Carpets have been around for a very, very long time one carpet from the fifth century BC still survives today, and there is evidence that carpets had been made for thousands of years before that. These carpets were more decorative than the practical version we know today, however, and they were often hung on walls as a kind of art. It was only in the 18th century that carpets became really popular as a floor covering.
Although carpets popularity has fallen in recent years, it is still one of the most popular floor coverings in the world. Unfortunately, carpet has had a lot of problems along the way, most of them to do with cleaning.
Cleaning a carpet, you see, is surprisingly difficult. Over time, they can get dirt and dust trapped deep inside their fibres, in a way that is very difficult for any type of cleaning product to remove, although the technology is still advancing all the time. A bad carpet can make a whole house dusty, playing havoc with anyone who has allergies, and making it very difficult to keep the place clean.
Carpet has also got a reputation for being stuffy and unfashionable-looking, thanks to the garishly patterned carpets of the 70s...