Carpet for pets and children
Choose a solution dyed, bleach cleanable synthetic in a cut pile rather than a loop, in a mid tone that hides everyday mess. Keep hard flooring at the doors where muddy paws and boots arrive.
Avoid loops if you have cats or dogs
A claw can catch a loop and pull it, which leaves a run across the carpet. A cut pile has no loops to snag, so twist and saxony are the safer families here. This is the single most useful rule for pet owners.
Fibre and cleaning
Solution dyed synthetics let you clean properly, including with diluted bleach on the ranges made for it. That matters with accidents, felt tip pens, juice and everything else a family floor sees. Wool is lovely but far less forgiving here.
Plan the whole ground floor
Keep vinyl or LVT at the front and back doors and in the kitchen, so mud and water stop before they reach carpet. Then use a good stain resistant carpet from the inner threshold onwards. It is a far better system than trying to make one floor covering do everything.
Keep an offcut. A patch repair on a small area of damage is quick and cheap, and it saves recarpeting a room over one incident.
Common questions
- What colour hides pet hair best?
- A mid tone close to your pet's coat, or a flecked pattern. Plain dark and plain pale are the worst for showing hair.
- Is Berber a bad idea with a cat?
- Generally yes, because the loops can be pulled. Choose a cut pile instead.
- What about odours?
- Treat accidents at once and clean into the backing, not just the pile. A quality underlay also helps by keeping moisture from settling under the carpet.
- Can I see the flooring in person before deciding?
- Yes. Both warehouses hold thousands of rolls on the floor, so you compare real carpet rather than a sample square.
- What if the range I want is not in stock?
- Stock changes weekly, so call Maidstone on 01622 828445 or Gillingham on 01634 481102 and the team will tell you what is in today and what is close to it.