Q. Our kids (and dogs) can be hard on our carpet and it’s time for new flooring. We like carpet but would be willing to change to make maintenance easier. What types of carpets are easiest to keep clean or what other floorings would you suggest for us to use?

A. Kids & dogs can be very hard on carpets and tend to damage flooring in every way imaginable. However, while choosing a new carpet, you are going to want one that looks good in your home, but looks alone is not the deciding factor.

In your situation, a carpet that is easy to clean will make your life much easier. Here are some facts and suggestions about various types of carpets:

• Nylon: The easiest carpet to clean, by far, is nylon. This is the reason why nylon carpets are commonly used in high traffic areas. A good vacuuming and an occasional deep clean are more than enough to keep it updated. Although nylon is not very great with taking moisture, it is still a good material for fighting stains.
• Olefin or Polyester: In areas like bathrooms where nylon carpet won’t survive, you might want to go with a material like olefin or polyester. Both of these materials have a good resistance to water, but they are not that easy to clean. This type of carpet has the tendency to attract dust on the surface; therefore you might have to consider a second cleaning at times.
• Loop pile: Loop pile is another big thing that will affect the maintenance of your carpet. It determines how luxurious a carpet is. Almost every carpet is made with loops and in few cases these loops are cut to make the cleaning of the carpet easier. The closed loop is luxurious but very hard to maintain. In your case, cut loop carpet is highly suggested.
• Hardwood Flooring: Although this is one of the most desired flooring in a house, it might not be the best choice for you. The stains in the hardwood can leave a terrible odor and a dark spot in the wood. Therefore it would be highly suggested to have the floor coated with high quality urethane, which could then become scratch and stain resistant.
• Laminate Flooring: The hardness offered by laminate flooring might provide the aesthetic you would want for your home, but it could be a difficult medium for kids and pets. Especially with pets, they are more likely to slip and slide as they walk. To avoid the slipperiness of laminate flooring, rugs are recommended throughout the home.
• Bamboo flooring: Bamboo flooring would be an excellent choice for you and anyone dealing with children and pets. It is one of the hardest hardwoods and won’t wear out easily. It has a stain-resistance, so you would not have to worry about spills or stains.

Take time to consider the above best flooring and carpet options to save you from frustrations and repairs in the long run.