Keep Your Carpet Clean for Less -- Savings Experiment

The key to increasing the lifespan of your carpet is simple: clean it less often! Although this may seem counterintuitive, it will help you save in the long run.

Steam cleaning your carpet more than once per year can stretch and wrinkle the fibers. This is caused by excess water buildup. Instead, tackle spots with a homemade solution that's easy on your budget.

Mix equal parts of ammonia and hot water and pour into a spray bottle. Generously apply the solution to the stain and let it soak for a minute. Then, place a paper towel over the spot and apply a hot iron to lift up any remaining discoloration.

This DIY solution will save you a bundle on steam cleaning and industrial carpet-cleaning products. The ammonia is also a great deodorizer that can help neutralize any unpleasant smells from pet accidents.

In addition to spot cleaning, break out the vacuum more often. Consider vacuuming heavy traffic areas twice a week and the entire carpeted area once per week. This will help dirt and debris from settling.

So, to extend the life of your carpet, keep these easy tips in mind. With a simple homemade stain-removal solution and a little extra vacuuming, you'll be saving on cleaning costs in no time.