We all want to keep our carpets looking great, but many of us cannot afford to buy our own steam cleaner, and renting a steam cleaner is just not in the cards. If that sounds like you, then don’t worry. There are actually several ways that you can give your carpet a deeper clean without having a steam cleaner on hand. Here’s what you should know.

1. VACUUM REGULARLY

The first thing to know is that deep cleaning starts with a good level of regular cleaning. Keep your carpets clean and you’ll have a much easier time with deep cleaning. It’s highly recommended that you vacuum your entire home at least once per week. However, high traffic areas may need to be vacuumed more often. If you have pets, you’ll definitely need to vacuum frequently.

2. STAY ON TOP OF STAINS

Spills and accidents happen. We get it. There’s not a lot you can do to prevent them from happening in the first place. However, what you do immediately after has a huge impact on whether you’re left with a stain on the carpet, or you’re able to return it to its pristine condition. Stay on top of stains – act immediately to blot up spills and to deal with pet stains. Have a trusted brand of carpet cleaner (organic, preferably) on hand so that you can easily tackle issues as they arise.

3. GO LOW TECH

If you don’t have a steam cleaner and either cannot afford to or do not want to rent one, you can get some of that dirt out of it, at least the top layer. Get a scrub brush, a bucket, and a bit of organic dish soap. Fill the bucket with soap and warm water, and then dip the brush in. Test an out of the way section of your carpet for colorfastness, and if it passes, proceed to clean the house room by room. You’ll need to scrub the carpet by hand to get the dirt up, then change out the water in the bucket and grab a terry towel, and go back over it. Use fans to help speed drying, and then vacuum when you’re done.

4. RAKE AND BRUSH IT

You can use a variation of the technique above with a carpet rake, and a good organic spray-on carpet cleaner. Just spray the carpet, rub the foam into the carpet and let it dry. Finally, use the rake to fluff the carpet back up again.

5. SPOT CLEAN WITH CREAM

Finally, if you have tough stains that won’t come up, you can use a bit of foam shaving cream. Just apply a small amount of cream to the spot with a brush, and work it into the carpet. Then, use a clean, damp rag to clean it all up. Blot it dry and you’re done.

The five tips above will help you keep your carpets looking good day in and day out even if you don’t own your own steam cleaner.