DIY & Home Improvement

take two baggies full of dirt from your yard with you. wet one down (make mud) and use these to check the color 'tone' of the samples. it will help the carpet look cleaner between vacuuming and won't show the dust and dirt as much. it makes a HUGE difference. you don't have to buy dirt colored rug, just make sure the colors don't clash when put next to each other. you'll see immediately what i'm talking about if you try it with some samples.

also, i swear by polypropylene rugs. they just don't stain. I have a room sized rug in my living room made of polypro i've had over 6 years with coffee spills, puppy accidents, mud, oil field tracks etc etc

i clean it and it looks like new. the color goes all the way through and it's a breeze to clean

http://www.carpetbuyershandbook.com/carpet-basics/construction-fibers/pile-fibers.php

also the tip about the best pad you can afford is true. it will take a mid grade carpet to a whole new level. well worth putting your cash in pad and scrimping a bit on the actual carpet.