How to Clean Carpet Like a Pro: Expert Tips (2024)

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Types of Carpet Cleaning

Before you gather tools and materials to clean your carpet, first decide what method or methods will work best for your situation.

• Spot cleaning is ideal for removing specific stains, preferably right after a spill or mishap occurs.
• Wet cleaning involves using a carpet cleaning machine to shampoo, steam clean or use a hot water extraction method on your carpet. You can do wet cleaning on your own, though it may not be as effective for heavily soiled carpets.
• Dry cleaning is the use of dry ingredients to lift dirt and grease from your carpets. Powder carpet cleaning products are usually used, but natural ingredients may be effective. Dry cleaning can also be a low-water procedure that dampens the carpet and uses dry ingredients. Dry cleaning has little to no drying time, but it doesn’t usually deep clean carpets.
• Professional cleaning can include any of the previous methods. More powerful equipment and materials are used, however, to clean all the carpeting in an entire house or to deep clean heavily soiled carpets more effectively than most DIY carpet cleaning.

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Essential Cleaning Tools and Supplies

If you're cleaning your carpet yourself, it's time to gather the right materials for the job. These items are listed in the approximate order you’ll need them. The list isn’t exhaustive — you may need more or fewer tools and supplies, depending on your situation.

• Vacuum, broom or carpet sweeper
• Commercial cleaning solution
• Spray bottle(s)
• White cotton towel or cloth (one or more)
• Scrub brush
• Vinegar
• Baking soda
• Hot water
• Upright carpet cleaner
• Cleaning solution for carpet cleaner machine
• Plastic sheeting to go under furniture legs
• Oscillating fan(s)

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Vacuum Thoroughly

The best way to clean carpets is to begin with a vacuum.

• Prep the room/area you are planning to clean by moving furniture, cords and other items that may be in the way.
• Use various vacuum attachments to clean carpet edges and around any furniture that cannot be moved.
• Vacuum in two directions, perpendicular to each other for best results.

Tip: A vacuum cleaner with a rotating bristle is best for lifting embedded dirt.

4

Choose the Right Floor Cleaning Solution

As mentioned earlier, there are a variety of carpet cleaning products available. Always read the label and manufacturer guidelines on how to clean carpets using the specific product you selected to ensure that you have chosen the correct product.

Test the product on an area of carpet that is hidden away from plain view rather than on the stain itself to test the carpet’s colorfastness. If you notice any dye changing or if the cleaner stains the carpet, opt for another type.

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Pre-Treat Stains and High Traffic Areas

• Test for colorfastness by spraying spot cleaner in an obscure corner.
• Spray the cleaner on the stain or high-traffic area following the manufacturer’s directions and blot with a clean, white cotton towel. For stubborn areas, gently rub with a scrub brush and then blot with a clean white towel.
• Repeat until stain is gone. Extremely tough stains may require multiple treatments.

Tip: When spot testing, use a clean white cloth so colors do not run onto the treated area.

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Select Cleaner and Begin Steam Cleaning

• Buy or rent a carpet cleaner. Portable carpet cleaners are available from The Home Depot for purchase or for rent and are offered in a variety of options.
• Before you begin, be sure to read the instructions included with any automatic carpet cleaners you choose.
• Using hot water and a small amount of the cleaner you have selected, begin cleaning the carpet using the steam cleaner, moving from front to back slowly.
• The machine is made to push out water as you move forward and pull it back up as you move backward, so be sure to allow the machine to pull up as much water as possible to avoid mold and mildew.

Tip: For large furniture that cannot be moved prior to steam cleaning carpets, place plastic sheeting under the legs to prevent damage.

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How to Clean Carpet With Natural Cleaners

You may not have large areas to clean, or there may not be heavily-soiled portions. If this is the case, using natural cleaning methods may be an option for you.

Using vinegar for carpet cleaning is useful for small areas or stains.

• First, consult the manufacturer’s instructions for any warnings, and then test it on a small area that’s not easy to see.
• If you decide to use vinegar for a recent spill, blot with a white cloth to absorb most of the liquid.
• Combine half a cup of vinegar and one cup of water in a spray bottle and lightly mist the stained portion of the carpet.
• After the solution sits on the stain for 10 to 15 minutes, blot with a white cloth.
• Continue this procedure until the stain has lifted as much as possible. Allow it to air-dry.

You can also try cleaning small areas of your carpet with baking soda and salt to help lift grease and decrease smells.

• Mix equal amounts of salt and baking soda in a separate container.
• Sprinkle the baking soda and salt mixture liberally onto the affected areas.
• Next, use a spray bottle to spray the affected areas with water, being careful to only dampen the carpet.
• Work the baking soda and salt into the carpet fibers using a scrub brush.
• Use a towel or cloth to remove any loosened dirt.
• If any of the mixture remains, you can vacuum it up once it’s dried.

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Vacuum Again and Reorganize Rooms

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Maintaining Clean Carpets for Longer

The most important way to maintain your carpet’s condition is to vacuum it frequently, paying special attention to high-traffic areas. Vacuuming can decrease the amount of dirt that gets ground into the carpet backing, wearing away carpet fibers.

• How often you vacuum will depend on the size of your household and the pets that live with you.
• Keep vacuum cleaners in good condition so it has good suction.
• Consider not wearing shoes in the home or have doormats stationed both inside and outside of each entryway.

Clean spills and new stains as quickly as possible.

• Set-in stains require special treatment. Look for spot removers that treat food stains or deodorizers that remove odors caused by smoke, mildew, food or animal waste.

Carpet cleaners and spot removers come in various forms like foams, ready-to-use sprays or concentrates. Everyone’s idea of how to wash carpet best will differ depending on what they are trying to accomplish. To find the right floor cleaning solution for you, experiment with products until you find the one that works best for you.

• In the long term, the best way to clean carpets includes scheduling regular deep cleanings.