesn’t mean it is the best choice for your home. Other options include polyester, acrylic, and wool carpets. 

Not sure if your carpet needs to be replaced? All the options got you feeling overwhelmed? Reach out to Interior Motives Flooring for premiere carpet installation in Auburn, WA. We can help you find the perfect carpet and give your home personalized treatment at big box store prices. 

when does carpet need to be replaced

How Do You Know When It’s Time To Replace Your Carpet?

The best time to replace your carpet is when it starts to show its age. Old, stained, and smelly carpet makes your home look dirty. 

You can generally tell you need new carpet when you start to notice stains and odors as well as general wear and tear. You want to move quickly if you notice strong smells or mold, which could be the start of a dangerous mold infestation in your home. 

7 Signs It’s Time To Replace Your Carpet

when is it time to replace carpet

#1: Age

Old carpet is more than just unsightly! Most manufacturers recommend replacing carpet after 10 years, no matter how well cared for. Carpets see a lot of feet, spills, dirty paws, and sticky fingers over the years. Not to mention the dust mites, allergens, and possible mold or mildew that can form. This is unsanitary and can lead to health problems in homes with people who are sensitive to allergens. 

Bottom line — if your carpet is over a decade old, it may be time to replace it. 

#2: Stains

Most carpets come with a finish that resists staining. That finish breaks down over time, leaving you with a carpet that holds onto stains. 

Not only are carpet stains unsightly, but certain biohazardous stains can soak underneath the carpet, where they cannot be removed by conventional methods. If your carpet is heavily stained, it may be best to just remove it. 

#3: Wear and Tear

Carpet wear and tear is a good sign that it is time to replace your carpet. Some signs of carpet wear and tear include:

  • Rips and tears
  • Carpet fibers losing form and becoming matted 
  • Threadbare carpeting
  • Other visible damage

Wear and tear is the natural result of a carpet that has overstayed its welcome. If your carpet is looking run down, it might be time to replace it. 

#4: Water Damage

Water damage, no matter how mild, requires carpet replacement. This is because water can get trapped underneath the carpet, allowing insidious mold to form. 

Carpet water damage and subsequent mold growth can cause a lot of dangerous respiratory illnesses, especially in children. Moldy carpets may contribute to the following:

  • Emphysema
  • Asthma
  • Tuberculosis
  • Possibly even cystic fibrosis

That’s just lung disorders. There is some evidence that moldy carpets can also contribute to other problems, like skin infections or neurological disorders. For the safety and health of you and your family, water-damaged carpet has got to go! 

#5: Odors

You notice it right away when you step into your home — a funky, dirty smell. It may smell like the pets you have, or it may smell like mold and mildew. If your carpet smells funky even after a professional cleaning, it is definitely time to replace your old carpet.

Funky smells are more than just unpleasant. They could indicate mold growth, which is hazardous to your health. Either way, who wants a stinky home? 

Worried about the cost? Don’t be — with Interior Motives Flooring you can get new carpet from a trusted family business. 

#6: Condition of Your Carpet Padding

The condition of your carpet padding is a good way to tell when your carpet needs to be replaced. Here is how to check the condition of your carpet padding without having to rip up your carpet:

  • Plushness: Does your carpet feel less plush? When you press on your carpet, does it spring back quickly or remain depressed? If your carpet is less plush than it used to be, it may be a sign the carpet padding needs to be replaced. 
  • Look of carpet: A worn down padding will affect the look of your carpet, causing wrinkles and unevenness. 
  • Sounds: Does your carpet crinkle when you walk, or are your family’s footsteps louder than they used to be? These are signs of a worn-down carpet pad. 

#7: Increased Allergy Symptoms

Are your allergies worse than ever? Some studies suggest that your old carpet may be to blame. Older carpets hold onto allergens and can even create new ones with mold and mildew growth. Give your sinuses a break, and consider updating your carpet! 

when to replace carpet

5 Tips for Extending the Life of Your Carpet

Now that you know when your carpet needs to be replaced, let’s talk about how to extend the life of the carpeting in your home. 

#1: Utilize Mats and Rugs

If you have a high-traffic area of your home or an area that is likely to get a lot of spills and dirt, consider a mat or rug. 

Not only do runner rugs add style to your home, but they can also lengthen the life of your carpet by taking the brunt of dirty shoes and muddy paws. Mats are very useful in the entrances of the home to prevent unsightly carpet staining.

#2: Clean Spills ASAP

To lengthen the life of your carpet, you must clean up any spills ASAP, including water. There are many products available for spot-cleaning, but different stains require different cleaning methods. Do your research before you begin cleaning to determine the best way to tackle the stain you have. 

However, there are two important factors when spot-cleaning your carpet:

  • Avoid moisture: Do not over-wet the stain. This can make the problem worse, as it drives moisture into the carpet, soaking the carpet pad which cannot easily be dried. 
  • Act quickly: Did you know that mold and mildew can form on wet carpet in as little as 24-48 hours? Once mold or mildew settles in, it can be very hard to get rid of. That’s why it is so important to the longevity of your carpet to soak up any spills quickly and try to keep the carpet as dry as possible. 

#3: Vacuum Frequently 

This is probably not a surprise, but regular vacuuming helps to lengthen the life of your carpet. How often you should vacuum depends on a few different variables, such as kids, pets, allergy sufferers in the home, and the time of year. 

For homes with kids and pets, it is recommended to vacuum the entire house once a week, with spot vacuuming in high-traffic areas every few days. Experts recommend vacuuming more often during the spring, summer, and fall to keep up with pets and kids that may be tracking dirt in the house from playing outside. Winter may see less traffic and therefore need less vacuuming. 

If anyone in your home suffers from allergies, you might want to consider vacuuming more often to prevent allergens from outdoors building in the carpet. 

#4: Periodically Deep Clean Your Carpets

A deep cleaning of your carpets can remove ground dirt and odors that regular vacuuming cannot reach. When deep cleaning your carpets, focus on high-traffic areas first (such as hallways and entryways) and then work on bedrooms and offices. 

#5: Apply Carpet Protectant

Just got a new carpet put in? Want to keep it looking nice for as long as possible? Consider applying carpet protectant. There are many options available, but most are fairly convenient and easy to apply without professional assistance. 

how to tell when carpet needs replacing

Say Farewell to Your Old Flooring With Interior Motive Flooring’s Expert Carpet Replacement Services

Are you tired of your dirty, smelly, stained carpet? Nervous about the cost of new carpeting for your Auburn, WA, home? 

Interior Motive Flooring takes all the fear out of getting new carpets. Our family-owned business has proudly served the Auburn, WA area for 31 years — offering small-town service at big box store prices. 

Curious about how our carpeting will look in your home? Interior Motives Flooring offers an online visualizer — allowing you to know exactly how different carpeting looks in your space. 

Check out our website to book a consultation, or make an appointment to check out our showroom!

when to replace carpet