Got dirty carpets? There's certainly no lack of cleaning options, including buying a carpet-cleaning machine, renting one, or hiring a pro. We tried them all. While nothing beat the ease and performance of a pro, some of the machines we tested came pretty close for less money.

Expert tips on how to choose the best carpet cleaner that will quickly and easily leave your floors fresh and clean.

Think of a vacuum cleaner as your regular go-to appliance that keeps your carpets looking sharp. A quick pass weekly or even more often does the trick. It is a rare home that doesn't have a vacuum cleaner in it.

Most of us don't vacuum every day but prefer to run the vacuum regularly. Regardless of how often you vacuum, you may wonder if it could be damaging to your carpet.