The Carpet Guy: Take Simple Steps to Protect and Care for your Carpet

Caring for your carpet is similar to taking care of yourself. Annual visits to your doctor, a proper diet, exercise, all lead to good health and hopefully, an extended life.

The same is true for your carpet. An annual professional cleaning, vacuuming, spot cleaning, and catching dirt before it enters you home, all helps to keep your carpet and home healthy, and extend the life of your carpet.

Catching dirt

Most dry soils, approximately 70 percent, that are brought into a home are deposited within the first 10-15 feet. Using mats outside and inside, help reduce the amount of soils brought further into the home. Removing shoes upon entering the house also helps. Change filters in your heating and air conditioning unit regularly. This also helps to reduce the indoor air pollutants and dust particles that enter your home.

Vacuuming

Regular vacuuming, at least weekly, will help remove the soils that made it past your mats. It will also help remove the dust, pollen, pet dander, and all other particles that settle into your carpet. Regular vacuuming is an often overlooked key function of extending carpet wear life, which means saving you money. Another simple trick is to vacuum your carpets based on the amount of people and pets you have in your home. Two adults, two children, and one pet would equal vacuuming five days per week. Always use a vacuum with a Hepa filter if at all possible and make sure to change the bag/clean the canister often.
 

Clean spots and spills

When a spill occurs or you find a spot, clean it quickly. Don’t wait. The longer spots and spills sit, the harder they are to remove and some may become permanent. Use caution when using products to remove the spots and spills. Be careful they don’t harm or damage your carpet. Some products sold in retail stores need to be rinsed extremely well, otherwise, the spot will return. The reason for this is because the product leaves a slight sticky residue, which allows for rapid re-soiling. Other products have strong bleaching agents. The spot will be removed, but so will the color in your carpet. Read and follow the instructions carefully. If you have questions, call a professional.
 

Professional cleaning

Professionally deep clean your carpets every 12-18 months. If you have a relatively new carpet, failing to clean professionally within this time frame may void your warranty. 12-18 months is the industry guideline to get the most wear life out of your carpet and to maintain its health and appearance. Of course, each home is different and may require more frequent cleanings based on number of occupants, pets, smokers, etc.

For more information, contact Chuck Roberts at Roberts Carpet & Upholstery Care at 413-458-9399 or Robertscf@aol.com. Roberts Carpet is an authorized Von Schrader Associate specializing in  low moisture cleaning using certified Green Seal approved products with a 100 percent risk-free guarantee.

Williamstown Board Opts to Negotiate with College on Water St. Lot

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
05:04AM / Tuesday, June 09, 2026

Newly elected board member Nate Budington, far left, participates in his first in-person meeting along with, from left, Matt Neely, Stephanie Boyd, Peter Beck, Shana Dixon and Town Manager Robert Menicocci.

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Select Board on Monday decided to enter into negotiations with Williams College on the sale of the vacant town-owned lot at 59 Water St.

 

But the board members made it clear that the college's proposal to acquire the lot is a starting point, not a final deal that the elected officials would accept.

 

"For the sake of continued conversation, I'm in favor of [awarding Williams the site], but if this process wasn't continued with the opportunity for further negotiation, I wouldn't vote to continue this," Peter Beck said. "I think that next step is necessary for us to get to a yes on this."

 

"I think there's wide agreement on that," Matthew Neely said just before the 5-0 vote to enter talks with the college.

 

Williams was the sole respondent to a town-issued request for proposals to develop the former town garage site, currently a dirt lot.

 

The college's stated intent is to build a new Facilities office and create up to 170 parking spaces at 59 Water Street. That use will allow the college to redevelop the current Facilities building site and parking lot as part of a reconception of the school's indoor athletic and recreation facilities.

 

Under the terms of the RFP, the college's proposal was subjected to review by an ad hoc advisory committee to the town manager, who brought the question to the Select Board. That board will have the final say on any purchase and sales agreement.