Dirty carpets? Consider these words of wisdom from humorist Dave Barry ("Homes and Other Black Holes"): "A small carpet stain where the cat vomited in 1979 can be made to `disappear' when company comes by having a predetermined family member stand on it and refuse to move." Or, call Dan McNamee.

A carpet cleaner for 15 years, McNamee is a stain-removal expert. "The worst is red Kool-Aid; it's not allowed in our house," says the owner of Schaumburg-based Best Carpet Cleaning. "And, those dog bones with the red dye. The dogs never chew them on the kitchen floor. I know; I have a dog. They chew them on the carpet."

Six days a week, McNamee drives his truck to his first call by 9 a.m. His wife, Bekki, stays home to man the telephone and shuttle their three daughters to activities. She issues prices over the telephone, based on the number of rooms and types of furniture. (He cleans area rugs and upholstered furniture, too.)