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.

Williams Community Chest Looking Forward to Centennial

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
09:20AM / Sunday, April 19, 2026

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Williamstown Community Chest is making plans to celebrate its centennial anniversary this year. 

 

"We are planning some big celebrations around this milestone," said board President Matt Carter at the nonprofit's 99th annual business meeting on Tuesday morning, unveiling the logo to be used this year "to look back on the history of the community, and to celebrate with all of you and the work that you do over this 100th year."

 

The 100th annual meeting will be held on March 10, 2027, the Community Chest's birthday (there will be cake, he promised) and a gala will be held at the Clark Art Institute on Sept. 25, 2027. 

 

"We're going to try to use this year to highlight the great work that everyone does. It's usually a custom for someone to say, well, we couldn't do this work without you, but you are the work," he said to the gathering at the Williams Inn. "We really exist to support you in doing this work."

 

The local Community Chest supports 19 agencies, awarding $318,500 in allocations, as well as $62,200 in grants in 2025 to local organizations. 

 

Executive Director Anne Singleton thanks the many volunteers and businesses that support the Community Chest and its 19 agencies.

thanked the chest's many supporters, including MountainOne for sponsoring the annual Fun Run, Williams College for hosting is Penny Social and Nonprofit Fair.

 

"I'd like to extend that thank you to our local businesses that support all kinds of events for us. They provide prizes for the Penny Social and they do this for many, many organizations and fundraisers," she said.