Does your Carpet need to be stretched? It is usually pretty easy to tell if you need to have your carpeting re-stretched. If it has wrinkles or bumps then it is loose. If you can pull up on it and it doesn't pop back pretty quickly, it is too loose. Carpeting that is loose wears quickly so you should have it stretched.

How much should a carpet cleaning cost? Prices can vary a great deal based on your location and the level of service that you are looking for. Be cautious of prices that appear to be too low or seem to be a fantastic deal. Look out for hidden charges. If you are using a coupon read the fine print. Look out for charges for extra pre-conditioning or pre-treatment.

How good is your vacuum? Vacuuming is the single most important thing you can do to maintain your carpets. It is important to have a good vacuum. Look for a vacuum with a beater bar which is raised metal bump on the brush. It will lift and separate the pile of the carpet for better soil removal. Buy a vacuum with good suction and change your vacuum bag after it gets half full. This will increase the suction power of the vacuum. You don't need to spend a fortune to get a good vacuum. Don't go too cheap either though, a couple hundred dollars should get you a good vacuum. Whichever vacuum you get, be sure to use it. Vacuum at least twice a week.