There is nothing worse than a worn, dirty or foul-smelling carpet to drag the tone of a house down.

Understandably, many people are reluctant to fork out money for new floor coverings just before they move out but remember, a good carpet clean can do wonders for a house.

House sellers, estate agents and new homeowners are all big customers of professional carpet cleaners, particularly at this time of year. Even if you think the new owner is going to strip the house of all furnishings, getting the pros in for a carpet clean is usually a good idea.

Getting your carpets professionally cleaned will not only give your carpet a fresh lease of life, it can eliminate nasty pet, smoke and other unidentifiable odours. And while you're at it, you may as well get your suite of furniture done too.

Chem-Dry, which uses a carbonating cleaner rather than shampoos or detergents, says there are no sticky residues left in your carpet to encourage re-soiling, with its system. The average price for cleaning carpets in a three-bed semi will be in the region of 280. Aqua-Dry Doherty uses a hot-water extraction system using pre-sprays, deodorants and fabric restorers. An average house would cost between €320 and €380 and the company says it has a 100 per cent no quibble money back guarantee.

If you are feeling particularly energetic, pick up a steam cleaner and do it yourself - Power City has steam cleaners priced 49 to €449.

And if you are going to go the whole hog and put in new carpets, don't choose expensive carpet. But make sure they are easy on the eye,not cheap and nasty. More importantly, go for neutral tones. New owners can easily paint over walls, but changing floor coverings is more expensive and more work.

Chem-Dry 1850 500 200

Aqua-Dry 01 2959047