I just recently put in a carpet in my apartment and I dont like the idea of having to clean it so frequently as I do. My neighbor suggested that I should have ppl take thier shoes off before coming in as a solution. But I dont think most of the people that come to visit would want to have to take thier shoes off before coming inside. Anyone have any other ideas? Or am I stuck with the shoes off thing?

ENTRANCE MATS To keep outside dirt where it belongs - outside - use entrance mats on the inside and outside of the doorways. A scraper mat placed outside the entryway of your home and an absorbent mat placed inside the doors can remove as much as 75% of the dirt that can be tracked in onto your floor surfaces.
VACUUMING Regular vacuuming is critical for maintaining beautiful long-lasting carpet. Dry soil is abrasive and will cause accelerated wear by actually damaging the fibers. In addition to creating a dingy, poor appearance, it will also diminish the effectiveness of your stain resistant protective coating. A vacuum with a beater bar will give the best results. Just prior to vacuuming, the use of a carpet rake will separate fibers for maximum soil removal. It is also great after vacuuming or anytime to remove footprints and leave carpets looking clean and beautiful.
Vacuum cleaners remove most soil while pulling it toward you, so slow down while pulling your vacuum cleaner backwards. Vacuum doorways and high traffic areas in four (4) different directions to remove as much soil as possible.

SPOT CLEANING Purchase and use quality spot removers from your carpet retailer or from a professional cleaner. Use a clean, absorbent cloth to blot, never rub. Rubbing can make the stain worse and distort the fibers. Once the spot is removed, rinse by wetting the cloth with water and blotting it onto the area. Then, with a clean, dry cloth, blot dry. Clean spills or spots immediately. A quick response can eliminate an unsightly stain.

There's nothing for taking stains out of carpet like Cascade. I agree about the vacuuming.

Catty (who has lots of dirt around her house)