How to save carpets

Those that know me well know that I am the ultimate shopper. I make it my business to find solutions to any problem on the internet (I found out how to clean Whirlpool jets), and I will find the best deal from the most reliable cyber vendor. Most importantly, lots of research hours go into any major purchase I make, such as a digital camera, car, GPS, refrigerator, etc. It took me two weeks of research to decide on Creative Labs Zen:Vision MP3 player for my husband's Christmas gift, even over the iPod. I have my own personal shopping mafia. And I'm not stingy with information, as I will gladly share the fruits of my research (with anyone that will listen).

Where is this rant going? Well, we just bought and moved into a new house (more details some other time at another post). The previous owners had pristine very light beige carpeting that looked like new in the upstairs bedrooms, hallway, and down the staircase to the main level. I'd like to keep it that way. Pristine. But how? My current solution is a plastic adhesive liner thingy the movers installed to not dirty the carpets when they moved our stuff in. It's been there now for a month, and yes it looks a bit tacky. I feel like a grandma, with plastic covers everywhere. And eventually I will have to take it off to vacuum the stairs, or it will get grimy some day. I thought, I'm not the only one who wants to be anal about keeping her carpet looking like new. I had found a carpet cover in a home solutions catalog that, big surprise, was a carpet itself. Except it was washable, durable, and claimed to stay put. Even on stairs. The catalog sold it in 15 ft and 20 ft long segments, 30" wide. I wanted to see if I could get it cheaper. So I turned to the internet of course.

Behold Carpet Saver! The next best thing since sliced bread, according to the web site. It sounds perfect. Almost TOO perfect. And they sell it by the foot, however long you need it. Since I'm desperate to get rid of the plastic adhesive liner thingy, and looking to protect the entrance to the basement and basement stairs as well, I will be measuring this weekend how many feet of this wonder cover I will need. I'll have to update on how well this thing works.

Another inane stupid home problem solved. I can't believe I spent like 4 hours looking for this crap.

I should've written about the two back-to-back parties we hosted this weekend...