Why is cleaning carpets still important in 2025?

Anyone who has stood barefoot on a deep pile luxury carpet knows how luxurious the feeling is. However, if you don't get around to cleaning it after much use, this feeling will disappear quickly. In this blog, we’re investigating why cleaning your carpet should still be a major priority of yours.

The main problem with a dirty carpet is the health hazard, not from the carpet itself, but what gathers in it, including dust mites, mould spores, dust and debris. Most of the things floating in the air eventually land on the carpet. This is a danger to health and is especially harmful to people who suffer from allergies.

Apart from being a health hazard, a carpet that is never cleaned looks bad. When walking on a dirty carpet, fibres twist together to make the carpet seem worn out.

Some manufacturers' warranties for carpets are invalid if the carpet is not deep cleaned at least annually. Homes with children and pets should consider a wet clean every six months.

Regular vacuuming will remove most dirt and debris, but a deep clean will remove trapped dirt. This should be done at least once a year by a professional carpet cleaning service or with a carpet cleaning machine and a specialist cleaning solution. You can hire a cleaning machine if you don't want the expense of buying one.

After a deep clean make sure the carpet is frequently vacuumed and consider a no-shoes rule to prevent dirt from outside contaminating the carpet.

If the carpet is very worn beyond the ability of a deep clean to restore it, this is probably the time for new carpets for your home. A carpet retailer near Chester would be able to help you secure such an item for your home.

The pros and cons of fitting LVT

LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile) is a flooring option considered by homeowners around the world. There are several pros and cons to consider for those thinking about installing LVT, and we’re exploring these in this blog

Advantages of using LVT

Waterproof

LVT is waterproof, making it ideal for bathrooms and utility rooms whose floors are regularly wet. However, many types of LVT are smooth, and this could be a trip hazard in a wet room unless the vinyl is treated with an anti-slip coating.

The flooring is made with several layers, with a durable top layer that is waterproof. The backing layer protects the underside of the tiles from moisture,

LVT needs to be installed correctly, ideally by a professional fitter. If there are gaps between tiles, this could allow moisture to penetrate to the subfloor.

Affordable

The cost of LVT varies depending on the quality, but it is generally less than hardwood or engineered wood flooring. Sheet vinyl flooring and some carpets are cheaper than LVT. Fitting costs are reasonable as LVT is easy to fit.

When considering the affordability of LVT, you should to take into account how long flooring lasts before it needs replacing, not just the initial installation costs. Good-quality LVT flooring should last around 20 years compared to a good carpet's lifespan of around 10 years. Luxury vinyl is also less durable than LVT. This means that LVT flooring needs replacing less frequently compared to many other types of floor covering, saving money in the long term.

LVT is also cost effective for commercial spaces. It costs less to maintain as it is easily cleaned.

Warm

LVT feels warm compared to other hard surface flooring. Thick LVT feels softer and warmer underfoot as there is more distance from the top layer of the tile to the subfloor. LVT responds to the room temperature; the warmer the room, the warmer the floor feels.

When LVT is installed over concrete flooring or existing tiles, it will feel cooler than LVT laid over wood floors.

LVT is excellent for underfloor heating as it is efficient at transferring heat to the floor surface. Unlike wood, LVT does not expand or contract as the temperature changes.

Low maintenance

LVT only requires regular sweeping and a weekly mop to keep clean, but avoid abrasive cleaning solutions. LVT is a good choice for commercial flooring as cleaning staff spend less time on floor maintenance.

Easy to install

Provided the subfloor is clean and smooth, LVT is easy to install. The main tools required are a measuring tape and a knife. LVT is easily cut, but care is needed to fit tiles around irregular shapes such as bathroom furniture like sinks and WCs.

There are two main types of LVT, click or peel and stick. Click LVT has tongue and groove edges that slot together. Peel and stick tiles have a protective cover which is peeled off to uncover an adhesive surface that sticks to the subfloor.

Anyone who is confident in their do-it-yourself skills can lay vinyl tiles, otherwise, a professional installer's charges should be reasonable.

Limitations of LVT

However, not every attribute of LVT flooring is necessarily a positive one. Consider the below points for a balanced view on this flooring type.

Requires a smooth surface

The condition of the subfloor is important for installing LVT. It must be structurally sound and very smooth. Bumps and dips can cause LVT to be uneven, and this increases wear and shortens the life of the LVT floor.

If the subfloor is uneven, it needs levelling before laying LVT. Concrete subfloors require compounds that create a smooth surface. Wood floors may need sanding. Making the floor smooth and clean is a skilled job that should be done by an experienced floor installer.

The cost of levelling the subfloor can add to installation costs.

Difficult to remove

If the existing LVT has been glued down it makes it difficult to remove. LVT that is not glued usually has a click lock system that is easier to remove but requires some skill to take out.

Equipment is required, a heat gun or adhesive remover if the tiles are glued, otherwise a crowbar and chisel. After removing the tiles, the subfloor requires thorough cleaning.

Softness

Vinyl is a soft material. Heavy furniture can mark and dent LVT. Floor protectors attached to furniture legs prevent this damage.

Like all floor coverings, there are pros and cons for choosing LVT, but there are more reasons to install LVT than not than not. LVT is ideal for both home and commercial use for anyone wanting an attractive, affordable, durable and easy to maintain floor.

For further advice and information about LVT, talk with a local flooring company in Chester, Wrexham or North Wales.

What are carpet tiles?

Carpet tiles are square sections of carpet that are convenient to install and replace and come in a variety of colours and patterns They are a durable flooring solution suitable for both commercial and residential spaces.

Can I install carpet tiles myself?

Yes, you can install carpet tiles yourself as they are designed to be easily installed by most people without professional assistance. However, installing carpet tiles can be a long job for large areas, especially if the old floor covering is stuck down and difficult to remove. If the subfloor is uneven, this may need to be levelled before laying carpet tiles. For edges of the room that are not straight, the tiles will need careful cutting to fit around uneven edges

If you are not confident in your do-it-yourself (DIY) skills, then it's worth using a professional carpet installer. Using a fitter employed by the carpet retailer in Chester where you bought the carpet tiles should not be very expensive.

How long do carpet tiles last?

Carpet tiles are durable, and decent quality ones can last between ten and twenty years. However, several factors affect the lifespan of the tiles. Thin cheap carpet tiles will not last as long as thicker, better-quality tiles. Carpet tiles wear quicker if they are not maintained well with regular vacuuming and the occasional deep clean.

Carpet tiles can look worn in high-foot-traffic areas. A major advantage of carpet tiles is that you can easily replace the tiles in areas where people regularly walk without having to replace the whole floor covering.

Are carpet tiles waterproof?

Carpet tiles are generally not waterproof, as they are made from fabric fibres that can absorb moisture. Some types of carpet tiles have some water resistance but are still not suitable for wet areas such as bathrooms. If water is spilt on carpet tiles, it can be mopped up promptly. Wine and other liquids can stain carpet tiles unless you install tiles treated with a stain resistant barrier.

For rooms with doorways to the outside, place mats that absorb moisture from footwear and dripping clothes.

Moisture can come from underneath the tiles, which can be prevented by using tiles with a built-in water barrier or a water-resistant underlay.

Environmental consultants manage vinyl floor recycling project

Flooring manufacturers Polyflor and Altro have appointed Resource Futures to manage Recofloor, a national waste vinyl flooring recycling scheme.

Recofloor was launched in 2009 and has collected just under 63,000 rolls of vinyl flooring since then. Flooring companies have the sustainability challenge of dealing with waste, to avoid burning old floor coverings or dumping them into landfill sites. Recofloor is a solution to this challenge and has been recognised as a leading flooring recycling scheme, receiving many awards in 2024 including the Circular Economy Award and the Better Society Award. Its most recent award was the Green Apple National Gold Award for waste management in building and construction.

Polyflor and Altro are committed to environmental goals. The Director of Polyflor, Paul Smallman, said:

"Both partners are committed to continuing the great work of the Recofloor scheme and supporting the industry cost-effective and environmentally-sound decisions in vinyl flooring disposal."

The Recofloor scheme collects used and waste vinyl flooring from flooring contractors. Small volumes of waste are dropped off at various flooring distributors in many UK locations. Part rolls of vinyl flooring, luxury vinyl tiles and offcuts are collected and recycled to make new products, including new vinyl flooring.

For domestic or commercial flooring in Wrexham and the surrounding area, Polyflor is an excellent choice for those who want sustainable flooring. The manufacturer is known for its wide range of luxury vinyl with realistic surface textures that capture the look and feel of wood, stone or abstract materials.

Should you avoid these carpet colours in 2025?

Interior designers Emily Vaughan and Jill Greaves have named five carpet colours to avoid and have suggested alternatives.

1. Bold colours

Bright-hued carpets are a fun way to liven up a room, but designer Jill Greaves suggests better ways to make a space look bright. Hang brightly coloured wall art or fit earth-tone carpets with amber, russet, reddish brown, and gold tones.

2. Cool Greys

According to Jill Greaves, cool grey walls and carpets are no longer trendy. For those who like a grey style, go for warmer greys combined with neutral colours.

3. All white

White rooms with white carpets are considered outdated and can be replaced by natural warm shades. If a white carpet is not ready to be replaced, add seagrass rugs to add warmth.

4. Beige

Designer Emily Vaughan says that beige carpets are outdated. For those who still like beige, she suggests choosing one with subtle patterns that can include beige elements.

5. Black

Black carpets make a bold impact and were a 2010s design trend, but deep brown or charcoal carpets are alternatives that offer the same moody feel as black but with a more modern look. Another idea is to combine black with navy blue in a dramatic patterned floor covering.

Interior designers make suggestions, but the decision about carpet colours is best made by the people who live in the carpeted home. Visit a local carpet retailer in North Wales to see a wide selection of carpet colours and patterns.