The carpet is a feature of any room and adds warmth to the home. However, carpet is obviously exposed to a number of feet treading over it on a daily basis. Because it is a high traffic area, carpet can suffer from dust and dirt build up and general wear and tear over time. Thankfully there are many carpet cleaning solutions that you can do as part of your domestic cleaning.•    Vacuum regularly as the first line of defence. Try to vacuum all your carpeted floor surfaces at least once a week. When vacuuming, make sure you move furniture out of the way and make sure all small objects such as toys and shoes are off the ground.•    If you find a stain on your carpet, do spot cleaning to remove it. Before spraying any product on, make sure the carpet is colourfast. You can do this by testing the spray on a hidden piece of carpet, for example in the closet, to make sure the colour doesn’t run. When removing stains from carpet, spray the area then blot using a cotton towel. Don’t rub the towel in a circular motion as this can cause the stain to spread outwards.•    Also try the water extraction method for stain removal. This is also known as steam cleaning. Make sure the carpet isn’t overly wet when using a steam cleaner as this can cause damage to the underlayment and backing. This leads to shrinking and discolouration in the carpet. •    Keep in mind that there are also many professional carpet cleaners who you can contact. If you have a big event or party at your home, hiring a professional cleaning service can often save you time and stress. Cleaning agencies send professionals who are experts in their field and can get your carpet looking as good as new. When it comes to home cleaning carpet care, it is important to choose the right carpet cleaning product. From carpet shampoos to powders, there are many options available. Being resourceful and using natural home-made cleaning products from items in the cupboard can save you a lot of money, rather than buying expensive manufactured cleaning products. Some of the options might include:•    Use every day pantry items to soak up stains as a natural carpet cleaner.•    Tonic or soda water is effective for removing coffee stains.•    A mixture of baking soda and water in a spray bottle is an effective carpet cleaner. Simply spray on the stained area and blot using a towel to clean the carpet. •    For sticky stains such as gum or glue, make it hard by using an ice cube. Then you will be able to pry it off using a knife or something similar. •    For stains that have a bad odour, mix vinegar and warm water together. Use a cloth to apply it to the stained area to remove the smell. •    Salt is also a good stain remover as it soaks up fresh stains and removes dust particles effectively. •    If you are using manufactured carpet powder, sprinkle it liberally over the stain surface and leave it sit for 30 minutes. Then vacuum the powder after this time.•    For manufactured carpet shampoos, use enough shampoo to cover the stained area. Scrub the shampoo into the carpet using a hard-bristled brush and then let the carpet dry. Vacuum the surface once the shampoo is dried.