How to Get Soiled Areas of Carpet Clean

Clean soiled carpets with a carpet shampooer.

Carpet becomes soiled easily with animals or young children running in and out of the home. When dirt and grime fall on carpets and are walked on, the dirt becomes embedded into the carpet fibers. Normal sweeping of the carpet is not enough to loosen the dirt from the carpet. Agitation with a carpet cleaner or shampooer, and the breakdown of soiled carpets with a cleaning solution, is normally the only way grime loosens adequately enough to lift from carpets.

Things You'll Need

• Regular sweeper
• Carpet cleaner or shampooer
• Carpet cleaning solution

Instructions

1. Remove furniture from the room with the soiled carpet so you can clean the entire area. Vacuum the carpet. Empty the sweeper bag or canister, and vacuum once more to pick up all dry dirt before cleaning the carpet.

2. Add the proper amount of cleaning solution to the carpet cleaner. The cleaning solution directions tell you how much cleaner solution and water to put in the carpet cleaner. Turn the cleaner on and run it slowly over a 4-foot by 4-foot section of the carpet. Running the machine slowly gives it time to pull up dirt and grime from the carpet.

3. Empty the canister on the carpet cleaner as it fills with dirty water, and replace the cleaning solution. Depending on how soiled the carpet is, you may have to empty and fill the cleaning canister three or four times, or more. Shampoo the entire carpet.

4. Rinse the carpet with the carpet cleaner by filling the canister with clean water only. Run the carpet cleaner over the cleaned carpet. The cleaner pulls soap from the carpet fibers. Empty the water from the canister. Run the carpet cleaner over the carpet with an empty canister to pull excess water from the carpet. Removing the water from the carpet speeds up drying time.

Tips & Warnings

• Direct a fan toward the wet carpet to aid in drying.

• Follow the manufacturer's directions when using the carpet cleaner. Different cleaners may have different instructions on using their products.

• Rent or purchase carpet cleaners at most carpet selling stores.

References

• Housekeeping Channel: Easy Carpet Cleaning Tips