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Carpet can show dirt and the wear and tear of high traffic more easily than most other types of flooring, so it is vital to maintain a regular cleaning schedule for your carpeted areas. Lees in Greensboro, N.C., a manufacturer of carpeting and a division of Burlington Industries, has the following recommendations for care of its carpeting:

Daily.

* Provide walk-off/wipe-off areas at all building entrances.

* Vacuum daily in high-traffic areas with a dual-motor upright vacuum that has a beater bar or double row of brushes with high suction. Make sure the high/low setting is appropriate for your floor. Vacuum with slow, deliberate strokes, and make a minimum of four passes across each area to effectively remove all dirt.

Regularly. Perform a hot-water extraction at least four times a year for high-traffic areas. Make sure the water temperature does not exceed 160 degress Fahrenheit, use manufacturer-recommended cleaning solutions and follow all directions on solution mixtures. Make three dry passes with the extraction equipment after the last wet pass. A pile lifter vacuum removes deeply embedded soil and is especially helpful prior to carpet cleaning.

Problem areas. React to all spills as quickly as possible, and check for stains during daily vacuuming. If the spill is dry, vacuum it first. Use a spoon to scape it if it is caked in. If it is wet, scrape up or use an extractor. Next, blot the spot with cold water by pressing downward (not in a circular motion) with a cotton towel or suction block, starting from the outer edges of the stain. Continue pressing down until the stain is removed. If water alone does not work, use a cleaning product recommended by the manufacturer, and follow with a water rinse. Blot carpet until area is as dry as possible, and leave a stack of towels with a heavy object on them on the wet area overnight.

The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI), a national trade association located in Dalton, Ga., that represents manufacturers and suppliers, states that, “Establishing and committing to a routine maintenance plan is a key factor in prolonging the life and appearance of your carpet and maintaining a healthy indoor environment.”

Its cleaning recommendations are similar to those of Lees, and it also recommends periodic dry extraction, dry foam and rotary shampoo cleaning methods.

CRI also warns to always pretest cleaning detergents on carpet before use. Some may bleach carpet fibers. Also, some carpets come with a stain protector. If not, topical stain treatments are available, and need to reapplied about every five years.