How to clean a carpet
Carpet is warmer and cosier than wooden flooring, but it can take a bit more effort to keep clean.
Dirt, dust, hair and other debris can collect among the fibres and ruin the appearance of your carpet – and turn it into a hotbed of bacteria.
Read on for our advice on the best ways to maintain your carpet and expert tips for banishing stains.
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Carpet cleaning tips
To keep your carpet looking good, vacuum it regularly. Make sure you're using the correct settings as using the wrong ones can mean you're wasting your efforts or even damaging your carpet. Read how to vacuum your home effectively for further advice.
Remember that dirt isn’t always visible. Rather than waiting until your carpet looks dirty, stick to a schedule of vacuuming once or twice a week. Regular vacuuming will also help keep your carpet tufts upright.
If you have carpet in high traffic areas such as hallways, or if you have children or allergies, you should vacuum even more regularly to keep dirt from building up.
If you have pets, the best cordless vacuums for pet hair will clean up after your furry friends in no time.
Discover our best vacuum cleaners and best cordless vacuum cleaners to help keep your carpets spotless
How to clean a carpet by hand
It is possible to clean your carpet without a machine – all it takes is a little elbow grease.
Always start with vacuuming to prevent dirt from being embedded in the carpet fibers during the cleaning process. Make sure you are using the right attachment, like a crevice tool to reach into corners and along baseboards.
Then tackle any visible stains or spots. You can use a carpet stain remover, or try a homemade solution. It all depends on the type of stain you're working on – skip ahead to How to clean carpet stains for advice on tackling blood, wax and more.
Once you've removed the stains, freshen up the entire carpet by sprinkling it with baking soda. Baking soda is a natural deodoriser and can help absorb odors trapped in the carpet fibers. Let the it sit on the carpet for at least 15 minutes, or longer for stronger odors, then vacuum it up thoroughly.
This final step leaves your carpet smelling fresh and clean.
Carpet cleaning products
Even with regular vacuuming, grime can collect in the fibres and leave your carpet looking dull and smelling musty. A good quality carpet cleaner can help to restore it to its original glory.
You can rent carpet cleaners from some high street DIY stores, tool hire shops, dry cleaners and supermarkets. See our guide to the best carpet cleaners to find out how popular models such as the Rug Doctor and Vax performed in our tests
It’s a good idea to keep some carpet shampoo in the cupboard, rather than dashing out to buy some when there's a spill. Our best carpet stain removers guide reveals which ones came top in our tests. We've also tried out home remedies for tackling stains like red wine, curry and ketchup.
How to clean carpet stains
Follow these tips for the best chance of preventing or removing a stain:
- Act quickly to improve the chance of removing it
- Carefully scrape, remove and blot away as much of the spill as you can
- Work the stain from the outside in to avoid spreading
- Test your cleaning product on an inconspicuous area of your carpet before use to make sure it won’t damage or discolour the material
- Avoid using a lot of water, or hot water, as this can make some stains worse and even lead to it soaking into the carpet
- Don’t rub the stain too aggressively, as this can damage the carpet fibres.
How to get blood out of carpet
For tough stains like blood, the experts we spoke to said it will depend on what the carpet is made from. If the carpet is wool or a wool blend, stick to mild detergent and water.
For other materials, you may be able to use methylated spirits or ammonia mixed with water, but check with the manufacturer first.
How to get paint out of carpet
Removing paint from carpet can be a challenging task.
Water-based paints can be cleaned using mild detergent and warm water. Mix them together and gently dab the stain with a sponge or cloth. Then blot the area with a clean cloth to dry.
Oil-based paints are more difficult to remove because they're not broken down by water. Use a solvent like mineral spirits or paint thinner to lift the paint, but use it as sparingly as possible and dab, don't scrub, so as not to damage the carpet.
If the paint stain persists or you'd rather not use solvents on your carpet, consider seeking professional carpet cleaning services. Professional cleaners have specialised equipment and expertise to safely and effectively remove tough stains without causing damage to the carpet fibers.
Always test any cleaning solution in a small, inconspicuous area of the carpet before applying it to the stained area. Additionally, avoid using heat or steam to remove paint from carpet, as this can set the stain and make it more difficult to remove.
How to get wax out of carpet
If you get candle wax on your carpet, remove the excess material by scraping it off. Cover the residue with a white cotton towel or brown paper.
Then apply a warm iron until the residue is absorbed. Don't apply the iron directly to the carpet.
Change or rotate the towel or brown paper and repeat the procedure until all the wax has been absorbed.
How to get nail polish out of carpet
Perhaps unsurprisingly, nail varnish remover that contains acetone is your best friend for cleaning nail varnish out of carpets.
Follow these steps to remove the polish:
- Blot up the excess using a clean, dry cloth
- Dampen a clean cloth or cotton ball with a nail polish remover that contains acetone. Test the nail polish remover in an inconspicuous area of the carpet to ensure it doesn't cause any damage or discoloration. Then, gently dab the stained area with the nail polish remover, working from the outside of the stain toward the center to prevent spreading.
- Use a clean cloth or paper towel to blot up the dissolved nail polish, switching to a fresh cloth as needed.
- Once you've removed as much nail varnish as possible, dab the area with cold water to dilute any remaining nail polish remover and residual staining. Blot again to absorb the water and remaining nail polish residue.
- Finally, allow the carpet to air dry completely. Once dry, use a vacuum cleaner to fluff up the carpet fibers and restore its appearance. If any traces of the nail varnish stain remain, you may need to repeat the process or consider seeking professional carpet cleaning services.
If your carpet needs a total refresh, discover how to buy the best carpet
How to get rid of carpet beetles and moths
If you find threadbare patches in your carpet, you might have carpet moths or beetles.
Signs tend to appear near windows and doors as this is how they get in, and they will typically start by attacking the edges of your carpet, as these are low-traffic areas where they're not disturbed.
Prevention is always better than cure, so vacuum regularly and carefully. Ensure you are reaching underneath your furniture, as this is where any carpet moth larvae will be.
Some people chose to use cedar oil, sachets, or blocks to repel carpet moths naturally. However, to kill the adult bugs, you will need to use traps, smoke bombs or insecticide sprays, or a combination of all three.
If you have a serious infestation, you might need to call in professionals – or get rid of the carpet altogether. Use Which? Trusted Traders to find a reliable pest control expert near you.
For more pest control advice, read how to get rid of bedbugs
Carpet cleaning FAQs
What is the most stain resistant carpet type?
Synthetic fabrics are widely considered to be more stain-resistant than natural fibres. Fabrics with a tighter weave will also keep looking newer for longer.
In the event of a stain, you can also use stronger cleaning solutions on synthetic fabrics.
Nylon is one of the most stain-resistant synthetic materials. Look for options with stain treatments, like Scotchgard, which improve their ability to repel liquids and dirt.
How do you prevent carpet odour after cleaning?
The most common cause of carpet odour after cleaning is damp, which develops when the carpet isn't able to dry fully.
Ensure that you leave windows open and use fans to help your carpet dry, and avoid walking on the carpet while it is damp.
You can also consider running a dehumidifier in the room to help remove any moisture from the air.
How do you deep clean carpet?
The best way to deep clean a carpet is with a carpet cleaner, or by hiring a professional.
If this isn't an option, you can make a carpet cleaner with white vinegar and water, and scrub the carpet by hand.
Once you have cleaned your carpet, remove any stains using the steps above.
Finding a professional carpet cleaner
Use Which? Trusted Traders to find a reliable carpet cleaning service near you. Every company that we endorse has been vetted in our rigorous assessment process, and we make sure that they comply with our strict requirements and code of conduct.
Don't forget to ask how you should prepare your home so that the job can be done quickly. If the company has to move furniture for you, that may add to the cost. Also ask how long they anticipate you'll need to wait before moving the furniture back.
You could also ask for a ‘stain guard’ treatment to be applied – it makes removing stains in future far easier.