How to deep clean a carpet by hand
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.
If your carpet needs a total refresh, discover how to buy the best carpet
How to deep clean a carpet by hand
It is possible to clean your carpet without a machine – all it takes is a little elbow grease.
Follow these simple steps to deep clean a carpet by hand:
1. Start with vacuuming
Not only does this help to remove surface level dirt, it also prevents dirt from being embedded in the carpet fibres during the cleaning process.
Make sure you're using the right attachment, like a crevice tool to reach into corners and along baseboards.
This will help to brighten up your carpet and keep it looking good as new.
If you have pets in your house or you live with people with long hair, consider using a carpet brush in your cleaning routine.
These brushes have stiff, thin bristles designed to penetrate deep into the carpet. They pull up hair that has been scrubbed into the carpet over time.
2. Tackle any stains
Then you need to remove any visible stains or spots.
Start by trying something gentle – mix a little laundry detergent with some water and gently blot the stain.
If that doesn't work, try a carpet cleaner with a little more power.
3. Freshen up the whole carpet
Once you've removed the stains, freshen up the entire carpet by sprinkling it with baking soda (also known as bicarbonate of soda).
Baking soda is a natural deodoriser and can help absorb odours trapped in the carpet fibres. Let the it sit on the carpet for at least 15 minutes, or longer for stronger odours.
4. One last vacuum
Once your carpet is smelling fresh, give it one last going over with the vacuum.
This will pick up the baking soda and any dust or grime from the cleaning process.
Plus, it will leave your carpet looking neat and tidy.
5. Let it dry
If your carpet is damp in patches after cleaning, it's important to dry it as quickly as possible so that it doesn't develop the smell of mildew.
Ideally, you should turn on your heating and open the windows. But if that isn't an option, maximise ventilation by keeping doors open.
Don't be tempted to use a space heater or hairdryer, as this could burn the carpet.
Can I clean my carpet without a vacuum?
Yes, you can clean your carpet without a vacuum. Try these options:
- Use a broom to remove surface-level dirt from your carpet. The stiffer the bristles, the better it will clean.
- Use a carpet brush to pull hair and grime from deep in the fibres of your carpet.
- Try a leave-on cleaner: Once you've brushed your carpet, use a carpet cleaner that doesn't need to be cleaned off after use.
Best 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.
It’s a good idea to keep some carpet shampoo in the cupboard, rather than needing to dash out to buy some when there's a spill (and hence giving the stain more time to bed in).
If you're wondering whether to stock up on Dr Beckmann, The Pink Stuff or Vanish, discover the best carpet stain removers according to our tests.
For bigger jobs, you can rent carpet cleaners from some high street DIY stores, tool hire shops, dry cleaners and supermarkets.
How to clean a carpet with vinegar and baking soda
White vinegar and baking soda are both great, natural deodorizers and stain removers for your carpet.
But remember, one's acid and the other's alkaline - so they'll cancel each other out if you use them at the same time.
To clean your carpet with baking soda and white vinegar, first sprinkle baking soda over the carpet, let it sit, and then vacuum it up.
Then create a cleaning solution by mixing equal parts of white vinegar and water.
Spritz lightly over your carpet and allow to dry completely.
How to remove bad smells from your carpet
If you've tried natural options and standard cleaning products, but your carpet still smells bad, there are other options – but they're pricier.
Enzyme carpet cleaners use natural bacteria and enzymes to break down organic odours and stop them smelling. They can be highly effective, but only on organic matter such as urine, vomit and pet accidents.
You can also consider renting a machine cleaner – carpet cleaners, steam cleaners, and even ozone cleaners can all be effective (ozone reacts with contaminants to break them down, leaving only oxygen behind). Just ensure you spot test where possible, and read the instructions carefully.
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
How to clean tough 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 laundry 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, rather than 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 fibres.
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 fibres 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.
Find out what happened when we tried home remedies like washing-up liquid and baking soda for tackling stains like red wine, curry and ketchup
How to steam clean your carpet
If you've tried deep cleaning your carpet by hand and it's still looking worse for wear, steam cleaning is a great way to freshen it up without resorting to professional cleaning.
It's also completely natural as it doesn't use harsh chemicals.
Before starting to steam clean, you'll need to run through a few steps:
- Check your care label Make sure it's OK to get the carpet wet
- Vacuum and treat any stains Use the relevant instructions above to pre-treat the carpet
- Patch test your steam cleaner Run the cleaner over a small area and allow to dry – this will ensure the carpet won't be damaged by steam cleaning.
Once you've done that, gently run the steam cleaner across the fabric, working in sections to prevent streaks.
You can hold the cleaner over stubborn marks for a few extra seconds to help lift stains.
Once you're done, allow the carpet to dry by ventilating (and possibly heating) your room.
If you need to buy a steam cleaner, see our guide to the best steam cleaners for our Best Buy and Great Value recommendations
When to call a professional carpet cleaner
If you've tried all the above options, and your carpet still has stubborn stains or smells, it might be time to call in a professional.
In fact, if your carpet is very soiled, this might be a better option from the outset – you can easily spend a lot of money on cleaners and machines to avoid the cost of a professional, only to find you end up spending more in the long-term.
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.
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 make stain removal easier in the future.
Carpet cleaning FAQs
What's 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 look 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's damp.
You can also consider running a dehumidifier in the room to help remove any moisture from the air.
What's the best homemade carpet cleaning solution?
For a natural cleaning solution, try mixing 1 part white vinegar with 2 parts warm (not hot) water. Baking soda is another good stain remover and odour neutraliser, so if you don't like the smell of vinegar, use baking soda mixed with warm water instead.
If you want a cleaner that will leave your carpet smelling nice, consider mixing a small amount of laundry detergent with warm water. Gently massage this into your carpet and leave to dry totally.
As with any cleaner, make sure you spot test your solution in a small, discreet area before use.