After selecting the type of carpeting and the color, it's time to pull out the vacuum. Every day, if possible. That's the advice of industry experts when asked the best way to maintain carpeting.

"Very few people understand how to maintain it," said Jeff Johnson, the Midwest regional director of Calhoun, GA-based Mohawk Industries' Portico line of products. "You go out and purchase maintenance-free siding and self-cleaning ovens and then expect your flooring to do the same. Carpeting is actually a high maintenance item."

Every Day?

While a daily vacuuming regiment may seem excessive, the key is to get rid of dirt regularly. Frequent vacuuming is especially important for consumers who are tracking in construction dust and dirt from other areas of the house.

How Long Will it Last?

Carpeting typically lasts for 10 years or more depending upon how many feet walk across it and whether your 20-pound cat uses it for a scratching post. On stairways and halls and heavy traffic areas, the lifespan will be shorter.

Most carpets include 5 to 10 year warranties and some form of stain resistant covering. There are exclusions to the warranties, however. You may void the warranty by attempting to remove a stain with a household chemical, for example.

Johnson recommends letting professionals tackle spot removal. "The only reason those do-it-yourself cleaners are available is for convenience. Unless you know how to clean carpeting, you could be destroying the carpet and possibly voiding the warranty."

After all that vacuuming, why take the chance?