A carpet is considered to be an integral part of the decor in almost every home. When dirty it ceases to be something that makes your home more appealing and becomes an eye sore. Thus cleaning it becomes a necessity rather than a choice. The following are some vital carpet cleaning tips. You should never clean the carpet with your shoes on. This is by far one of the most important carpet cleaning tips. If you did not already know, your shoes are responsible for the grime on your carpet. Every time you enter the house with shoes, you carry in all the dirt. Accordingly, you will be doing zero work if you wear the same shoes when cleaning the carpet. Vacuuming on a regular basis is another of the important carpet cleaning tips. You have heard that prevention is better than cure. Vacuuming regularly prevents dirt from embedding on the fibers of the rag thereby becoming hard to remove. Prior to vacuuming, you should sprinkle a little baking soda on the carpet. This helps to remove all the offensive odors. Remember to move the vacuum in overlapping patterns and not just in parallel lines as this does not effectively remove dirt. Vacuum cleaners are available in the market and it is up to you to pick one that is pocket friendly. Tip number three on cleaning carpets is to always start with mild cleaners. You will definitely destroy the aesthetic value of the carpet if you use harsh abrasives. Mild cleaners help to not only preserve the texture but also the color of the rag. You do not even have to make a trip to the local department store to buy the cleaner. Such household items as vinegar, shaving cream and dish detergent work just fine. These carpet cleaning tips will definitely come in handy next time you have to clean your rag. Share them with those close to you and do not lose them.