If you haven't given much thought to what's under your feet, it might be time to start. Whether you're a sucker for shag or a fan of the frieze, there are a few facts about carpet that can't be, well, swept under the carpet.

Carpet a low emitter of VOCs

Installing new carpet? Do so with confidence. According to the Carpet and Rug Institute, "new carpet is the lowest VOC-emitting floor covering and one of the lowest-emitting products used in new construction and renovation — much lower than products such as paint."

They will survive — unless you clean

Need another reason to keep your carpets cleaned? A study posted by the American Society of Microbiology found infectious viruses like norovirus, typically known as the stomach flu, can live on an uncleaned carpet for as long as 15 days. Time to dust off that shampooer.

They're symbolic

Your modern shag might not be rich in symbolism, but carpets have long been associated with specific meaning. Persian carpets, for instance, often symbolize the universe of heaven and earth. The floral designs of oriental carpets, however, were symbols of paradise. There is also an intentional flaw weaved into each carpet, termed the "Persian Flaw."

"The Persians believed only God or a higher power was perfect in all aspects and to show that carpet makers would intentionally place flaws or mistakes in the carpet," according to Hadi Farnoud, contributor to the Medium.

They can be sacred

Never considered your carpet holy? Muslim prayer carpets, which often depict religious symbols, are an integral part of the faith.

There's a difference

Are you using the words "carpet" and "rug" interchangeably? Stop. The main difference between carpet and rugs is sheer size. A carpet is anything larger than 40 square feet. Tell that to Aladdin and his magic "rug."

The red variety really is special

If you've ever dreamed of attending the Oscars or any other "red carpet" event, you might be interested to know that the signature red hue is likely more traditional than you thought. The first documented instance of a red carpet used to mark the formal routes of leaders and politicians dates back to 458 B.C. in Agamemnon.

And they probably kept it really clean, too.

Vacuuming is your most important chore

Time to get friendly with that vacuum. According to the Carpet and Rug Institute, regular vacuuming is the most effective way to keep your carpet clean: "Proper vacuuming is the easiest and most effective way to keep your carpet clean. Regular vacuuming can also have the largest impact on the air you breathe."

It'll keep you warm

Well, warmer. Carpeting can actually keep a room warmer during the colder winter months than other types of flooring and that could save you some money on heating.

It'll save your ears

Have teenagers, TV's, toddlers, blue tooth speakers, phones and computers in the house? Carpet reduces all of those loud noises into a (somewhat) more manageable level. Carpet also helps mask foot traffic, according to the Carpet and Rug Institute. Time to brush up on those scaring skills.

It's all about the Middle East

Sure, carpeting is now made all over the world, but Iran has historically been the world's largest exporter of handmade carpets. That said, Iran lost significant business in 2012 when U.S. sanctions forbid the import of Iranian-made carpets, according to Reuters.

…and Georgia

Handmade carpet and rugs might be spectacular, but for comfortable, beautiful flooring, the Deep South rules the market. In fact, according to the Carpet and Rug Institute, Georgia supplies more than 45 percent of the world's carpet and rugs. In fact, more than 85 percent of the U.S. carpet and rug market is produced by mills located within a 65-mile radius of Dalton, Georgia.

They can last longer than you imagine

You might get tired of your carpet color or find that your dog has loved your floor covering a little too well. But carpet can last a while — archaeologically speaking. The oldest documented "rug" is called the Pazyryk Carpet and is more than 2,000 years old. Archaeologists found the carpet in the 1940s in a Siberian cave. Now it resides in the St. Petersburg's Hermitage Museum.

Did you learn a thing or two about carpeting? Next time you're relaxing and enjoying the beautiful carpet in your home, you just might see that plush pad beneath your feet in a new light.

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