You probably vacuum your floors regularly, but when did you last clean your carpet? If you’re anything like most people, every so often you internally grumble about its dull colors and that one stain that’s lingered for months. You promise yourself you’ll get to it next weekend, but you don’t, because you get busy and cleaning a carpet seems like a whole production — and honestly, a little intimidating.
As those grossly satisfying carpet cleaning videos on TikTok prove, carpets and rugs can collect a lot of grime. But giving them a refresh is not as involved as you’d think. It might surprise you to learn that cleaning a carpet takes only four steps, and you don’t need much in terms of supplies and equipment, so you can finally knock this task off your to-do list.
How to clean your carpet like a pro
Your cleaning tools:
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A stain remover
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A steam cleaner and/or carpet shampooer
Step 1: Vacuum
Before you even think about whipping out the stain remover or steamer, you need to deal with any loose dirt and debris. For this, you’ll need a plug-in vacuum with strong suction, like an upright or canister vacuum or a vacuum designed for tackling pet hair. Remove whatever furniture you can, because dust bunnies tend to gather underneath the feet of chairs and tables. Then, vacuum slowly, overlapping your passes for a thorough job.
Step 2: Spot clean
Now that your carpet is debris-free, it’s time to tackle any stains. Act fast when a spill happens; it’s easier to treat a stain when it’s fresh. Spot cleaning carpet without a machine is easy — all you need is a mild detergent or carpet spot cleaner. First, test it on a small corner of the carpet to ensure it isn’t too harsh for the fibers. Following the bottle’s directions, apply it to the stain and then gently blot — avoid rubbing, which can spread the stain, push it deeper into the carpet fibers, and even damage them. If you want to go more high-tech, use a portable carpet and upholstery spot cleaner like the popular Bissell Little Green (which our Home & Garden Writer, Kristin Granero, enthusiastically endorses). Once the stain fades or disappears, it’s time for a deep clean.
Step 3: Deep clean
Pull out your steam cleaner (Granero recommends the Bissell CrossWave HydroSteam Wet/Dry Vacuum) or carpet shampooer for this part. Ensure that you follow the appliance’s instructions. Some may require cleaning solutions that must be purchased separately.
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A steam cleaner like the Bissell is a great option for those who don’t want to use heavy chemicals to clean their carpets. It will remove dirt, but you’ll want to invest in a carpet shampooer if your carpet is heavily soiled. This type of heavy-duty tool uses a special cleaning solution along with a powerful rotating brush to break down the bonds between dirt and carpet fibers.
Step 4: Let it dry
After you’ve run your steamer or carpet shampooer over your rug, it’s time to kick back and wait. Letting it dry is the lengthiest part of the carpet cleaning process. You shouldn’t walk over your rug while it’s still wet because it could damage it. Open the windows and put box or tower fans in the room to help accelerate drying. Carpets can become moldy or mildewy if they don’t dry properly. A carpet shampooer with a dryer setting will help speed things up.
What should you do if your DIY cleaning didn’t work?
Sometimes, reviving an old or heavily stained carpet can be difficult. In that case, you’ll need to call in a professional carpet cleaner. Give your local cleaner a call and explain the situation. They’ll advise whether they think they can restore your rug or not.
If even a professional cleaning doesn’t do the trick, it might be time to put your floor covering out to pasture. When shopping for new carpet, look for durable, stain-resistant fibers like nylon and polypropylene. If it’s just a rug you’re replacing, you may want to consider indoor/outdoor rugs, which are generally tough-wearing and easy to clean. These days, many feel just as soft underfoot as indoor-only options.
