Soils found on carpet can be classified as spots and stains; surface litter (paper, pet hair, lint, etc.); gritty unattached particles; and that which adheres to the fibers.

Surface litter can be picked up with a vacuum. Although unsightly, this material does not harm the carpet.

Most gritty, unattached soil is tracked in on the feet. The longer it remains, the more damage it causes to the carpet.
Gritty soil scratches and produces pits on fibers, dulling them and making them appear more soiled than they are.
Grit also produces a cutting action that removes fibers and shortens the life of the carpet. Remove this soil by daily vacuuming of the traffic areas and overall vacuuming at least once a week.

Soil that gives a carpet a dirty appearance is composed of sticky oil and greases containing tiny pieces of soil materials. The longer oily soil remains on the carpet, the harder they are to remove.

Some oily soils change chemically and produce a yellowish film on the fiber that is impossible to remove. Other oils actually dissolve into some synthetic fibers, becoming part of the fibers themselves. These cannot be removed without damage to the fibers.

For proper carpet maintenance, remove soil spots immediately, vacuum traffic areas daily, vacuum thoroughly once a week and have a professional cleaning when traffic areas begin to show soil.