How to Clean Berber Carpet

Berber carpets originated in parts of Africa. The carpets are made to resemble homespun, natural carpets, but they can now be made from both synthetic and natural fibers. Most Berber carpeting is available in either nylon or olefin fibers, and usually comes in neutral shades such as cream, beige and tan. Because Berber's carpet fibers are looped, it's difficult for dirt to penetrate the carpet. Even so, you need to clean Berber carpet every few months to ensure it stays looking good.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Vacuum
• Cold water
• Cloth
• Stain remover
• Steam cleaner

1. Vacuum your Berber carpet regularly. Use a suction-only vacuum. Traditional vacuums with rotating beater bars will catch the carpet's loops, leading to a frayed look.

2. Clean spills with a clean cloth. Blot the spill quickly to soak up excess liquid. Do not rub, as this can push the spill down into the Berber loops.

3. Pour cold water on the spill. This will dilute whatever was spilled, making it less likely to stain. Use a new clean cloth to blot up the water.

4. Use a carpet stain remover on trouble spots. Cover an area much larger than the actual stain to ensure you penetrate the surrounding carpet fibers, thereby removing it entirely. Follow your particular stain remover's instructions regarding length of application.

5. Have your Berber carpet steam cleaned once a year. You can either rent a steam cleaner and do it yourself or hire a professional carpet cleaning service. Steam cleaning removes deep debris, dirt and oil that resides within Berber carpeting's looped fibers.

Tips & Warnings

• Place a floor mat near the entrances to rooms with Berber carpeting. People should be encouraged to wipe their shoes before walking on the carpet.
• Keep food and drinks away from Berber carpeting. Berber fibers tend to hang onto stains so it's best to avoid spills altogether.