How to Wash Carpet by Hand: Deep Cleaning & Spot Cleaning

There are few things more luxurious than a soft and fluffy carpet, but it’s bound to get dirty now and then. Luckily, it’s easy to clean a carpet by hand without having to pay professionals. In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know to deep-clean, spot-clean, and maintain a carpet so it looks brand new. Plus, learn how to clean certain types of carpet, like shag or carpeted stairs, when to call a professional, and answers to other common questions about cleaning carpet.

How to Wash Carpet by Hand

Pull up dirt by sweeping the carpet with a carpet broom.
Vacuum up any loose dirt and debris.
Apply a cleaning solution like carpet shampoo, vinegar and water, or baking soda.
Rinse the carpet with a clean, damp cloth or sponge.
Let the carpet dry completely, then vacuum again.

Section 1 of 9:

Deep-Cleaning Carpet by Hand

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Agitate the carpet with a carpet broom. Carpet brooms (or carpet rakes) have stiff rubber heads and bristles that help loosen dust and debris while fluffing the carpet and restoring its nap and texture. If you don’t have a carpet broom, sweep the carpet with a regular broom and dustpan.^{[1]
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- If you have a lot of furniture on the carpet, now is also the time to move everything out of the way so you can clean properly.
2
Vacuum the carpet. Use a vacuum cleaner to pick up loose dirt, dust, and debris. This will make it easier to get to the caked-in dirt and should ideally be performed twice a week to keep your carpet looking fresh. If the carpet is too delicate to vacuum, continue using your carpet broom to sweep up as much dirt as possible.^{[2]
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- Cleaning expert Ashley Matuska recommends Ricar brand vacuums: “They’re kind of pricey, but they’ll last…. The companies that sell them are great about being able to fix any little piece that’s wrong. If something in the motor or the head breaks, you don’t have to replace half the vacuum. You can just replace that one little part. I think Ricars are definitely my favorite.”
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Prepare and apply your cleaning solution. There are several products you can use to clean a carpet, including commercial carpet cleaners and DIY solutions. Whatever you choose, test it in an inconspicuous area to make sure it doesn’t damage your carpet. Then, scrub the solution into the carpet with a scrub brush or sponge, working in small areas at a time. Scrub in all directions to ensure the mixture really gets into the fibers. Here are some popular cleaning solutions to try:^{[3]
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- Carpet shampoo: Put a few drops of carpet shampoo in a spray bottle and fill the rest with warm water. Lightly mist the carpet and use your brush or sponge to deep clean the fibers.
- Baking soda and salt: Combine equal parts baking soda and salt in a bowl, and evenly spread the mixture out over your carpet. Mist the carpet with cold water, then scrub the baking soda solution into the fibers with a carpet brush.
- Vinegar and water: Mix equal parts of vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto the carpet and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, scrub the carpet with your brush.
- Dish soap and water: Fill a bowl or bucket with warm water and add a few drops of dish soap. Dip your brush or sponge into the solution, wring it out, and scrub the carpet.
- Be careful not to completely soak or saturate the carpet when applying the solution. Excess moisture can lead to mold.
- Check the carpet’s manufacturer label to see what material it’s made from. Certain fabrics, like wool, are sensitive to cleaning solutions while others, like nylon, can withstand stronger cleaners.
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Rinse and dry the carpet. Use a clean, damp cloth to rinse the cleaning solution from your carpet. Then, blot up as much water as possible with a clean, dry cloth or towel. Open your windows and/or turn on a fan to air dry the carpet. It’s important to dry the carpet thoroughly so mold doesn’t grow.^{[4]
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- Using a dehumidifier can also help your carpet dry more quickly.
- Don’t walk on the carpet until it’s completely dry.
Let the carpet dry completely, then vacuum the entire area again. This will pick up any loose dirt or debris that remains, and it will help lift the carpet’s fibers, making it look fresh and clean.^{[5]
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Section 2 of 9:

Spot-Cleaning Carpet by Hand

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Use detergent on water-soluble stains. Combine ¹⁄₄ tsp (1.2 mL) of non-bleach laundry detergent and 4 c (950 mL) of water. Blot the solution onto the stain with a clean white towel until the stain lifts. Then, rinse the area with warm water and use a clean, dry towel or cloth to blot up the excess moisture.^{[6]
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Research source} This will remove most carpet stains, including coffee, tea, mud, alcoholic beverages, and washable ink.
- Be sure to blot rather than rub so you don’t spread the stain.
Dish soap is a gentle detergent designed to dissolve greasy substances.^{[7]
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Clean stubborn stains with club soda. Club soda’s bubbling and fizzing action can help loosen dirt and debris from your carpet. Apply the club soda (or seltzer) to a clean, dry rag, saturating it thoroughly. Blot—don’t rub—the stain to avoid pushing it further into the fibers. If the stain starts to lighten, repeat the process until it comes out entirely.^{[8]
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- If the club soda doesn’t seem to be working on its own, mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle and mist it on the stain. Let it soak for 10-15 minutes, then blot with a rag or sponge.
- When the stain is gone, soak up the remaining moisture with some paper towels and let the carpet dry thoroughly.
4
Blot stains with shaving cream. Shaving cream contains light cleansers that can sometimes pull up stains in carpet. Apply a small amount of plain, white shaving cream to the stain and let it sit for several minutes. Blot the area with a clean, damp cloth, then a clean, dry cloth, and repeat the process as needed until the stain disappears.^{[9]
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- Avoid shaving creams with lots of moisturizers, as these may leave a grease stain.
Food stains often contain starches and other ingredients that are difficult to remove with just your fingers or a vacuum. Instead, hold an ice cube to the stains until they harden. Once the gum or other substance is rigid and stiff, pull it up with your fingers, tweezers, or a spoon.^{[10]
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Mix white vinegar and water to spot-clean urine. Combine equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. After soaking up as much urine as you can with a dry cloth, blot the spot with a damp cloth, then spray the stain with the vinegar and water mixture. Next, combine ¹⁄₂ tsp (2.5 mL) of clear, mild, non-bleach detergent and 4 c (950 mL) of water, and apply this mixture to the stain. Rinse and blot dry.^{[11]
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- Enzyme-based cleaners are also a great way to remove urine smells from carpet. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to apply it correctly.
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Use ammonia or hydrogen peroxide on blood or wine stains. Some stains, like blood and red wine, are known to be particularly stubborn and may need a stronger cleaning solution. Mix 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of ammonia and 1 c (240 mL) of water or equal parts water and 3% hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle, then spray it on the stain. Let it soak for a few minutes, then blot the area with paper towels. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and allow the carpet to dry.^{[12]
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- Both ammonia and hydrogen peroxide can cause burns or breathing issues, so be sure to wear rubber gloves and work in a well-ventilated area if you use either of these products.
- These products can also discolor carpet, so be sure to test them in an inconspicuous area first.
- Do not mix hydrogen peroxide and ammonia; use one or the other, but not both.
Nail polish remover is very effective at removing nail polish stains—even on carpet. Test it in an inconspicuous area first, as nail polish remover can dissolve or discolor some carpet fibers. Then, dip a rag or paper towel into the solution and blot the nail polish until it’s gone.^{[13]
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If your carpet has a wax or oil stain, place a paper towel directly over the stain. Set your clothes iron to low and slowly run it over the paper towel. The heat should cause the stain to lift from the carpet and transfer to the paper towel instead. Replace the paper towel as necessary until the stain has completely lifted.^{[14]
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Apply rubbing alcohol to glue or ink stains. Dab a cotton ball or soft cloth with rubbing alcohol and blot it on this stain. The ink should begin to transfer, and the glue should moisten and loosen from the fibers. When it does, rub it off the carpet with a cloth. If the alcohol alone isn’t enough, apply some warm, soapy water to the stain, then rinse with clean, warm water.^{[15]
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- Be sure to test the rubbing alcohol in an inconspicuous area first.

Section 3 of 9:

Maintaining Your Carpet

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To keep your carpet looking fresh and clean, aim to vacuum twice weekly. This helps remove surface dirt and prevent it from settling deeper into the carpet fibers. This way, you won’t have to deep clean your carpet as often.^{[16]
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If something gets on your carpet, treat it as soon as possible to prevent the stain from settling deep into the fibers. Use your preferred cleaning solution (like one listed above) to blot the spill before it becomes a stubborn stain.^{[17]
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Shoes track in a lot of dirt and grime, so one of the easiest ways to help keep your carpet clean is to take them off before walking across it. If you have to wear shoes on the carpet for whatever reason, do your best to wipe them off first to remove excess dirt.^{[18]
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If you have a lot of heavy furniture, the weight can sometimes crush and damage carpet fibers. To prevent and remove dents and keep your carpet looking new, place carpet protectors beneath your furniture.^{[19]
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Section 4 of 9:

Cleaning Shag Carpet by Hand

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Scrub on some mild soap if the carpet can be washed. Some shag carpets are dry-clean only, so check its tag for specific care instructions. If yours is safe to wash, brush on a mild soap (like dish soap) with a scrub brush, then rinse with clean water. If it’s a rug, hang it outside to dry. Otherwise, turn on some fans to help it dry completely.^{[20]
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- If your shag carpet has to be dry-cleaned, either purchase a dry-cleaning agent and apply it according to its instructions or hire a professional carpet cleaner. Using a professional dry cleaning service is usually recommended.
- Matuska says how you clean shag carpet “depends on the type of shag material. If you had a small area rug, you could probably get away with washing it [in the washing machine] on a very mild setting. Usually, we end up actually shaking [a shag rug] out as much as we can, vacuuming it, and then just doing a spot clean with a carpet cleaner as needed.”

Section 5 of 9:

Cleaning Carpeted Stairs by Hand

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Working from the top of your stairs, brush the carpeted surface with a carpet brush or carpet broom, pushing the dirt toward the bottom of the stairs. Go over the carpet with a vacuum cleaner, then sprinkle powdered carpet cleaner and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to clean it up.^{[21]
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Section 6 of 9:

Cleaning Carpeted Floor Mats by Hand

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Take your carpeted floor mats outside and brush the surface with a soft-bristled brush. Fill a spray bottle with vinegar—no need to dilute it with water—and spray the mats while brushing. Spray them with a garden hose to rinse them, then leave them out in the sun to dry completely.^{[22]
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Section 7 of 9:

Cleaning Car Carpet by Hand

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Buy a spray-on carpet cleaner and apply it generously to your car’s rug. Scrub it with a brush so it gets deep into the fibers. Then, run an absorbent towel over the fabric to pick up the loosened dirt. When you’ve removed as much as possible, use a handheld vacuum on any remaining grime and let the carpet dry completely.^{[23]
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Section 8 of 9:

When to Call a Professional

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Call a professional if you can’t remove the stains on your own. If you’ve tried everything to get stains out of your carpet and nothing seems to work or if your carpet has to be dry cleaned, it might be time to hire a professional carpet cleaner. They have equipment and solutions not generally available to the public that can have your carpet looking as good as new.^{[24]
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- If your carpet is made of a material like wool or silk, it may be better to call a professional than to risk damaging the fabric by trying a DIY cleaning solution.
- The cost of professional carpet cleaning typically ranges from $120-300. Shampooing typically costs $240, while steam cleaning costs $300.

Section 9 of 9:

Cleaning Carpet by Hand FAQs

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How often should you deep clean a carpet or rug? Generally, it’s a good idea to deep clean your carpet once or twice a year. If you have pets, it may be necessary to do this more often. To avoid having to deep clean more often, vacuum your carpets regularly and clean up stains as soon as they happen.^{[25]
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- It is possible to clean your carpet too often. Some cleaning solutions contain harsh chemicals that can damage fibers and speed up the wear and tear process. Vacuuming regularly, however, will not damage your carpets.
The time it takes to deep clean a carpet depends on various factors, like the type of carpet you have, how dirty it is, and what cleaning products you use. Because deep cleaning is meant to get rid of deep, stubborn stains, expect it to take longer than deep cleaning. It could take anywhere from 15 minutes to over an hour; in general, it takes about 15 minutes to clean 300 sq ft of carpet.^{[26]
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There are a lot of ways you can clean your carpet using everyday household products, but vinegar is a very popular and effective cleaning solution. Mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle (and add a few drops of dish soap for extra cleaning power), then spray the stained carpet. Let it sit for a few minutes to saturate the fibers, then scrub or blot the area with a clean cloth or sponge.^{[27]
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While cleaning a carpet by hand may take a bit of elbow grease, it can save you a lot of money. Professional carpet cleaning can cost up to $300, while if you do the job yourself, you’ll only have to pay for cleaning supplies. Commercial carpet cleaners typically cost less than $20, though you might spend even less if you use a homemade solution, like baking soda or vinegar.^{[28]
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Tips

If you’re trying to clean up mud, let it dry first, then vacuum it up.

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Use a dull blade, like a butter knife, to remove cigarette burns. Gently scrape the burn with the blade until the stain is gone.

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Apply fabric softener to your carpet to remove any hard or stiff spots from stains. Just be sure to rinse it well afterward, as remaining residue could attract more dirt over time.

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Warnings

Always test cleaning solutions in an inconspicuous area first to make sure they won’t damage the carpet.

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Do not mix chemicals unless you’re certain it’s safe to do so.

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