If you’re the parent of a young child, you already know how hard it can be to clean up after the constant spills, messes, and art projects that babies and toddlers create in their wake. That’s why when it comes to your home carpet, it’s important not to take any chances. When buying a carpet that’s going to stand the test of time, you have to do more than choose carpet colors that will be generous when it comes to masking stains. You’ll have to make sure your carpet is kid-proof at all times unless you want to keep making trips to the cleaners. While a bi-annual journey to your favorite carpet cleaning greensboro professional is unavoidable when it comes to carpet care, there are a few things you can do when purchasing a carpet to make sure your kids don’t get the best of it during the first six months at home. For parents everywhere, here are the most kid-friendly carpet options for your home.

Tile Carpeting

Equal parts fun, creative, and versatile, the aptly-named “tile” or “modular” carpet has been a top choice for home nurseries and playrooms for years. Consisting of a bunch of thin, replaceable tiles that lock together to create a vibrant floor cushion, tile carpeting isn’t just great for kids to look at. While the infinite color-combinations of tile rugs are great for little kids, who love the puzzle-like look and bright colors of modular rugs, it’s far from their only kid-friendly feature. These rugs are reasonably-priced and are made to be mixed up and swapped out. That means that if you get a stain on one tile that simply can’t be cleaned up, no worries! You can throw that one out and quickly replace it with another. These tiles are also a great, low-maintenance option for smaller toddlers and babies just learning to practice their first steps: They’re fail-safe, making them the ultimate playroom rug for any child.

Stain-Resistant Carpeting

As a parent, you’ve most likely heard of the miracle invention that is stain-proof or stain-resistant carpeting. This carpeting type doesn’t just use state-of-the-art technology to eject liquid to the surface and prevent stains from occurring, it stays odor-free and spot-free for longer, no matter what kind of pets, young kids, or wine stains you’re dealing with on a day-to-day basis. Stain-resistant carpeting might seem on the pricier side at first, but don’t be fooled: One stain-resistant carpet can save you a ton of panic and just as many emergency trips to the cleaners. If you’re not ready to invest in a stain-proof or stain-resistant carpet just yet, there are treatments you can buy (or have installed at the factory) that will give your home carpet the same effect for less money. However, if you don’t want to sacrifice the quality of a beautiful short pile home rug, going for a stain-resistant option could give you a ton of choices in terms of style, color, and warmth.

Scotchgard-Protected Carpeting

One of the at-home treatments you can use for the same stain-resistant effect is Scotchguard or any other water-proof spray. When you treat your rug or upholstery with this water-resistant spray, you’ll be able to protect not just your rug, but ever delicate or easily-stained home surface from the ravages of a small, messy child. It can be purchased at the hardware store or, if you prefer, you can even have it pre-sprayed on your carpet before you purchase it, just in case you’re not willing to take any chances. The spray they apply at the factory will be a more potent type and will last longer, creating a thicker stain-proof barrier. You can also reapply your own stain guard at home as many times as you’d like. One of the great things about this protective spray is that it can go on just about anywhere without the risk of ruining sensitive materials. If you’re looking for a one-spray-treats-all easy fix that you can simply set and forget, definitely look into buying a protective spray for all your delicate home goods.

Nylon Carpeting

If smells, pollutants, and bacteria are your concern, choosing a nylon or synthetic carpet is the best choice. Not only are these carpets easy to treat when stained, they don’t give bacteria a chance to grow beneath the surface, unlike fiber rugs. No matter what types of stains find their way onto your synthetic rug, you won’t ever have to worry about the possibility of mold or mildew creating a dangerous and unpleasant home atmosphere for you and your family.