Main Content
How To Clean a Carpet
From regular maintenance to deep cleaning, this guide will provide you with steps to preserve your carpet's appearance and longevity so they remain clean, look their best and promote lasting freshness.
How To Clean A Carpet: An Introduction
Carpet has the ability to add warmth, color and texture to any room and any home. In fact, wall-to-wall carpeting can even help reduce noise in the home as it absorbs sound waves rather than bouncing them back. But daily use of carpet can also lead to trapped allergens, dust, dirt and stains. The trapped allergens, specifically, can cause a lot of health issues for those who have asthma. Luckily, for homeowners with carpet, there are a wide range of appliances, machines and cleaning solutions designed or engineered to take care of these messes, providing you with the clean carpet you deserve. The truth is, regular vacuuming, spot cleaning and deep cleaning your carpet is what will extend its life and appearance. Should dirt and grime settle into the carpet fibers for too long, your carpet can wear out, retain foul odors, matt and look dull to the eye, especially in high-traffic areas. So if you do invest in a home, apartment or condo with carpeting, it's your responsibility to learn how to clean a carpet as a skill. That's why we're providing this helpful carpet care guide to our customers. Here, you can learn how to clean a carpet, with instructions for both basic cleaning and deep cleaning. We'll also tell you how to tackle an area rug and provide you with tips to keeping your floor looking good on a day-to-day basis.
Types of Carpet & Carpet Cleaning
Before we dive into how to clean a carpet, it's important to differentiate the various types of carpet and types of carpet cleaning. Carpet is most often defined by its pile height, which refers to the height of the carpet fibers themselves. Carpets can be low pile, medium pile and high pile. Low pile carpets feature shorter fibers, which makes the flooring look flatter and feel denser. Because of this density, low pile carpets tend to catch less dirt and debris. Medium pile carpet, of course, features fibers that are a bit longer, making the carpet softer to the touch. While medium pile is prone to catching pet hair and other dander, it's still fairly easy to clean. High pile carpets feature the longest fibers of the bunch, giving your floor a fluffy, plush appearance and feeling. This also provides more cushioning for your feet as you walk around your home. Out of all of the pile heights, high pile requires the most maintenance. Regardless of pile height, you should also be considering other floor factors before you begin cleaning. This includes the carpet fiber material itself and the style of carpet you have, the three most common being berber, pattern and texture.
Wool carpets are more delicate, so proper cleaning often involves little moisture and a gentle solution. Berber carpets consist of a looped design, so they can be prone to snagging should you use a rotating brush with your vacuum. Just like there are several different kinds of carpet, there are also several different processes of how to clean a carpet. Spot cleaning is perfect for getting rid of smaller, specific floor stains. If you're attempting to clean your entire floor, you can choose between dry cleaning and wet cleaning. Dry cleaning requires the use of powder carpeting cleaning products and it's ideal for lifting grease and dirt from your carpet, although it's doesn't go too deep into the fibers. Wet cleaning, on the other hand, can involve a steam cleaner, a shampooing machine or a hot water extraction method. Out of the three DIY options, this cleaning style goes the deepest into the fibers. The only method that goes deeper than wet cleaning is professional carpet cleaning. While professionals may use some or all of the methods covered above to clean your carpet, they use more powerful solutions and equipment that can clean heavily soiled carpets far more effectively.
How often should I clean my carpet?
No matter how clean your lifestyle is, carpets naturally accumulate dander and dirt over time as they are consistently being walked on. That's why you should be giving your carpets maintenance by vacuuming them regularly. How regularly you should be vacuuming truly depends upon how heavily the carpet is used. Guest bedrooms will likely not require as much maintenance as a shared living room will. At the very minimum, we recommend vacuuming your carpet with a suction attachment at least once a month. Deep cleanings can be done every few months or so, or at the very least once a year.
How To Clean An Area Rug
It should be noted that cleaning wall-to-wall carpeting is different from cleaning an area rug. To maintain their longevity and beauty, cleaning area rugs requires different methods. Before you begin vacuuming or washing, we recommend taking your rug outdoors and thoroughly shaking it out to dislodge any loose debris and dirt. You can even hang the area rug over a clothesline and hit it with a rug beater, which can assist in removing dust as well. If you notice your area rug has stains, try blotting the area using a clean cloth and a water detergent mixture. Other harsh chemicals will harm the fibers and damage the rug. As far as deep cleaning goes, not every area rug is designed to handle this process. Some area rugs are labeled washable and can be cleaned at home, while vintage or more delicate rugs may benefit from professional cleaning/hand-washing instead. In general, how you go about deep cleaning your area rug depends on the material and the size of the rug. For example, larger rugs may benefit from using a carpet cleaning machine. If you do decide to deep clean your area rug at home, be sure to thoroughly dry it by laying the rug flat in a well-ventilated area. It should also be turned over occasionally to ensure even drying. But you should always defer to the manufacturer's guidelines to prevent area rug damage. Most area rugs have a care label on the back that includes instructions on how to clean a carpet.
Tip: To even the wear of your area rug over time, it should be rotated at least once a year. Also, using a rug pad will help prolong the life of your area rug.
How To Clean A Carpet
Cleaning Supplies You'll Need
- Vacuum cleaner
- Carpet cleaning solution/stain remover (foam preferred)
- Cotton/microfiber cloth or towel
- Spray bottle
- White vinegar
- Bucket
- Scrub brush with nylon bristles
- Water
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Carpet cleaning machine
- Carpet cleaner appliance solution
- Oscillating fan
1
Vacuum thoroughly
Vacuuming is a great way to prep your carpet for deeper cleaning. Before powering up your appliance, though, be sure to move cords, furniture and other obstacles out of the way. Take advantage of all of your vacuum attachments as well, so you can clean around unmoveable furniture and carpet edges as precisely as possible. The attachment with rotating bristles is a good choice for lifting dirt that's been embedded in your carpet. For the best results, we recommend vacuuming in two directions perpendicular to each other. Take your time by running your vacuum over the carpet at a slower pace. While going over high-traffic areas several times is the best idea, a slower vacuuming speed will keep you from cleaning the same spots over and over again.
Tip: If you're a pet owner and notice that pet hair is stuck in your carpet, we recommend sprinkling the carpet with baking soda before vacuuming, as baking soda will help lift the hair.
2
Pre-treat carpet stains
The second step of how to clean a carpet must be done before deeper cleaning: treat any visible stains. If your stain has some stuck-on debris to go along with it, gently scrape it off your carpet without further embedding the mess into the fibers. Take your carpet cleaning solution or carpet stain remover and spray it directly onto the stain after. If you're planning to purchase a carpet cleaning solution for this process, we recommend a foam spray as foam has the ability to bind to the fibers without wetting the flooring layers below the carpet. No matter which solution you opt for, let the cleaner sit for a minute or two so it can fully saturate the stain. Then, blot the area with a clean cotton towel. If the stain is larger or more stubborn, you can also clean the area with a scrub brush before blotting. Repeat this process as many times as you need until the stain is gone. In the future, as soon as you spill liquid onto your carpet, blot the moisture away with a cloth or paper towels, then apply the stain remover. Immediate action prevents stubborn stains from occurring whatsoever. If the carpet stain was caused by a pet, we recommend investing in a pet stain remover specifically, as those solutions often help eliminate foul odors and deodorize the carpet. To make a homemade pet stain remover, mix equal parts warm water and white vinegar into a spray bottle. Removing other types of stains like wine or paint may call for a different process altogether, so we recommend doing a quick online search before proceeding with stain treatment.
3
Begin steam cleaning with your carpet cleaner
If you don't already have a carpet cleaner or steam cleaner, performing a carpet deep cleaning will require investing in one of these top-notch floor care machines or renting one. Typically, these cleaners will come with instructions too so you don't need to worry if you don't know how to clean a carpet with one. Usually, you have to put hot water and a small amount of carpet cleaning solution into the appliance. As you move forward, the machine will push out water. When you move backward over that same spot, the carpet cleaner will pull the water back up. It's important to run back and forth over each spot so water is not left behind. This helps homeowners avoid mildew and mold. Of course, the carpet will still remain a tad bit damp after a steam cleaning, so be sure to let your floor completely dry before walking on the carpet again. This can take anywhere from six to twelve hours, but the drying can be expedited by using an oscillating fan as well.
How to clean a carpet with vinegar
Some homeowners wish to learn how to clean a carpet using more natural methods. That being said, vinegar is a great, natural way to clean your carpets at home. Begin by mixing one part distilled white vinegar with three parts cold water in a spray bottle. If you're cleaning wall-to-wall carpeting, you may need to refill this bottle several times. Spray the solution onto your carpet until it's very damp and then let it soak for at least ten minutes, as this will help break down stubborn soils. Use a microfiber cloth or towel to blot the carpet, continuously rinsing the solution out of the cloth with a bucket of clean water. Be sure to change out the water should it begin getting dirty. Once you're finished lifting the solution from the carpet, expedite the drying process by opening windows and doors. We also recommend using an oscillating fan.
How to clean a carpet with baking soda & salt
Another variation of how to clean a carpet uses baking soda and salt, as the combination has the power to lift grease and reduce foul odors. First, mix equal parts of baking soda and salt. The salt can be Kosher salt or table salt. Then, fill a spray bottle with cold water. Sprinkle the baking soda salt mixture liberally over your carpet and spritz it all with water. Your carpet should be left damp but not soaking wet. Using a scrub brush, work the baking soda and salt into the carpet fibers. We suggest scrubbing in one direction first and then at a 90-degree angle, as this motion makes lifting soil much easier. All of the loosened dirt can be wiped away with your towel or cloth. If you're unable to remove all of the baking soda and salt from the carpet, that's okay. Just wait for the carpet to completely dry and run over the floor with a vacuum. If you do have to vacuum, afterward, be sure to remove the vacuum filter, rinse it with a water-vinegar solution and air dry it before returning the filter to its proper place. Why? Because baking soda can affect the longevity of your appliance as it gets trapped easily in the filter and reduces the effectiveness of the vacuum's performance.
When to call a carpet cleaning professional
While most homeowners would rather save money by learning how to clean a carpet on their own, some messes are just too big to tackle with homemade remedies. Basic carpet cleaning and stain treatments are easy enough to do, but deep cleaning can get complicated the further dirt and grime get embedded into the fibers. Plus, vintage or luxurious rugs are more delicate and prone to damage, so some may even take their basic cleaning jobs to professionals as a precaution. But when are the best times to hire a pro? Here are a few instances:
- If you've recently moved into a new home
- If you haven't been keeping up with regular carpet maintenance
- If your carpet has endured several pet accidents over the years
- If you are having trouble removing a large carpet stain
It should be noted, however, that professionals are not only there to take care of specific messes. Typically, homeowners should get their carpets professionally cleaned at least once a year to keep their floors in good condition. They know how to clean a carpet with all of the best equipment and expertise so you can maintain your carpet's longevity. This can include powerful detergents and fans, moisture readers, commercial steam cleaners and more. These commercial steam cleaners are excellent for getting dirt, bacteria and deep-seated allergens out of your carpet, no matter what pile height it is. Professional carpet cleaners rely on a multi-step cleaning process for pre-treatment, hot water extraction and drying. Should any step of this process go wrong, professionals often provide insurance to go with the cleaning service too, so they can cover replacements and repairs. Obviously, hiring a professional will cost more than purchasing cleaning supplies. Plus, some companies will charge you an additional fee based on the square footage of your home or the number of rooms they'll be cleaning. Before investing in professional carpet care, weigh all the pros and cons.
Additional Tips & Tricks On How To Clean A Carpet
- Brush and bathe your pets frequently to protect your carpet from dander.
- Keep up with regular vacuuming and treat stains immediately.
- Keep up with vacuum maintenance so your appliance can both function and clean properly.
- Remove shoes upon entering the home to prevent tracking in dirt. If you don't enjoy being barefoot inside your home, invest in a pair of sandals or slippers.
- Put doormats on the inside and outside of every door/entrance to your home.
- Regularly clean and change your HVAC filters to trap dust particles from the air before they land on your carpet.
- Train your pets well to avoid frequent accidents in the home. Also, consider investing a carpet cleaner designed specifically for pets.
- Establish boundaries for eating food. While we're not saying to 100% restrict eating over your carpet, there are plenty of foods like chocolate, wine and fried greasy snacks that can cause some of the most stubborn stains. Create limits for what can be eaten where, whether it's the kitchen or the living room.
Get Ready To Clean Your Floors Today
By learning how to clean a carpet and maintain it properly, you'll add to the aesthetic of every room in the house, promoting a healthier living environment. If you follow our step-by-step process and try out our tips, you'll get the opportunity to enjoy a fresher, more attractive carpet for years to come. Whether you're able to clean your carpet all on your own or if you rely on a professional, you'll be guaranteeing the longevity of your floor for everyone in the household. For questions on floor care appliances like vacuums or steam cleaners, speak to a member of the Abt team at 800-860-3577. You can also reference our guide on vacuums for more helpful information before bringing one home today.
