There are both do-it-yourself methods and a variety of professional systems for cleaning carpets. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. While do-it-yourself methods cost less, they will never be as thorough.

The bigger problem is that do-it-yourself methods provide plenty of opportunities for you to damage your carpet. The three most common ways that do-it-yourselfers (and inexperienced pros) damage carpets is by over shampooing, over wetting or failing to protect the wet carpet from furniture.

When choosing professional cleaning, stick with reputable firms and check prices up front. Stairs are more labor intensive, so most firms also charge for them separately on a per-step basis. Offers of "3 rooms for $49" may sound good, but most companies can't make money at those prices. They'll try to sell you extras like pre-spotting, soil retardants, deodorizing and anti-static treatments that may end up costing far more than the all-inclusive prices offered by other firms. Remember the following three rules, and enjoy like-new carpet for longer:

Vacuum regularly: The single most important thing you can do is vacuum regularly and thoroughly. Tests have shown it usually takes a full seven passes with a vacuum cleaner to clean all the loose dirt out of the carpet. A lightweight, upright vacuum cleaner is usually the easiest to use. To be effective, it must have strong suction and have some sort of vibrator to loosen the dirt.

Eliminate stains immediately: The next most important factor in good carpet care is to clean up stains as quickly as possible. The longer a stain sits there, the harder it is to remove. Make sure you use the right cleaning materials or you may make the situation worse.

Clean your carpet regularly: Finally, you need to have your carpet cleaned regularly, once every 12 to 18 months. You should also have them cleaned after any major soiling event such as remodeling or holiday parties. The sooner you remove dirt, the better.

-- Tips courtesy of HomeAdvisor.com