I feel that carpet is meant to be walked on, with and without shoes. I let people walk in my home with shoes on. I also let the kids have fun when they play,in fact my livingroom right now looks like a kid tornado hit it! It will be cleaned when the kids are done.I like the fact that the kids would rather play here and that they love coming to my home, I like being known as the fun home and not the mr clean house!
I have huntergreen carpeting, its great because it hides all spilled drinks. IT is not great for cream colored dog hair, but thats better than having mauve colored carpeting that get trashed in a yr!But then again I even let the dog on the furniture.
I'd rather have a home that people feel comfortable coming to and spending time in that one that is the cleanest house on the block.(notice I said house, not home?)I'm not out to impress anyone, I'd rather go for comfort than appearance. If I wanted a showplace I'd live in the display windows at the local department store!