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How to deep clean carpets at home


How To Deep Clean Carpet: Easy Step-By-Step Guide

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by Allison Verdoorn

updated Sep 7, 2022

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Over time spot cleaning just doesn’t do it. You turn around one day, and your carpets are a shade darker than when you had them installed. Or, you do a great job spot cleaning only to reveal how dirty the rest of the carpeting really is. Here’s a way to give your carpets a deep clean using a few household ingredients, a vacuum, and a steam cleaner.

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What you’ll need: vinegar, salt, baking soda and borax (Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

What You Need

Ingredients: Salt, borax, and white vinegar.

Equipment: A vacuum and a carpet steam cleaner, don’t worry, I explain why we need the heavy equipment below.

Instructions

Start out with good old spot cleaning, then move to the more heavy-duty all-over work.

1. Vacuum. Vacuum like you’ve never vacuumed before: go in 3 different directions and take your time. Get the dust, hair, and particles out of the pile.

2. Mix 1/4 cup salt, 1/4 cup borax, and 1/4 cup vinegar, then apply this paste to deep stains or heavily soiled sections of carpet. Allow the paste to sit on the carpet for several hours until it dries completely, then vacuum it away.

3. Start up the steam cleaner. Why are we using a steam cleaner, you ask? I’ve looked into lots of options, from dry chemical cleaning (vetoed because of the chemicals and what is left in the carpet) to steam cleaning, and have decided that renting a steam machine is the best option because the chemicals are optional. Try to rent a new machine to increase efficiency and do a little pre-cleaning of the machine if it doesn’t come to you pristine.

4. Skip the carpet shampoo. Hot water can get most grime out of your carpet alone; just make sure you’re filling your machine with really hot water.

5. If you have especially soiled carpeting, you can add 1 cup of white vinegar to 2.5 gallons of water for very deep cleaning.

6. Most machines have 2 modes. First, you depress a button and release the hot water and second, you release the button, and it sucks water back up. Spend 3/4 of your time on the second mode. Soak the carpet, then go over it three or four times to dry the carpet as much as possible.

7. Steam clean the carpets a second time. You rented the machine for the day, right? you might as well get your money’s worth and do 2 passes.

8. Let the carpets dry completely. Once they are mostly dry, you can bring furniture back in, but we usually put aluminum foil under the legs to avoid any stain bleeding onto the wet carpets. Then, let them dry all the way before you walk on them to avoid staining them again.

9. Finally, dispose of the water from the machine responsibly. Many places that rent out the machines will take the machine back full to avoid putting the chemicals from your carpet down the drain. Otherwise, call your local water treatment plant to enquire about how to dispose of the wastewater.

(Images: Allison Verdoorn)

How to Clean Carpet the Right Way

By

Mary Marlowe Leverette

Mary Marlowe Leverette

Mary Marlowe Leverette is one of the industry's most highly-regarded housekeeping and fabric care experts, sharing her knowledge on efficient housekeeping, laundry, and textile conservation. She is also a Master Gardener with over 40 years' experience; writing for over 20 years.

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Updated on 07/05/22

Reviewed by

Katie Berry

Reviewed by Katie Berry

Katie Berry is a cleaning expert with 30 years of household management experience and 12 years of writing about cleaning methods and routines for Housewife How-Tos. She is the author of several books about homemaking.

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Fact checked by

Alexandra Kay

Fact checked by Alexandra Kay

Alexandra Kay is a writer, fact-checker, researcher, and editor who checks The Spruce articles for accuracy and adds source citations. Alex frequently writes for b2b and b2c publications. When she isn't writing or fact-checking for print or online articles, Alex is an associate professor of English at a community college.

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The Spruce / Sarah Lee

In This Article

Project Overview

It's essential to keep carpets cleaned since they take so much abuse from shoes, spills, and pets. Frequent vacuuming, spot cleaning, and deeper cleaning can extend the life of any type of carpet. Allowing dust and soil particles to remain on carpet fibers causes them to look dull and retain odors, and it eventually wears out the carpet backing and fibers. Deep cleaning a carpet removes heavier soil, restores the buoyancy of the fibers, and brightens colors.

The 8 Best Cheap Vacuum Cleaners of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

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How Often to Clean Carpet

Whether you have wall-to-wall carpeting or area rugs, regular vacuuming at least once per week is a must—more frequently if you have pets or kids. Spills and stains should be treated as quickly as possible. Consider hiring a professional carpet cleaning company or doing a deeper clean yourself at least twice a year.

Here are steps to take for routine and deep cleaning your carpet and how to clean carpets with difficult stains.

Equipment / Tools

Materials

The Spruce / Sarah Lee

How to Do a Routine Carpet Cleaning

  1. Get Rid of Dust and Dirt

    Using a vacuum with strong suction—and using it often—is the best way to clean carpet. However, if you don't have a vacuum, there are other ways to clean carpet, like an old-fashioned broom or carpet sweeper.

    A few tips for your routine cleaning:

    • For the most thorough vacuum job, 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.
    • Use a lint roller for quick clean-up of crumbs.
    • Run a rubber-edged squeegee over the carpet to collect pet hair.
    • Freshen and brighten carpet with a liberal sprinkling of baking soda every month. Let it sit for an hour or more to absorb oily stains and odors and then vacuum it away.

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

  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. Never use a cloth or napkin that might not be colorfast.

    For more solid mud stains or dropped food, use the edge of a credit card or a dull knife to lift away the solids. NEVER rub a stain with solids, because it will push it deeper into the fibers. After the initial clean-up, follow the recommendations on a stain removal chart to remove specific types of stain.

    Here's a quick reference list of the five most frequent and difficult to remove carpet stains:

    1. Pet accidents
    2. Red wine
    3. Coffee spills
    4. Ink stains
    5. Nail polish

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

Ways to Deep Clean Carpet

For do-it-yourselfers, especially those who have pets or small children that soil carpets frequently, there are home carpet cleaners like the Tineco Carpet One Smart Carpet Cleaner that work well to remove soil and stains using liquid carpet shampoo. Or, you can rent a heavy-duty steam cleaner or hire a professional carpet cleaning service. Using a professional cleaning service is easy but can be costly if your carpet needs frequent cleaning.

With some elbow grease, you can also deep clean area carpets and even wall-to-wall carpeting with some simple products and tools you probably have in your pantry.

Clean With Distilled White Vinegar

  1. Vacuum and Treat Visible Stains

    Always begin any cleaning process by spot cleaning stains and then vacuuming the carpet to remove loose soil, dust, dirt, and debris. If you skip this step, you may just be pushing soil around or driving it deeper into the fibers. Removing some stains like oil, tar, and pet accidents will require special treatment. Consult a stain removal chart for the proper cleaners to remove those stains.

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

  2. Mix a Vinegar and Water Solution

    In a spray bottle, 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.

    Warning

    Before beginning the deep-cleaning process, spray the vinegar solution on the carpet in a hidden location to test the colorfastness of the carpet. Do not use the solution if you see any bleeding or change of color.

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

  3. Apply the Solution, Wait, and Blot

    Working in a small 3-feet x 3-feet area, spray the vinegar solution onto the carpet until it's very damp. Do not saturate. 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.

    Allow the solution to remain on the carpet for five minutes to begin breaking down the soil. 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.

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

  4. Allow the Carpet to Air-Dry

    Open doors and windows to increase the airflow in the room or add oscillating fans to speed drying. 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.

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

Clean With Baking Soda and Salt

  1. Vacuum and Pretreat Stains

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

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

  2. Mix Baking Soda and Salt

    In a small bowl or bucket, mix a one-to-one mixture of baking soda and salt. The salt can be table salt or Kosher salt. Fill a spray bottle with cold water.

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

  3. Sprinkle, Spritz, and Scrub

    Liberally sprinkle the carpet with the baking soda and salt mixture. You may find it easier to work in a grid pattern starting in a corner and working toward an exit.

    After sprinkling, spritz the area with a spray bottle filled with plain water. The carpet should be very damp, but not sopping wet. Use a scrub brush to work the baking soda deeper into the carpet fibers. Go in one direction and then at a 90-degree angle to help lift the soil.

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

  4. Wipe, Dry, and Vacuum

    After scrubbing, 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. The carpet should smell fresher and look brighter.

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

Clean With Steam

If you have a clothes steamer or steam mop that is usually used on hard-surface floors, they can be used to deep clean carpet, as well.

  1. Vacuum and Pretreat Stains

    Vacuum the carpet to remove loose soil and pretreat stained areas.

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

  2. Sprinkle With Baking Soda and Salt and Steam

    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.

    If you are using a clothes steamer, hold the steamer head about six to twelve inches from the carpet. Allow the steam to completely dampen the carpet. Use a scrub brush to work the damp mixture into the fibers.

    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. Again, use the scrub brush to clean the area.

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

  3. Blot, Dry, and Vacuum

    Use old towels or microfiber cloths to absorb the loosened soil. Allow the carpet to dry completely and vacuum to remove any residue remaining in the carpet.

    The Spruce / Sarah Lee

Tips to Keep Carpet Clean Longer

The 9 Best Carpet Cleaners of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

How to effectively clean the carpet at home - articles by the company "Clean Everything"

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Contents

What makes the carpet dirty?

Basic care instructions

How to clean carpets?

Do-It-Yourself Carpet Cleaning at Home

Chemicals and Equipment

Using Vinegar, Baking Soda, and Powder

Citric Acid

Snow Cleaning

Removal of spots using glycerin

Washing powder

peroxide

Tips for cleaning

Carpets from natural and synthetic fibers

Pile cleaning of different colors - what to pay attention to

Dry cleaning from dirt

Conclusion

How to clean the carpet so that it is beautiful and gives comfort to the house? The question is relevant for millions of housewives. In Russia pile coverings are laid:

Do you want to calculate the cost of carpet cleaning? 30% discount for you now!

What makes the carpet dirty?

Dust settles on it, in which the saprophyte mite starts. Its waste products are a powerful allergen. This neighborhood is especially dangerous for young children, allergy sufferers and the elderly. nine0003

The second global problem is spots. They are planted by adults, turning over cups of coffee and glasses of wine. Babies leave them because of leaking diapers. Older children stain the pile with plasticine and brilliant green, glue and felt-tip pens.

The statistics are silent about the damage caused to carpets by pets. The most unpleasant variant of pollution is cat urine with a terrible smell. But carpets get from other pets. From interior decoration, they turn into an object that you want to remove from sight or urgently clean. nine0003

Basic care

Carpets and rugs should be cleaned regularly. In products with a long pile, a large amount of fine dust accumulates. Dust particles live in dust mites, which are responsible for the development of allergies and bronchial asthma. To prevent dust mites from entering your home, follow these cleaning tips:

How to clean carpets?

You can order dry cleaning of carpets with viscose from the company CLEAN VSE. Experienced professionals will restore their beauty and presentability. But, if home conditions suit you more, try cleaning the pile yourself. To do this, you need to know which cleaning suits your rug. Read the information on the back of the product. The manufacturer indicates the permissible types of cleaning there. nine0003

Amateur carpet cleaning is different from professional carpet cleaning. The house does not have special equipment for cleaning them in an organic solvent or wet cleaning. The home option for caring for carpets is a bit like bio-cleaning - manual processing with cleaning products. How to do it, what to pay attention to?

Do-it-yourself carpet cleaning at home

Use the advice of experts from the company CLEAN EVERYTHING! Then you will cope with the dry cleaning of carpets, rugs, carpets faster and with good results. nine0003

Chemicals and equipment

Professional carpet cleaning always starts with dedusting. We recommend that you do not ignore this rule at home. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust from the pile. Then the subsequent treatment with folk remedies or household chemicals will be more effective. With regular care, the coatings retain a decent appearance for a long time. Their owners may not need a carpet dry cleaning service with export.

If there is a steam cleaner in the arsenal of household appliances, then it is much easier to take care of pile products. Steaming in tandem with a good shampoo removes fresh stains and kills microscopic mites. nine0003

You can effectively clean the carpet with shampoo, liquid soap, a solution of household laundry detergent, a spray for pile products. Any agent must be whipped into foam. It has maximum cleaning power. Sponge or soft brush it is applied to the pile, leave for a few minutes. The remaining foam with dissolved dirt is removed with a clean damp cloth. After removing the detergent, the wet coating should be blotted with a dry soft cloth and dried with a hair dryer.

Use of vinegar, soda and powder

A homemade product based on baking soda, powder and vinegar has an excellent cleaning effect. To prepare the solution, pour half a glass of boiling water and 70 ml of acetic acid into a suitable container, add a tablespoon of the food product. Pour one large spoonful of powder into the composition. Mix the mixture well, and then use a sprayer to apply it to the contaminated surface. To clean the carpet, use a cotton cloth. The remains of the cleaning agent from the product are collected with a damp sponge. nine0003

Alternatively, the detergent can be replaced with dishwashing chemicals. The introduction of a liquid detergent solution helps to quickly remove even old stains from the carpet.

Citric acid

Citric acid can be used to remove difficult stains. On a dirty coating, apply a little concentrated solution or freshly squeezed lemon juice. Leave for a couple of hours and then wash off with water. Rinsing helps to effectively unstick the sticky villi.

Snow cleaning

In the cold season, you can clean the carpet and fill the product with the aroma of freshness with the help of snow. To do this, the product is taken out into the street, spread on the ground, and covered with snow from above. Then the snow flakes are swept away, and the carpet is carefully beaten out on both sides. Cleaning is done until the snow stops darkening after being applied to the surface. The carpet is then dried. An important condition for cleaning is the presence of loose snow on the street.

Stain removal with glycerine

All textile flooring gets dirty over time, especially if it is in the living room. If some kind of drink is spilled on the carpet, try to immediately blot the liquid stain with a rag. The remaining dirt is washed off with concentrated soapy water.

Stubborn carpet stains are effectively removed with glycerin. To do this, the organic compound is left for 1-2 hours. Then the product is wiped with a damp cloth.

Washing powder

Washing powder may be used for carpets with synthetic pile. Add a little bulk product to a bowl of hot water. Make sure that the powder granules are completely dissolved. Otherwise, they will penetrate deep into the pile, they will not be cleaned.

Use a sponge to clean the carpet with a ready-made soap solution. After application, the solution is left for a couple of hours. The remains of the product are removed with a cloth, and the product itself is cleaned with a vacuum cleaner.

Peroxide

You can effectively eliminate dirt at home with hydrogen peroxide. This product is best used on light-colored items. Moisten the resulting stain with water, and then fill it with an antiseptic solution (3%) and immediately remove it with a soft brush. If the entire surface of the carpet is dirty, clean off the dirt towards the center. A small spot is treated in one direction, gently smoothing the pile. If necessary, the dirty coating is cleaned with an antiseptic agent several times. nine0003

Cleaning tips

Short-haired items are easy to clean and difficult to damage. Dry and wet cleaning is acceptable. Do not use too hard brush or too much friction. Then the carpet, carpet will be clean, without creases, bald patches. You can clean them with turpentine, vinegar, ammonia.

Long pile is more whimsical. It can be ruined by a too hard brush or excessive rubbing. Foam is best applied with a microfiber cloth. Do this with soft, delicate movements in the direction of the pile. Leave the foam on for 10-15 minutes. Wipe the cover with a clean damp and then dry cloth. It is important to dry the carpet, because mold and fungus can start in a wet product. nine0003

The coating acquires a musty smell, which cannot be removed by amateur means. The company CLEAN VSE offers cleaning of carpets with export to our own workshop. With pleasure we will take care of your worries, having received an order for dry cleaning with export. By the way, shipping there and back is included in the price.

Cleaning carpets made of natural and synthetic fibers

Silk carpets, viscose and handmade wool need the most delicate care. Be careful and careful with old and dilapidated rugs. We generally do not recommend cleaning silk items on your own. They are only suitable for dry cleaning in the workshop. nine0003

They are placed in a special drum into which an organic solvent is fed. Dry the coating in a straightened state on a horizontal surface with good ventilation. You can't do this at home.

Wool rugs are cleaned with a vacuum cleaner and a steam cleaner. You can remove dirt from them with soda, vinegar, starch, salt. Delicate handmade, rare, antique carpets are suitable for dry cleaning or professional bio-cleaning. We would not advise you to risk such valuable items. Entrust the care of them to professionals. nine0003

Synthetic fibers are much easier to care for. Carpets should be vacuumed regularly. Do wet cleaning from time to time. Stains must be removed immediately. To do this, you need to collect the liquid with dry wipes, then clean it with a foam solution, salt, vinegar.

Cleaning pile of different colors - what to look for

Dark pile does not need to be cleaned with flour, starch, soda. Gray plaque and white stains from them cannot be removed even with a powerful vacuum cleaner. Such coatings are best treated with solutions of vinegar, ammonia, carpet shampoos. nine0003

Lemon juice should not be applied to the white pile as it leaves yellow streaks. Salt, baking soda, starch can be used. Special foam products for cleaning carpets are suitable. Pay attention to which fibers the selected shampoo is suitable for!

We have published the main recommendations of the specialists of the company CLEAN EVERYTHING. They are addressed to those who want to clean the carpet themselves. Good luck to you!

Features of dry cleaning from dirt

Product made of natural material must not be wetted. To avoid shrinkage and deformation of the product, the carpet with natural pile is subjected to dry cleaning only. Before dry cleaning, the carpet is vacuumed to remove dust and lift the pile. In the process of cleaning, a cleaning powder is scattered on the surface of the product in an even layer. The product is driven into the pile with a dry cleaning device and left for a while. The remains of the powder are removed with a vacuum cleaner, and the clean pile of the product is smoothed. Use a stain remover to remove stubborn stains. nine0003

Conclusion

Regular dry cleaning of the carpet helps to preserve the aesthetic appearance of the product for a longer time and saves the living space from accumulated dust. The choice of carpet cleaning method at home is determined by the characteristics of the product and personal preferences. As well as the effectiveness of a particular cleaning method in relation to existing contaminants. Folk remedies are safe for health and are cheap. Professional cleaners effectively remove stubborn stains.

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How to quickly clean the carpet at home - articles by the company "Clean Everything"

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2 minutes efforts;

  • by calling the employees of the company CLEAN EVERYTHING.

    • The dry cleaning service in the capital is actively developing. Not everyone enjoys cleaning their homes. Many people hate household chores. Leave them to the professionals! By the way, we have dry-cleaning of carpet with export to our own workshop. Delivery there and back is included in the price. nine0003

    Do you want to calculate the cost of carpet cleaning? 30% discount for you now!

    Choose, order, let your things look great, do not become dust collectors that pollute the air of the apartment. And now our experts will share tips and tricks for quick cleaning of rugs, paths, rugs.

    Many Russians clean carpets themselves. All sorts of improvised means are used. First, it's cheap. Secondly, they are non-toxic and safe for the inhabitants of the house. Thirdly, cleaning technologies are simple. They do not require special equipment, personal protective equipment. nine0003

    So, what is the most common type of amateur carpet cleaning at home?

    Many people use household chemicals, for example, the Vanish carpet series. With preparations for dry and wet pile treatment, you can quickly clean the carpet, remove stains. True, these products contain chlorine. After them, you need to ventilate the room well. nine0003

    Fastest cleaning methods

    Home environments favor simple technology and all-purpose cleaners:

    IMPORTANT! This recipe is suitable for wool, synthetics. Do not use water to clean viscose or silk carpets. nine0003

    Of course, amateur carpet cleaning is inferior in quality to professional carpet cleaning.

    Learn more