How to Clean Carpet [Helping You Clean All Stain Types]

Published by Hala Zaqqout on February 26, 2023 | Last updated on May 15, 2023

Cleaning carpets can seem like a difficult task. What is the best method and solution for you? How often should you clean carpet? Can any stain be removed from the carpet?

In this CleanersAdvisor article, you’ll find many methods of how to clean carpet properly. Then you can safely choose which one suits you and your carpet the best.

We’ve also covered similar detailed cleaning guides for removing many stains from carpets like how to remove baking soda, wood, bong water, lotion, and vomit stains from carpet, make sure to check them out.

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Why You Need to Know “How to Clean Carpet”?

Keeping a carpeted home clean and stain-free is important not only for cleanliness but also for longevity. Many carpet manufacturers will mention how often you should clean it in their warranty. Otherwise, you risk loosing it if something goes wrong.

Clean carpets should also be your top concern if you or anyone in your family suffers from allergies.

Pollen, animal fur, insect parts, and other microscopic pollen could be hiding in your flooring. These can be found in the air and can also be brought inside your body and shoes.

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How to Clean Carpet?

Whether you want to do routine cleaning or deep cleaning for your carpet, here’re the methods you can use for various stains:

A. Routine Cleaning

1. Get Rid of Dirt and Dust

The best method to clean carpet is to use a vacuum with strong suction and to use it regularly. If you don’t have a vacuum, you can use an old-fashioned broom or a carpet sweeper to clean your carpet.

If you don’t have a vacuum, you can use an old-fashioned broom or a carpet sweeper to clean your carpet.

2. Spot-Clean Stains

When it comes to carpet stains, the best time to treat them is as soon as possible. If there is a liquid spill, blot it up as soon as possible using paper towels or a white cloth.

Use the edge of a credit card or a dull knife to take away more solid mud stains or dropped food. Solids should never be used to rub a stain since they will push it deeper into the fibers.

B. Deep Cleaning

To remove heavy soil, restore the buoyancy of the fibers, and brighten the color, the carpet will eventually need to be deep cleaned. Here’re some methods of how to clean carpet deeply:

1. White Vinegar

– Vacuum and treat any visible stains.

– In a spray bottle, mix one part of distilled white vinegar and three parts of cold water.

– Spray the vinegar solution onto the carpet until it’s very damp.

– To start breaking down the soil, leave the solution on the carpet for five minutes.

– Blot the solution and soil away with a microfiber cloth.

– To rinse the microfiber cloth, have a bucket of clean water ready.

– Allow the carpet to air-dry.

2. Baking Soda and Salt

–  To remove visible stains, vacuum or brush the carpet to remove loose soil, then follow the instructions on a stain removal chart.

– Combine baking soda and salt in a small dish or bucket in a one-to-one mixture. Fill a spray bottle halfway with cold water and set it aside.

– Liberally sprinkle the carpet with the baking soda and salt mixture. After sprinkling, spritz the area with plain water from a spray bottle. Scrub the baking soda into the carpet fibers with a scrub brush.

– After scrubbing, wipe away the loose soil with old towels or rags. It’s fine if some baking soda remains in the fibers. Allow for complete air dry of the carpet.

Remove any remaining baking soda from the fibers with a vacuum. The carpet should have a better smell and a brighter look.

C. Steam Cleaning

A clothes steamer or steam mop that is usually used on hard-surface floors can also be used to thoroughly clean carpet.  Here’s how to clean carpet with steam:

1. Pretreat stained areas by vacuuming the carpet to remove loose soil.

2. Follow the same steps for mixing baking soda and salt. After sprinkling the mixture on the carpet, dampen it with steam rather than cold water.

3. Hold the steamer head about six to twelve inches from the carpet if using a clothes steamer. Allow the steam to soak into the carpet completely. Scrub the damp mixture into the fibers using a scrub brush.

4. If you’re using a steam mop, run over the baking soda mixture on the carpet with the microfiber mop head or a carpet attachment. Clean the area with the scrub brush once more.

5. To absorb the loosened soil, use old towels or microfiber cloths. Allow the carpet to dry completely before vacuuming to remove any remaining residue.

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How to Get Blood Out of Carpet?

You might try scraping the dry stain with a dull knife if you want to make a head start. This will help loosen blood flecks and make them easier to remove. This little trick, however, will not do all of the magic on its own, and you should not try it on expensive carpets.

Mastering How to Clean Carpet means dealing with different stains types, and here’s how to get blood out of carpet:

A. Cold Water

1. Fill a spray bottle halfway with cold water. Repeat the spraying on the wet blood area.

2. Using a cotton cloth, dab it dry. Make sure to blot rather than rub the affected area.

3. Keep repeating these steps until the wet blood is no longer visible. Allow the area to air dry or use a wet vac to dry it.

B. Salt Paste

1. Pour cold water into a bowl. Add in enough salt to create a thin paste.

2. Apply the mixture to the bloodstain. Allow it to sit for about five minutes.

3. Using a cotton towel or rag, blot the stain until it disappears. Avoid rubbing the stained area as this may spread the stain.

C. Dish Soap

1. For a wool carpet, combine 1 tablespoon dish soap and 2 cups cold water in a mixing bowl. Spray the stain with the solution.

2. Using a damp cotton cloth, blot the bloodstain. Rep till the stain has disappeared.

3. Apply cold water to the stained area. Using a dry cotton cloth, blot it dry.

D. Ammonia

1. Combine 1 tablespoon ammonia and half a cup of warm water in a mixing bowl. Using a sponge, apply the solution.

2. Blot the stain with a sponge until it absorbs the liquid.

3. Apply cold water with the sponge. Using a cotton cloth, blot it dry.

E. Hydrogen Peroxide

1. Apply a little amount of hydrogen peroxide to a hidden spot of your carpet to test the area.

2. Check the carpet color after a few minutes. Apply it to the bloodstain if it doesn’t change the color of the carpet.

3. Dip a cotton swab into the hydrogen peroxide to remove the dried blood. It should be applied to the stain until it vanishes.

4. Rinse the area with a wet washcloth after letting it soak for about an hour. Then allow it to completely dry. 

F. Water and Ammonia

1. Mix 2 tablespoons ammonia with a full glass of water to clean synthetic fiber carpets. The ammonia and water solution should be applied on the stain.

2. Allow it to sit for about five minutes. Then dab the area with a clean, damp cotton towel until the bloodstain disappears. This procedure should not be used on wool carpets since it can damage the fabric.

G. Water, Baking Soda, and White Vinegar

1. In a bowl or spray bottle, combine 2 cups warm water, 2 cups white vinegar, and 4 teaspoons baking soda.

2. Mix the ingredients together and apply to the affected area. Let it sit for five minutes.

3. Using a clean, damp cotton cloth, blot the carpet dry. Allow it to air dry. 

You can check Cleaners Advisor article on how to get blood out of carpet with economical and easy methods.

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How to Get Paint Out of Carpet?

Paint, blood, slime and other types of stains are as hard to get out of carpet as you wouldn’t want to admit, but mastering How to Clean Carpet means you’ll have to master dealing with them to maintain a fully clean carpet all the time.

Here’s how to get paint out of carpet:

1. To remove the paint, use the dull edge of a knife or the edge of an old credit card. Using a cloth or paper towel to rub the stain will only push the paint deeper into the carpet fibers.

2. Use a wet paper towel or white rag to blot away the paint that remains on the surface of the carpet until all the paint is gone.

CleanersAdvisor has also provided a detailed guide on how to clean walls with flat paint using the best methods.

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How to Get Slime Out of Carpet?

1. Using a paint scraper or knife, gently scrape any excess slime off the carpet.

2. Make a solution of 2/3 cup distilled white vinegar and 1/3 cup warm water.

3. Scrub the slime from the carpet with a scrubbing brush.

4. Use a clean, dry towel to pat the area dry.

5. You can also use an OxyClean spot treatment solution if the slime has left a colored dye on your carpet.

6. Once the carpet is dry, vacuum the area.

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How to Get Ink Out of Carpet?

Ink isn’t any different than blood, slime, and other stains type, and knowing How to Clean Carpet means dealing with ink as well.

Here’s how to get ink out of carpet for good:

1. Isopropyl alcohol should be used to dampen a clean white cloth before dabbing it on the ink-stained carpet. Avoid rubbing or scrubbing!

Be careful not to rub or scrub! This could cause the ink spot to spread. Allow it to sit for a few minutes before vacuuming up the excess moisture with a liquid-friendly vacuum.

2. It’s possible that you’ll have to use the alcohol to treat the carpet stain once more. Hairsprays, nail paint removers, and other products with high alcohol content also work.

3. Rinse with water after using any of these chemicals, then blot or vacuum dry until the spot is dry.

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How to Get Coffee Stains Out of Carpet?

1. Dry the spot by blotting with a dry white towel.

2. Using the spritzer method, try a mixture of vinegar, water, and a gentle, non-bleach detergent first, then rinse and repeat.

3. Certain types of carpets, such as Polypropylene, can be safely treated with water and bleach for carpet stains.

In a spray bottle, combine 1/4 cup bleach with 1 cup of water and 1/4 cup of water. Soak the carpet stain in the liquid, blot, rinse with warm water, and continue until the stain is gone.

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How to Get Dog Pee Out of Carpet?

Dog pee looks and smells different that you’d ever want, but since you’re mastering How to Clean Carpet, then this section shall make it an easier task for you.

Here’s how to get dog pee out of carpet:

1. If the area is still damp, dab it with a clean cloth to absorb it.

2. Mix one part vinegar with one part water to make a solution. In a container, combine the two together. After that, pour the vinegar solution over the area affected, lightly scrub it, and allow it to dry completely.

3. Apply baking soda to the affected area and leave it to deodorize for 24 hours.

4. Pour one part water, one part hydrogen peroxide, and a small amount of dish detergent over the baking soda, then scrape the stain gently.

5. To remove any remaining substances, vacuum the affected area on your carpet.

If you’re wondering for more economical and easy methods on how to clean dog and cat litter dust from floor using natural methods or the best vacuums. You can also check Cleaners Advisor guide on how to keep carpet clean with dogs.

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How to Clean Carpet FAQ

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To Wrap Up

Carpet takes lots of abuse from shoes, spills, and pets.

When the carpet is not cleaned properly, its odor can get its way into your house. That is you should learn how to clean carpet with the best methods.

If you notice a spill or stain, clean it immediately by following the steps aforementioned. This will keep it from setting.

Want to share tricks on how to clean carpet? Tell Cleaners Advisor in the comments box below. We’d like to hear from you!

Before we leave you to it, here’s a video that’ll help you become a Pro carpet cleaner: