Well, that depends. Do you think it’s worth spending extra money to make messes easier to clean and carpets last a little longer?

When you spill something on most unprotected carpets, the fibers absorb the mess, causing stains or odors. Carpet protection works by repelling dirt from the carpet fibers and preventing them from absorbing the spills.

Carpet protector also helps prevent wear, and provides ultraviolet protection to reduce fading in sun-exposed carpets, says Gabe Matthews, president of highly rated Christian Brothers Cleaning & Restoration in El Cajon, California.

It can be especially helpful in high-traffic areas and in homes with children and pets, says Gary Hanson, owner of highly rated G. L. Hanson Carpet Cleaning in Palm Harbor, Florida.

Some carpet warranties include specific instructions on whether to add protector, Matthews says. Some may instruct the owner to add carpet protection when the carpets are cleaned, he says, while others restrict it altogether.

Need to hire a carpet cleaning company? Read this before you do.

Unless your warranty says otherwise, you shouldn’t need to add a protector until the carpet is at least four years old, Hanson says. New carpets come with protector infused into the fibers, so homeowners don’t need to add protection until a few years later after the fibers have worn down. Most homeowners choose to add carpet protection every 12 to 24 months, he says.

Matthews says his company generally charges $30 per room that measures about 300 square feet, averaging about 10 cents per square foot. Hanson says his carpet protection fee averages 10 to 12 cents per square foot.

Don’t want to hire a carpet cleaner? You can always do it yourself with a bottle of protector and a carpet brush. Protectors cost about $8 for a 17-ounce can to up to $80 for a gallon. A gallon can cover up to about 1,500 square feet, depending on which brand you use and how heavily you apply it.

Keep in mind that not all carpets require protector. For instance, Matthews says pouring a water-based protector on polyester, a plastic-based fiber, does absolutely nothing. Hanson says a few solvent-based protectors exist, but most protectors — like Scotchgard, which he uses — are water-based.

While certain types of carpets don’t need it and some warranties could be voided if you add it, choosing carpet protection comes down to individual preference.

“In general, there’s no real reason to put a carpet protector on it, unless they want that assurance that it will clean up better,” Matthews says. “It’s almost like an insurance policy for your carpet. If you want it to last as long as possible, do everything you can.”