How To Clean Your Own Carpet

Clean Carpets at Home Like a Pro

So your carpets are looking a little worse for wear. Faded colors, mysterious stains of unknown origin, matted traffic areas – it happens to every type of carpet eventually. Replacing them can be expensive, but with some simple cleaning tricks and basic equipment, you can get carpets clean and fresh again without breaking the bank.

Here’s an overview of what’s involved in DIY carpet cleaning:

Task	Time to Complete	Prep Time	Cost	Difficulty
Regular Vacuuming	30-60 min/room	Minimal	Low	Easy
Stain treatment	Varies	None	Low	Easy
Deep cleaning	2+ hours/room	30+ min/room	Medium	Moderate

What You Will Need

Equipment

Vacuum cleaner
Carpet rake
Bucket for solutions
Scrub brush or cleaning wand
Clean towels or microfiber cloths
Spray bottle

Cleaning Solutions

Carpet shampoo
White Vinegar or ammonia (for stain treatment)
Baking Soda
Enzyme cleaner (for pet stains/odors)

Be sure to have gloves and eye protection when working with chemicals.

It’s also a good idea to do a colorfast test on your carpet in an inconspicuous area before cleaning. Dab a small amount of diluted cleaner onto the surface and dab it with a white cloth. If any color transfers to it, your carpet dye may not be set, and cleaning may remove more colour. Consider calling a professional carpet cleaner if you notice significant color transfer.

How to Deep Clean Carpets Yourself

Follow these steps for a thorough DIY process:

1. Vacuum Thoroughly

Use your vacuum to clean all traffic areas, under furniture, and along baseboards and edges. This will lift up loose debris to improve cleaning results.

2. Pre-Treat Stains and Heavy Soil Particles

Use a rake or cleaning wand to work stain remover or shampoo into heavily soiled areas and dried stains. Allow it to soak for 5-10 minutes.

3. Fill Bucket with Carpet Cleaner

Mix carpet cleaning solution with hot water per label instructions. Two gallons of warm water mixed with steam cleaner is usually sufficient for one average-sized room.

4. Scrub the Entire Carpet

Dip your scrub brush into the solution and work over small sections of carpet fiber using overlapping strokes. Cover the entire surface area, not just high traffic routes.

5. Rinse & Absorb

Use clean cloth to absorb as much residues from the carpet fibres as possible. Press down firmly to extract liquids rather than simply blotting. Fans and open windows can help speed drying time.

6. Allow to Dry Completely

It’s crucial to keep pets, kids, and furniture off the wet carpet while it dries. This can take 4-12 hours. Place cans or plastic lids under furniture legs so metal does not rust.

Removing Carpet Stains

For stubborn stains, time is of the essence! Follow these steps as soon as the spillage happens:

Blot Excess: Absorb liquid spill immediately with a clean paper towels. Don’t scrub, which can spread the stain.
Pre-treat the Stain: Apply a few drops of vinegar solution directly onto the stained area. Let it soak in for 5+ minutes.
Spot Cleaning: Firmly blot lift the stain, cover with a damp towel, press down, and repeat until you see no more transfer onto the clothing.
Rinse Completely: Use a white towel dipped in clean water to remove any soap residue that could attract dirt and dust over time.
Allow to dry: Keep furniture legs lifted and use fans to speed dry time.

Final Carpet Cleaning Tips

Once carpets are dry, vacuum again to lift flattened piles back up.
For high traffic areas, consider using rug pads under furniture legs.
Professionally steam clean carpets every 12-18 months to keep them fresh.
Deal with all types of stains right away to prevent setting.
Rotate area rugs every few months to prevent uneven wear patterns forming.

With some handy cleaning products and a little elbow grease, you can get great results from DIY. Just be patient in allowing proper dry times. And for wall carpets with extensive staining or wear, call on the pros for deep steam extraction services.

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