But how do you choose which cleaning method is right for your carpet? We asked industry professionals—manufacturers, installers, and cleaners—to lend their expertise. Here’s, the low-down on four of the most common carpet cleaning methods.

Hot-Water Extraction, also know as Steam Cleaning: Hot water and a cleaning solution are injected into the carpet then immediately suctioned out with a powerful wet vacuum, usually called a hot-water extraction cleaner.

• Best Method overall for removing superficial stains (i.e., muddy footprints), deep stains, and ground-in dirt. Leaves less residue in carpet than other methods when used properly.
• Takes four to eight hours to dry. Not always the best choice if you live in a humid climate, where rugs may not dry quickly
• You’ll typically have to pay a minimum of between $50 and $75 to get the cleaning service to come to your house.
• Rent machine from supermarkets for $25 to $35 a day; detergent costs about $15. Not the best choice for an inexperienced do-it-yourselfer: Machines can be complicated to use, and it’s easy to apply too much water. Never steam clean Oriental rugs yourself; colors can run. A number of manufacturers now make hot-water extraction cleaners for consumers to purchase. The prices range from $100 to $300.

Dry Extraction: Spongelike particles that contain a cleaning solution are sprinkled on carpet, then worked in. The particles absorb dirt and are then vacuumed up. Common brand names include Host Dry Carpet Cleaner and Capture Dry Powder Cleaner.

• Removes superficial stains, most ground-in dirt, and some deep stains.
• Dries in two hours or less.
• Can be used on Oriental rugs, but always test a small, hidden patch before using on the rest of the carpet.
• If not vacuumed thoroughly, the non-toxic cleaning agent remains in carpet and residue may appear chalky.
• $15 to $20, but you’ll typically have to pay a minimum fee, which may be as much as $100.
• Rent machine from carpet or hardware stores for about $14 a day; cleaning compound runs about $24.
• Easy-to-operate machinery makes this a good choice for do-it-yourselfers, but don’t attempt unless you’re confident that your vacuum is in good shape, and powerful enough to remove the cleaning particles completely.

Rotary Spin Pad or Bonnet Cleaning: Advertised under brand names including Chem Dry, this method combines a cleaning solution with a fabric pad that is attached to a rotating head.

• Dries within two hours.
• Removes moisture
• Removes surface soils or stains
• May not remove all ground-in dirt or deep stains Some systems may damage carpet by distorting pile.
• $50 to $75, but expect to pay a higher minimum.
• Machines are not available for consumer use.

Dry Foam: Sometimes advertised as the Von Schrader method, a low-moisture detergent foam is brushed into the carpet and the dirty foam is immediately extracted with a built-in vacuum system.

• Fast drying- in two to four hours.
• Risk of over-wetting the carpet is slight.
• Good for ground-in dirt.
• Okay for use on wool and cotton rugs.
• If low-quality detergents are used, they may leave a residue, which can contribute to re-soiling.
• About $30 to $40 but expect to pay a higher minimum.
• Machines are not available for consumer use.

-Courtesy of Good Housekeeping

A few general rules of thumb:

Buy yourself a container of mild detergent – one that contains no bleaches, alkalies or other harsh substances. This detergent usually will be the first step in all of these individual carpet-cleaning procedures. You’ll also want to purchase a small supply of white hand towels or dish towels. Don’t, under any circumstance, use a colored towel to clean your carpeting, unless you’re aiming for the multicolored look. And when you apply any cleaning solution – homemade or otherwise – to your carpet, start small. Gently blot a small amount onto the affected area, and test it before you continue. Some solutions may cause carpets to fade, although that shouldn’t happen if you use a mild detergent.

How do you remove a chocalate stain? Dilute about one teaspoon of mild detergent with one cup of lukewarm water, and lightly blot the affected area with a clean white towel. Next, dilute one table spoon of household ammonia in a half-cup of water. Lightly blot the area again. Now, repeat the first step, using the mixture of detergent and lukewarm water. Finally, dampen a sponge with water, and lightly rub the spot. The stain should lift. Then blot the area with a dry white towel. If this process fails to remove the entire stain, repeat the steps.

To remove a coffee stain from your carpeting, you’ll need to use your trusty combo or mild detergent and lukewarm water (again using the ratio of one teaspoon detergent to one cup of water). Blot the mixture on the carpet, then mix one-third cup of white household vinegar into two-thirds cup of water and blot. Sponge the area lightly with water, then blot again. Use the identical procedure for spilled tea, cola and fruit juices. For spilled wine, follow the same procedure with one additional step: Repeat step one (mild detergent and water) after using the vinegar-and-water solution.

Ballpoint pens strike fear in the hearts of every new-carpet-owner. These deadly instruments leave behind particularly stubborn stains, which aren’t necessarily permanent. But you’ll need something a bit stronger than vinegar to do the job. Start with a small amount of dry-cleaning solvent. Make sure you use just a little because dry-cleaning solvent could cause discoloration to your carpeting. Blot the solvent into the affected area. Then use your mild detergent mixture (one teaspoon to one cup of water) and blot.

Finally, sponge the area with clean water, and blot again. You may need to repeat the process, but remember to go easy on the solvent. Follow the same procedure for tar stains and spilled hand lotion.

Rust is another common carpet culprit. While it seems stubborn in its appearance, you can actually lift rust from your carpeting with rust remover. A few other tips for successful stain removal: When you first discover the stain, blot it or scrape it with a dull knife to remove as much as you can before you begin to clean the area using your household solutions. Make sure that you blot stains, never rub them. You’ll only grind the stain into the carpet and cause further damage. Avoid overwetting your carpet with various solutions and or/water. And when you’re finished treating your carpet, brush it to restore its appearance and blend the piles into the surrounding carpet.

The first rule of thumb when attempting to remove spots from your carpet is that the sooner you catch it, the better. If you see the cranberry sauce headed for the floor, don’t wait until later to clean the area. Your chances of success are much higher if you attempt to clean the spot before it’s dry. For many of us, our first instinct is to grab a towel, wet it thoroughly and saturate the affected area. While you’ll dilute the stain by wetting it, you run the risk of spreading the stain, too.

Instead, grab a white towel – preferably cotton or terry, both of which absorb more effectively than other materials – and blot the area. Make sure that you use a white towel – many colored towels will add to the problem by bleeding into your carpet when rubbed on a damp stain. And with a white towel, you’ll be able to tell if you’re successfully removing the stain; the towel will show the evidence. If the spot comes from food and there is solid material built up on your carpet, scrape it off using a butter knife or other dull edge.

Before you apply any spot remover to your carpet, test it in a remote area of your carpeting – the corner of a closet, for example, or behind a piece of furniture that you don’t intend to move any time in the future. Pour several drops of the stain remover on the carpet in this inconspicuous area, then blot the area with a white cloth/terry towel. If the solution bleaches the spot, or if your carpet’s color is being transferred to the towel, be grateful you tested the solution first, and call a professional to do the job where it counts.

If, however, your out-of-the-way spot passes the test, you can attempt the job yourself. Apply a few drops of solution to the stain, being careful not to apply too much, and blot the area gently with a white cotton/terry towel, moving from the outer edge of the stain to the center to avoid causing rings. Make sure you don’t rub the area; that can make the stain larger and ground it into your carpet’s inner fibers. You may need to repeat this process a few times, depending upon the cause of the stain and how long the stain has been on your carpeting. When the area is dry, brush it gently to restore your carpet’s look.

Some materials are tricker and require a little extra elbow grease to remove. Again, if you catch these carpet culprits right after they’ve dropped onto your carpeting, your chances of successfully removing the stains are much greater. Some of these tougher culprits include:

Gum: If the gum is still soft, harden it with an ice cube. Then scrape it off with a very dull knife (i.e., a butter knife) or spatula. Then apply a small amount of dry cleaning solvent (available at most hardware and grocery stores) to remove any remaining residue.

Soot: These black smudges are resilient and are best removed with a combination of a dry-cleaning solvent, detergent and ammonia solutions (see below). Blot between each step. At the end of the process, rinse the area well and blot until dry.

Crayons: If Junior has taken to expressing his artistic learning on your brand-new carpeting, you can remove this waxy substance by applying a combination of a dry-cleaning solvent, detergent solution and grease/oil/paint remover (available at most hardware stores). Blot between each step. When finished, rinse and blot dry.

To make a the above mentioned cleaning solutions yourself, dilute one tablespoon of colorless, mild dishwashing detergent (containing no bleach) in a cup of lukewarm water. You can also use powered laundry detergents; some of them list recipes on their boxes for creating your own household cleaning solutions. To create an ammonia solution, dilute one tablespoon of household ammonia in a half-cup of water.

If, after repeating all of these steps, you’re not having success, call a professional carpet-cleaning company. However, let the buyer beware – a number of carpet-cleaning companies have come under fire recently for their failure to adequately provide the services they claim to perform, leaving customers with poorly cleaned carpets and high bills. You’ve probably received several coupons in the mail advertising services that will clean multiple rooms in your home for an amazingly low price. The fact is that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If in doubt, call your local Better Business Bureau, or ask for recommendations from family or friends.

CLEANLINESS IS EVERYTHING
For most buyers, the kitchen is one of the key rooms. Keep it clean and sparkling.

CLEAR THE COUNTERS
Clear counters make the room appear larger and easier to work in. Put seldom-used appliances under the counter, in moving boxes or sell them at a garage sale.

THE STOVE AND OVEN
Clean the burners and the oven. Clean the ventilation hood with a good grease cutter and replace the filter. If any burner trays are damaged, they are cheap and easy to replace.

THE FRIDGE
De-personalize the refrigerator door by removing all of the magnets, pictures and notes. While most buyers won’t open the fridge door, a box of baking soda in the fridge will freshen any odors.

SINKS
To really whiten a porcelain sink, spread paper towels in the bottom and saturate with bleach for an hour or so. Remove water spots from a stainless steel with rubbing alcohol, club soda, or vinegar on a sponge. Fix any leaking faucets.

FLOORS
Repair or replace damaged linoleum, tile or grout. Check with your insurance carrier as floor damage might be covered under your homeowner’s policy.

KITCHEN CABINETS
Cabinets often reveal a kitchen’s age and affect the buyer’s perception. Try cleaning them with an all purpose cleaner to take off grease and dirt. If necessary, re-paint them with a high gloss enamel. For a modern, new look, try new knobs.

THE PANTRY
Buyers want to see lots of storage in a kitchen. Go through your pantry to see what you can dispose of and neatly organize the rest of it. There are many closet and cabinet organizing systems available at discount stores.

LIGHTEN UP
If your kitchen is dark and dreary, a fresh coat of paint on the walls and ceiling will make a dramatic difference. Stay with bright neutral colors such as white, beige or light grey. Replace any burned out bulbs and if necessary, replace the curtains.

DOORS AND DRAWERS
Adjust and lubricate all door hinges and drawer guides.

SANITIZE
Bathrooms help homes sell. Make sure these rooms look and smell sanitized. Remove all stains in the bowl and tub. If stains can’t be removed, replace it or resurface it.

SPARKLING SINK
The sink and sink handles should sparkle. Repair leaking faucets. Remove any stains in the grout, sink edges or around the fixture. Keep toiletries in the drawers instead of on the counter.

BRIGHTEN THE BOWL
Thoroughly clean the toilet bowl. Replace the seat if it is damaged or worn. Drop a commercial bowl cleaner in the tank – but stay away from blue.

TOWELS
Hang clean and matching towels. Inexpensive bathroom sets can add charm and appeal.

SHOWER CURTAIN
When showing, pull the curtain back for a larger looking room. Put the shower curtain in the washing machine with warm water and a 1/2 cup each of detergent and baking soda and toss in two large bath towels. Add a cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle. Do not machine dry; simply re-hang.

CAULKING
Check and repair caulking around the bathtub and shower.

LIGHT BULBS
Wash the vanity light bulbs. Clean the corners of the mirrors. Organize your medicine chest.

MEDICATIONS
Remove any narcotics or other prescription drugs and keep them in a bedroom drawer or locked cabinet.

SHINING VANITY
Remove everything from the vanity. Toothbrushes, hairdryers, razors and brushes are all a turn-off to prospective buyers.

CLEAN UNDERNEATH
Clean the baseboards and under the cabinet. Wash the throw rugs and used towels more frequently to remove odors.

INSIDE OF DISHWASHER
With an empty dishwasher, set one cup of bleach in the bottom and run wash cycle (do not run dry cycle). Then, run one cup of vinegar through an entire cycle. NOTE: Do not try to short cut it and run both vinegar and bleach at the same time. Bleach should not be mixed with any other substance due to poisonous gases that can form.

STOVE-TOP BURNERS
Soak them in a little water and dishwasher detergent for an hour and scrub well. Then wash them in the dishwasher.

VENTED HOOD FILTER
Place the whole filter into the dishwasher and you will be amazed.

VINEGAR MAGIC
Use white vinegar to remove stains from stove top, shine your chrome, and take grease off wood cabinets.

MARKS ON SINK BOTTOM
They can be bleached out or scrubbed off with a nylon scrub and baking soda.

STAINS ON FIBERGLASS TUBS AND SHOWERS<a
A paste made from baking soda and water left on the stain over night will usually remove the stain. Use a damp cloth and scrub. Never use anything abrasive.

RING AROUND TOILET BOWL
Pour 2 or 3 cups of bleach or vinegar (do not mix) in the bowl and let sit overnight. If that doesn’t work, try liquid rust remover. Also clean the holding tanks.

ADHESIVES AND STICKERS ON WOOD
Rub vegetable oil or mayonnaise on the sticker and leave it a while. It should come right off with no damage.

HEAL MARKS ON VINYL FLOOR
Try a damp cloth and baking soda or rub a little non-gel toothpaste on the mark.

OVEN
Wash all removable parts in the dishwasher. Clean glass with vinegar or ammonia (don’t mix). If still dirty, unscrew the window panel and clean inside of glass.

1. Appliances. To rid yellowing, mix together 1 cup bleach, 1 cup baking soda and 4 cups of warm water. Apply with a sponge and let sit for 10 minutes. Rinse and dry thoroughly.

2. Oven. Try this effective overnight oven cleaner. Set the oven to “warm” for 20 minutes, then turn off. Put a small dish of ammonia on the top shelf, a large pan of boiling water on the bottom shelf, and close the oven door. The next morning, air out the oven and wash off even hard, baked-on grease with ease.

3. Grease-Clogged Drains. Pour in a cup of salt and a cup of baking soda followed by a kettle of boiling water.

4. Kitchen Sink. Whiten the porcelain sink by spreading paper towels on the bottom and saturating with bleach. Let sit for an hour or so. Clean the fixture with rubbing alcohol or vinegar on a sponge.

5. Clogged Shower Head. Boil metal heads in 1 cup of vinegar and a quart of water for 15 minutes. For plastic, soak it in equal parts vinegar and hot water for 1 hour.

6. Musty Odors. Place an open can filled with kitty litter in the area overnight.

7. Upholstery. Try shaving cream (try on an inconspicious area first).

8. Copper. Fill a spray bottle with vinegar and 3 tablespoons of salt. Spray on the discolored copper and let stand. Rinse off.

9. Heal Marks. Heel marks surrender quickly to turpentine on a rag, or you can just try an ordinary pencil eraser.

10. Carpet. Try club soda for quick clean-ups of fresh stains. Blot instead of rub to avoid spreading the stain.

PAINT
Paint the trim, or if necessary, the entire house. This is the number one tip for enhancing the exterior appeal of your home.

DE-CLUTTER
Remove toys, bikes, lawn furniture, disabled autos, or anything else that is visible from the street. Coil the hoses. Shut the garage door.

MOW AND EDGE
Mow the lawn twice per week during the summer months. Edge the walks and trim the hedges as needed.

GREEN IT UP
Water and fertilize the lawn. Repair broken sprinkler heads. Hand water dry spots. Weed the flower beds approaching the front door.

CUT BACK
Landscaping should enhance your home, not hide it. Cut back shrubs and bushes to the height of the bottom of the windows. Prune low hanging branches high enough to walk under.

 

MOVE THE TRASH CANS
If the trash cans are visible from the street, move them out of sight. Clean and deodorize the cans and the surrounding area.

FIX THE FENCE
Paint, repair or replace any broken or missing fence boards. Repair all gates.

THE DRIVEWAY
Spray the driveway clean. Remove grease spots from the garage and driveway with commercial cleaners. Park in the garage or across the street during showings.

THE FRONT DOOR
The front door gives a vital impression while the buyer is waiting to be let in. Clean and scrub the door, the door knob and the knocker. Replace the door if necessary. Sweep or spray off the front porch. Add blooming flowers and a nice mat.

THE DOOR BELL
Thoroughly clean the door bell. Use a toothpick, if necessary. Repair the bell if not working.

THE BEST LAST-MINUTE HIDING PLACES:

UNDER THE BED
Even though this is a common hiding place, it’s so obvious sometimes you may forget about it. What makes this an ideal place is that it is roomy, usually located centrally in the room, and buyers never look under a bed. In a rush, kick clothes, toys, shoes or whatever other clutter there is under the bed.

IN THE WASHER OR DRYER
Buyers rarely, if ever, open a washer or dryer. This makes them ideal last-minute hideaways for toys, books, and boots, as well as dirty clothes. When utilizing this hiding place, it is a VERY good idea to tell the rest of the family. You never know when someone will get ambitious and turn on the dryer, or start to fill the washer.

TRUNK OF YOUR CAR
Scooping toys, unpaid bills and even dirty dishes into a laundry basket, and then putting it in the car is a very handy way to hide clutter. It’s easy, it’s fast and no one will ever know it was there.

IN THE FRIDGE
For most buyers, opening your refrigerator will be off limits. This makes it an ideal place for the last-minute stashing of anything that won’t suffer from being a little cold!

BEHIND THE COUCH
Pull the sofa a few inches away from the wall and you can quickly stash coats, backpacks, shoes and even dirty laundry out-of-sight and out-of-mind.

 

THE WORST LAST-MINUTE HIDING PLACES:

OVEN
A surprising number of buyers will open the oven door. Make sure you have cleaned the oven and don’t store your pots and pans inside. Doing so makes it appear as if you are short on kitchen space.

LAUNDRY ROOM
Buyers tend to remember a nice, neat laundry room. Filling the sink and covering the counters shrinks the size of the room, minimizing its perceived utility.

BEDROOM CLOSETS
All homebuyers today desire roomy closets and lots of storage space. This is a good time to empty your closets, store the extra items in boxes or hold a yard sale. Avoid cramming the bedroom closets with extras; the more space that shows in your closets, the better.

KITCHEN DRAWERS
The same buyers who would not dream of opening your refrigerator, will think nothing of pulling out a drawer. Try to keep kitchen drawers as uncluttered as possible. You might want to use a bedroom drawer for seldom used kitchen utensils, measuring cups and Tupperware lids.

KITCHEN PANTRY
Of all the storage space, the kitchen pantry might be the most important. Now would be a goodtime to pack up all of the extras that you are currently storing in your pantry. Organize your cans and boxes. The less cluttered the pantry is, the bigger it looks, and the more buyers will remember it, favorably.

CLEAR THE KITCHEN AND BATHROOM COUNTERS
Store appliances, containers, bottles and any other infrequently used items under the counter and out of site. This will make the most important rooms in your house appear larger and more livable.

CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN
A clean house can bring thousands more and will always sell faster. Wash the windows, clean the carpets, mop the floors, scrub door frames and light switches, dust the floorboards, scour the bathrooms, change the shower curtain.

USE YOUR NOSE
Make sure your home has a pleasant aroma. Bake cookies or a frozen bread loaf or burn candles or potpourri. Boil cinnamon sticks. Put a dab of vanilla on a cold light bulb. Grind a lemon in your disposal. Take out all trash, especially the kitchen.

REMOVE YOUR PETS
Many people are afraid of or simply allergic to pets and will not feel comfortable in your home with a pet underfoot. Take them for a walk or to the neighbors during showings. Pay particular attention to pet odors—it will kill the sale.

SILENCE IS GOLDEN
Be polite but avoid getting into conversations with buyers. They need to become emotionally involved with your home and conversation distracts them. Turn off the TV and put the radio on a classical station.

LIGHT AND BRIGHT
A light and bright house is cheerful and inviting. Open all blinds and curtains, turn on every light including in the closets and basement. Change light bulbs to higher wattage bulbs and clean light fixtures.

SPLASH OF COLOR
A fresh flower arrangement will add color and fragrance to any room. Put fresh color-coordinated towels in the baths. Set your table with your nicest china.

DON’T SELL THE FURNITURE
Don’t try to complicate the sale by offering to sell your furniture, rugs or boat to prospects. Don’t call attention to things the buyer might of overlooked by apologizing for the appearance or condition of your home.

THE QUICK CLEAN
Vacuum, clear the dishes and wipe down the counter, make the beds, pick up the laundry, clear the front porch and front yard of toys, hoses, shoes, etc. This may be your only chance with this buyer, so roll up your sleeves and put some elbow grease into it.

MAKE SHOWING YOUR HOME EASY
Try to cooperate with agents on the time for appointments. Allow for a keybox on your home to insure all available buyers get to see your home. If someone shows up unannounced, ask for 10 minutes for a quick pick-up and dusting, then let them in. If you can, leave the home while the showing is taking place.