"Edwin Pawlowski" wrote in message
...

"Robinkae" wrote in message
...
My in-laws installed carpet in their home 30 years ago. It was high
quality and vacuumed regularly; it still looks good. However, they
have never had the carpet professionally cleaned in any way (either
steamed or shampooed). We may inherit this home one day. By then the
carpet will be 40 or more years old. Are their any health or
cleanliness problems we should be concerned about?

No matter how well it is vacuumed, after 40 years it will still be loaded
with all sorts of dirt deep down in the pile. I'd get rid of it. Just
recently heard that carpet can weigh twice as much as new because of the
accumulated dust over the years. I don't know if that is completely true.
If they have pets, I'd get rid of it before moving in.

It is amazing how much dirt you will find UNDER a carpet. The fine dust and
dirt filters down the pile, through the backing and sits on the floor or the
underpad. Also an underpad that is 30 years old will also be deteriorating
and probably is just crumbs where the heavy traffic is. No amount of
shampooing and cleaning will remove this stuff from under the carpet.
Actually wetting the carpet may make it worse.