Here's How to Actually Get Your Carpet Clean (and Keep It That Way) (2024)

Equipment / Tools

Materials

1. Start With a Thorough Vacuum

   Always start with a vacuum with strong suction. However, if you don't have a vacuum, there are other ways to clean carpet, like an old-fashioned broom, carpet rake, or carpet sweeper.

   For the most thorough carpet vacuuming, take the time to move furniture and any other items from the carpet. Set the vacuum to the proper height for your type of carpet to get the strongest suction.

   Vacuum slowly and go over high-traffic areas several times for the best results. Run a rubber-edged squeegee over the carpet to collect pet hair.

   

2. Spot-Clean Stains

   The best time to treat a carpet stain is as quickly as possible. For liquid spills, immediately blot away the moisture with paper towels or a white cloth. Apply a carpet stain remover to start treating the stain fast.

   For more solid mud stains or dropped food, use the edge of a credit card or a dull knife to lift away the solids. After the initial clean-up, follow the recommendations on our stain removal chart to remove specific types of stain.

   

How to Clean Carpet With Vinegar

1. Mix one part of distilled white vinegar and three parts of cold water. You will need to refill the bottle several times if cleaning a wall-to-wall carpet.
2. Dampen the carpet. Working in a small 3-feet x 3-feet area, spray the vinegar solution onto the carpet until it's very damp. Follow a grid so you'll know where you have cleaned. If you are cleaning an area rug, take extra precautions to protect the floor beneath the rug from moisture damage.
3. Let the solution soak. Allow the solution to remain on the carpet for five minutes to begin breaking down the soil.
4. Blot the solution. Use a microfiber cloth to blot away the solution and the soil. Have a bucket of clean water ready to rinse the microfiber cloth. Change the water frequently as it becomes soiled.
5. Increase drying speed by getting some air into the room. Open doors and windows to increase the airflow in the room or add oscillating fans. Do not allow traffic on the carpet until it is fully dry. If you must use the room while the carpet is damp, place plastic sheeting or tarps on the traffic pathways to prevent staining.

How to Clean Carpet with Baking Soda and Salt

Vacuum the carpet to remove loose soil and then follow the recommendations on a stain removal chart to remove visible stains.

1. Mix a one-to-one mixture of baking soda and salt. The salt can be table salt or Kosher salt, and fill a spray bottle with cold water.
2. Liberally sprinkle the carpet with the mixture. You may find it easier to work in a grid pattern starting in a corner and working toward an exit.
3. Spritz the area with a spray bottle filled with plain water. The carpet should be very damp, but not sopping wet.
4. Use a scrub brush to work the baking soda into the fibers. Go in one direction and then at a 90-degree angle to help lift the soil.
5. Use old towels or rags to wipe away the loosened soil. It is fine to leave a bit of baking soda in the fibers. Allow the carpet to air-dry completely. Use a vacuum to remove any remaining baking soda left in the fibers.

How to Steam-Clean Carpet

If you have a clothes steamer or steam mop that is usually used on hard-surface floors, it can be used to clean carpet after you have vacuumed and pretreated stains.

1. Follow the same steps for mixing baking soda and salt. Sprinkle the carpet with the mixture and then use steam, instead of cold water, to dampen the mixture.
2. Begin steaming the carpet. If you are using a clothes steamer, hold the steamer head about six to twelve inches from the carpet. If you are using a steam mop, use the microfiber mop head or a carpet attachment to go over the baking soda mixture on the carpet.
3. Allow the steam to completely dampen the carpet. Use a scrub brush to work the damp mixture into the fibers.
4. Use old towels or microfiber cloths to absorb the loosened soil. Allow the carpet to dry completely and vacuum any residue remaining in the carpet.

Additional Tips to Keep Carpet Clean Longer

• Place doormats outside and inside all entrance doors to trap soil.
• Remove shoes at the door to prevent tracking in dirt.
• Vacuum several times per week, and treat stains immediately.
• Change or clean HVAC filters to trap dust particles circulating in the air before they land on the carpet.
• Keep your vacuum well-maintained and clean so it will function properly.
• If you have pets, brush and bathe them frequently to protect carpets.