Carpet cleaning: how to do it right
A carpet has to put up with a lot. Daily footprints, dirt from outside, dust and stains build up quickly. Cleaning your carpet regularly not only keeps it looking fresh, it also extends the lifespan of the material. In this article you'll read how to clean your carpet yourself, how to make an old carpet look like new again, when professional help comes in handy and what the costs can be. You'll also find tips for different types of carpet and common stains.
Why carpet cleaning is important
Carpet attracts dirt. Dust settles between the fibres, sand wears down the backing and moisture causes marks. Even when the carpet looks clean, there can be a lot of loose dirt in the material. This affects the quality, causes odours and makes stains harder to remove. By cleaning regularly, your carpet stays in better condition and you prevent stains from soaking in.
How often to clean your carpet
The frequency depends on use, but as a guideline:
- Vacuum your carpet weekly
- A thorough clean every few months
- Act immediately on stains
With intensive use or pets, more frequent cleaning may be needed. A high-pile carpet is also harder to clean, which makes in-between maintenance important.
Cleaning your carpet yourself: the 6-step approach
Want to get the whole carpet fresh and even again, instead of just treating stains? With this step-by-step plan, you'll visibly bring a worn or dull carpet back into good shape.
Step 1: Vacuum the carpet thoroughly
Start by vacuuming slowly and carefully. Work in several directions so you reach all the fibres. This removes sand, hair and dust that would otherwise make your cleaning less effective.
Step 2: Pre-treat stains
Treat existing stains separately first. Dab the spot lightly with moisture and remove as much dirt as possible without rubbing. This prevents stains from getting bigger during the deep clean.
Step 3: Wash the carpet in sections
Work in small sections. Use lukewarm water and a mild carpet cleaning agent. That way you prevent areas from getting too wet or drying unevenly.
Step 4: Extract water and dirt immediately
For the best result, use a device that cleans and extracts at the same time, such as the Achaté Spot Cleaner. It sucks away the water and loosened dirt straight away, so the carpet dries faster and you don't get rings.
Step 5: Restore the fibres
After cleaning, use a soft brush to lift the fibres. Especially with high-pile carpets, this restores the original volume and appearance.
Step 6: Let it air-dry completely
Open the windows or switch on a fan. Only walk on the carpet again once it's completely dry. This prevents flattened spots and new dirt.
Carpet cleaning: costs and choices
Cleaning your carpet yourself is easy when you work in a structured way. The approach is similar to the step-by-step plan, but below you'll find the basic rules that always apply.
- Start by vacuuming the carpet.
- Treat visible stains in a targeted way.
- Wash the carpet with little water.
- Extract the dirt deep from the fibres.
- Let everything dry completely.
Cleaning it yourself is a lot cheaper than hiring a professional. Especially with larger surfaces, the price difference can add up considerably. Professional cleaning is mainly worth it when you have an expensive carpet, the fabric is delicate or the carpet is heavily soiled.
Cleaning stair carpet
Stair carpet gets dirty quickly. It's walked on intensively and dirt easily sinks between the fibres. Clean the stairs step by step: vacuum, loosen stains and then clean carefully with as little water as possible.
The Achaté Spot Cleaner can also be used on stair treads and extracts moisture straight away, so they dry faster.
Cleaning different types of carpet
Not every carpet can be treated the same way. Below you'll read how to safely clean specific materials.
Cleaning a wool carpet
Wool is sensitive to too much water. Dabbing works better than rubbing. Use lukewarm water and a mild agent, and let it dry slowly.
Cleaning a Persian rug
Colours can be sensitive. Always test on an inconspicuous spot and work with minimal amounts of water. For valuable pieces, professional help is wise.
Cleaning a high-pile carpet
High-pile carpets hold dirt deep between the fibres. Brush the fibres open and work in layers while cleaning.
Common carpet stains
Stains in carpet quickly soak into the fibres. Acting immediately prevents them from setting.
Removing a coffee stain from carpet
Dab dry immediately and prevent the coffee from sinking deeper into the fibres. Then lightly moisten the spot with lukewarm water and dab again. For older coffee stains, it helps to repeat this a few times until the colour has faded.
Red wine stain in carpet
Dab, never rub. Red wine soaks in quickly and spreads when you rub. Work from the outside in and then use a mild cleaning agent. Extract excess moisture so no ring is left behind.
Cola stain in carpet
Cola contains sugar that can leave sticky residue. Lightly moisten the spot and dab several times so the sugar dissolves. Then dry the carpet well to prevent stains from appearing after all.
Vomit on carpet
Carefully remove solid bits before you start cleaning. Clean the spot with lukewarm water and dab gently. Ventilate well to reduce odours. With a penetrating smell, a deep clean may be needed.
Cat pee on carpet
Dab up the urine as quickly as possible. Then deep clean to prevent odours. Urine can attach itself to the backing of the carpet, so make sure the spot is completely dry. A device that extracts moisture straight away gives the best result here.
Smelly carpet: causes and solution
A musty smell is often caused by leftover moisture. Clean the carpet again, make sure there's air circulation and let it dry completely.
When to choose professional cleaning
Sometimes professional cleaning is the best choice, but it isn't always necessary. Below you'll find the most important considerations.
Cleaning your carpet yourself
- Suitable for most carpets
- Affordable
- Can be done right away
- Deep cleaning is possible with devices such as the Achaté Spot Cleaner
Professional cleaning
- Handy for delicate materials
- Needed for very heavy soiling
- Costs can run high, especially for large carpets
- Mostly chosen for high-value carpets or ones with sensitive colours
For most households, cleaning it yourself is enough. Professional cleaning only becomes worthwhile when the structure or quality of the carpet is at risk.
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