How to Clean Berber Carpet Using the Best Method

Always dry your Berber carpet completely to prevent the accumulation of mold.

When cleaning a Berber carpet, you must take special care to preserve the sensitive fibers. Commonly constructed of nylon or wool, a Berber carpet is highly sensitive to the chemicals found in many cleaning products. In addition, the fabric absorbs and retains moisture more than other types of carpet, which can create a breeding ground for mold and mildew. You can protect your carpet by cleaning regularly while bearing its sensitive features in mind.

Things You'll Need

• Vacuum cleaner
• Wet dry vacuum
• Spot cleaner
• Dehumidifier
• Air conditioner
• Soft cloth

Instructions

1. Vacuum your carpet with a standard vacuum cleaner. The suction will remove the loose dirt from the surface of the carpet. Even when you do not plan to thoroughly clean the carpet, you should still vacuum weekly.

2. Apply a spot remover to visible stains. When purchasing a spot remover, read the label and verify that the product is non-toxic and safe for all types of carpeting.

3. Dampen a soft cloth with cold water and scrub the stains firmly. Spend only a few seconds on each stain, as you should never allow a Berber carpet to have prolonged exposure to moisture.

4. Dry your carpet thoroughly. For the best results, go over your moist areas with a wet/dry vacuum. If you do not have access to a wet/dry vacuum, absorb as much moisture as possible using a dry towel. Place a dehumidifier nearby and let it run along with your air conditioning until the carpet dries.

5. Add additional spot cleaner, scrub and dry again if staining remains. While this requires more time and effort than simply scrubbing to perfection the first time around, it ensures that your Berber carpet does not become over-saturated.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep your Berber carpet clean by limiting its exposure to stain-causing materials. Keep food and drinks away and keep shoes off of the carpet.

• Clean spills as soon as they occur in order to prevent or reduce the appearance of stains.

References

• The Carpet Buyers Handbook: Berber Carpet
• The Flooring Lady: Cleaning Berber Carpet
• Rug Doctor: Carpet Cleaning Tips