Whether you're looking to have your carpets cleaned before your holiday guests arrive or after they leave, it's easy to get overwhelmed by all the choices offered by carpet cleaning companies.

In this Angie's List Report, News Four's Tessa Darlington has advice on how to decide which technique is best for you.

It gets some of the most wear and tear in your home. Before you rush to get your carpet clean for your holiday get-togethers, figure out which method to use.

"There are a number of different carpet cleaning methods out there, and it can be overwhelming for consumers. The best bet is to follow your carpet manufacturer's recommendation because you don't want to risk voiding your warranty,” Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks said.

The three most common cleaning methods are steam cleaning, bonnet cleaning, and dry carbonating extraction. Some of those are more intense than others, which affects the pricing as well.

"Carpet cleaning costs are determined by the square footage of the area being cleaned or the number of stairs. Always insist on an in-home estimate to get the best estimate possible, and remember that even a small area may cost around $79 to be cleaned,” Hicks said.

If you're planning on cleaning carpets after your guests leave, there is a very simple way to cut down on how much space you'll have to clean and how much money you'll have to spend.

"Don’t eat in the rooms where there is carpet. Vacuum at least a couple times a week and if you take your shoes off your carpet will last almost forever,” carpet cleaning technician, Jason Hanna, said.

There are carpet cleaning machines you can rent to use on your own. If you're leaning towards hiring someone, make sure they're certified, insured and bonded. You better call quick, because they do get booked up this time of year.