Carpet cleaning

A clean floorcovering will live longer, because surface dirt that is not removed is ground into the pile. There it acts like sand paper on the wool fibers, cutting and wearing them until they break off.

Rugs should be turned end to end about every six months, so that the greatest wear and shading isn't always in the same places. If your rug is large and your furniture heavy, this is no small chore.

Make it part of the semiannual house cleaning, and while the rug is rolled up be sure to vacuum the lining and spray it to discourage any fleas or moths that might be lurking about.

Of course, a wall-to-wall carpet, or a rug cut to fit an irregular room, can't very well be turned about without some making over.