You might want to check out Home Comforts: The Art and Science of Keeping House by Cheryl Mendelson. I have read it and it is very extensive. The detail she advocates is beyond my willingness to do, but others may revel in it. Much good information of what I thought of as Home Economics for the clueless.

I am with you in your opinion about carpeting, I think it is uncleanable. The author of the above book advocates that you vacuum daily. I prefer a broom or dust mop on tile or wood floors, much more quite. Carpets on the other hand can be hauled out to the driveway and hosed down and left to dry in the sun if they get really dirty. I have seen pictures of beautiful middle eastern carpets being cleaned out doors with water and sun.