Just like some of your city’s streets, your home has its own most heavily traveled routes. Entries, kitchens, hallways, and dens are where people congregate, so it’s not surprising that rugs, carpets, and other flooring get dirtiest in these locations.

 

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These are called high traffic areas. Since more soil results in more wear and tear on flooring, these areas need more frequent cleaning, and more careful cleaning at each interval, than more lightly traveled places, such as formal living rooms, bedrooms, and closets.

For example, the parlor rug that folks almost never walk on may require vacuuming once a week or even less frequently to remove dust. On the other hand, hallways and kitchen floors might need daily vacuuming or sweeping to prevent wear and tear from ground-in soil. Vinyl or laminate flooring in the kitchen will need mopping and sealing more often than a similar surface in the bathroom.