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. 

One in seven of those we surveyed* said they had been unable to remove certain stains from their carpet.

Read on for our advice on the best ways to maintain your carpet and expert tips for banishing stains. 

If all your cleaning efforts have failed and it's simply time for a new carpet, discover the best carpet retailers.

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Carpet cleaning tips

To keep your carpet looking good, vacuum cleaner 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, as these are the areas likely to be dirtiest. 

If you have pets, you might find pet hair all over the house. The best cordless vacuums for pet hair will clean up after your furry friends in no time. 

A doormat at the entrance will help to trap dirt and moisture, but make sure to clean it regularly. And don't wear shoes around the house, or all your efforts to keep your carpet clean will be in vain. 

Which? members can read all our vacuum cleaner reviews and use the filters to find models with high scores for carpet cleaning

How to get dirt out of carpets

Even with regular vacuuming, after many months of use 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. Read our carpet cleaner reviews to find out how popular rental models such as the Rug Doctor and Vax performed in our tests.

If you have a lot of carpets or you need to clean them regularly because you have pets, young children or you’re a smoker, you might want to invest in your own carpet cleaner. Read our guide to the  best carpet cleaners to get the right model for you.

How can I clean my carpet at home without a machine?

It is possible to clean your carpet at home – all it takes is a little elbow grease. 

Always start with vacuuming – this is crucial 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 (more on how to tackle certain stains below). 

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. 

How to clean carpet stains

Stains were the most common problem experienced by the carpet owners we surveyed.

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 also quizzed Which? Trusted Traders about the best way to tackle stains. Our carpet experts recommended that you should:

• 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 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 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: 

1. Blot up the excess using a clean, dry cloth
2. 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.
3. Use a clean cloth or paper towel to blot up the dissolved nail polish, switching to a fresh cloth as needed.
4. 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.
5. 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.

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 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. 

Discover the best carpet cleaner home remedies for red wine, curry and ketchup.

How to get rid of carpet moths

If you find threadbare patches in your carpet, this may be due to carpet moths. 

Moths will typically start by attacking the edges of your carpet, as these are the areas with least traffic, so make sure you keep your eyes peeled. 

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. 

If you have an infestation, keep vacuuming regularly, as this will catch their eggs and larvae. To kill the moths, you will need to use moth traps, smoke bombs or insecticide sprays – or a combination of all three. 

How to get rid of carpet beetles

These little invaders can also cause mayhem to your textiles. Look out for infestation signs such as patches in your carpet. 

Usually, signs appear near windows and doors as this is how they normally get in. 

Once again, cleaning and vacuuming regularly is key. Make sure to use the correct attachments to reach all the nooks and crevices. 

Spraying vinegar is also recommended but, again, try an inconspicuous area and always check your carpet's manufacturer guide.

There are also plenty of insecticides you can use.

Read how to get rid of bedbugs

Professional carpet cleaning

If your own efforts to shift carpet stains have failed, it might be time to call in the professionals. Some carpet cleaning companies will also have a special service for exterminating carpet moths or carpet beetles. 

Finding a professional carpet cleaner

Look for carpet cleaners near you that are registered with professional organisations. 

Search our directory at Which? Trusted Traders. 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. 

If you can't get hold of a Trusted Trader near you, the National Carpet Cleaners Association also has listings. 

Getting quotes for professional carpet cleaning

Before you agree to hire a professional service, work out how much of your home needs to be cleaned and discuss your requirements with the company.

If your carpets are all in good condition apart from one stain or spillage, your cleaner may be able to just deal with the stain and blend in the surrounding area for a cheaper fee than a full service.

It's likely that the call-out charge will make up a significant proportion of the total job cost. If that's the case, it may be better value to get several rooms cleaned at once. 

Some cleaners offer discounts to customers who use them regularly, as it’s easier to clean carpets that have been well looked after. So you may be able to negotiate a reduction on future services.

If you can, get quotes from at least three companies before choosing which one to use.

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. 

When you buy a new carpet or have one professionally cleaned, ask for a ‘stain guard’ treatment to be applied – it makes removing stains in future far easier.

Your rights and responsibilities towards your carpet when renting 

Many landlords prefer to change the carpet at the end of a long tenancy, but they are only required to change them if the carpets are unsafe.

If you're renting and the carpet is badly damaged or stained at the end of a tenancy, the landlord may be able to charge you for a deep clean, repairs, or replacement. However, if it is normal wear and tear the landlord can't charge the tenant for this.

That's why it's important to have a proper inventory with plenty of pictures when moving into a rental property.

Some rental contracts also require you to have carpets professionally cleaned when you move out at the end of your tenancy. If that's the case, try to arrange to remove your belongings in advance, so that the clean is quicker and cheaper.

*In November 2021 we asked 6,381 carpet owners about their experiences with carpet in the past five years