Thoroughly cleaning your carpets does more than just remove visible dirt. Vacuuming is best for surface cleaning and removing hair and large debris while a carpet cleaning machine cleans below the surface, removing hidden contaminants and gently agitating away stains and smells with the help of a liquid cleaning formula. Regular vacuuming and periodic deep cleaning preserve carpet’s color, texture, and longevity, and can make your space more hygienic and comfortable. Routine carpet maintenance prevents dirt from embedding too deeply, which reduces wear patterns in high-traffic areas, and keeps deep stains and odors from permanently settling in. In this guide, our experts walk you through the best ways to deep clean your carpets, including step-by-step instructions and a schedule to follow.
Prepare for carpet cleaning - before you start
Like any household task, preparation is key for effective carpet cleaning. Take time to assess your carpet type and gather your materials first. This will help you tackle stains and dirt without damaging your carpet.
Assess your carpet type
Identify materials and stains. Carpets are made from various materials, including wool, nylon, and polyester, which may require specific cleaning solutions or methods. Different stain types may also call for different cleaning techniques and formulas.
Consider the manufacturer’s instructions. Check the carpet’s care tag or manufacturer instructions before cleaning. This information may include the carpet material makeup as well as guidelines that specify safe cleaning methods to prevent accidental damage. Some carpets or area rugs should not be cleaned with water-based cleaning liquids.
Gather necessary supplies
- Upright vacuum: For vacuuming carpet before cleaning and after it dries. We recommend the Pet Hair Eraser® Turbo Lift-Off® Vacuum.
- Upright carpet cleaner: For deep cleaning wall-to-wall carpet. The Revolution® HydroSteam® Pet carpet cleaner comes with everything you need to deep clean your carpets.
- Formula: Some BISSELL® cleaning formulas have StainProtect® technology built in. These solutions, including the PRO MAX Clean + Protect Upright Carpet Formula, clean carpets and help prevent future stains and messes from setting in. Oxy-based cleaning formulas rely on active oxygen to break down stains, with oxygen free-radicals decolorizing the stain, making it easier to remove. Oxy-based formulas are best for organic or colorful stains like wine, coffee, and juice. Formulas with Oxy are also best for most pet stains and accidents.
- Stain removers for pretreating: Pretreating stains with a stain remover before general cleaning can loosen and dissolve the stain to make it easier to remove when cleaning. Similar to carpet cleaner formulas, stain removers can be matched to specific types of stains. PET PRO OXY Stain Destroyer is great for tough pet stains like urine, vomit, and mud, as well as tough food stains including wine, coffee, and tomato sauce.
Step-by-step carpet cleaning instructions
Keeping carpets clean enhances the appearance of your home, extends the carpet’s lifespan, and removes dirt and dust allergens. Here are the steps our experts recommend to clean carpet at home.
- Move furniture: Start by removing all easy-to-lift furniture, such as tables and chairs. To clean the carpet below heavier objects - such as couches and beds - you may need to clean in stages, tackling one part of the room then moving the big pieces of furniture before starting again.
- Vacuum debris: Next, use your vacuum cleaner to remove loose dirt, dust, and debris, paying extra attention to high-traffic areas and corners. Vacuum at least once before you deep clean your carpet. For regular maintenance, our experts recommend vacuuming carpet at least once a week to reduce the buildup of unwanted particles and maintain that fresh carpet look and feel.
- Pretreat problem areas: Use a pretreating spray to loosen any stains before going over it with your upright deep cleaner.
- Select your formula and fill your machine: Follow the instructions for your carpet cleaner and on your formula bottle. For example, you may add clean, warm water to the fill line of your carpet cleaner. Then add formula until it reaches the second line (formula line).
- Deep clean your carpets: Start cleaning your carpet in the opposite corner from the door so you can avoid walking across wet carpet when you finish. We recommend cleaning the same area twice, going forward with the trigger pressed down and backward with your hand off the trigger. The first pass sprays solution into the carpet while the suction from the second pass pulls up any remaining moisture. On both passes, the brush rolls are scrubbing out the dirt and stains. Pro tip: We recommend counting to two for each step you take. This gives your carpet cleaner time to scrub an area and suck up more moisture.
- Speed up your carpet drying time: Drying time will vary by carpet type and thickness, cleaning mode, the number of times you go over an area without spraying formula, and the humidity and air circulation in the room. In general, we recommend four to six hours before walking on the carpet after deep cleaning. It may take up to 24 hours to fully dry, however. If you need to dry your carpets quickly, try one of the methods below:
- Use quick dry mode: Some of our carpet cleaners, such as the Revolution® HydroSteam® Pet deep cleaner come with a quick dry mode, which releases less formula and allows carpets to dry more quickly.
- Go over the area without spraying formula: The suction on your carpet cleaner is always running when the machine is powered on. You can make additional passes over the carpet (without touching the spray trigger) to suck up excess moisture.
- Open your windows: Opening your windows helps the carpet dry by reducing the moisture in the air and creating a crosswind. This method is especially effective when combined with fans. We don’t recommend opening your windows if it is humid outside - this may actually slow your carpet’s drying time.
- Turn on your heat or air conditioning: You can use your home’s heating or cooling system to dry your carpets more quickly. Using your air conditioner may seem counterintuitive, but the increased air flow will still help dry your carpets. The biggest downside of using your A/C is that the room may feel stuffy from the increased moisture in the air. Here, too, running a fan can help.
- Vacuum leftover debris: Once your carpet has fully dried, go over the entire area with your vacuum to restore your carpet’s original texture.
- Prepare your carpet cleaner for storage: The last step in your carpet cleaning routine is preparing your carpet cleaner for storage. Before you store your carpet cleaner: empty the dirty water tank into a utility sink and give it a thorough rinse. Remove the plastic brush roll cover and rinse clean. Use the nozzle clean out tool to remove any stubborn hair or debris left in the nozzle. Wipe the brush roll chamber clean. Remove any hair or debris left on the brush rolls and rinse them under running water. Rest the carpet cleaner on its back and look for any clogs in the mouth of the hose or sprayers. Check the steam bar on HydroSteam® products. Once all pathways are clear and parts are dry, reassemble the machine. Make sure both the dirty and clean water tanks are emptied, rinsed out, and dried. Wrap the cord for storage and set the machine in a protected, dry area.
- How to treat common messes: Not every mess can be treated the same, so knowing how to get stains out of a carpet based on the type of stain is crucial, as it not only ensures the stain is removed but it also ensures you don’t damage your carpet. For example, removing pet stains and odors requires addressing both the visible stain and underlying odors. Blot the stain, fill your carpet cleaner, spot clean, remove moisture, and repeat if necessary. Mold and mildew require drying the area first, vacuuming thoroughly, then cleaning with an oxygen-based formula and allowing the carpet to air dry.
Carpet maintenance tips
To avoid tough carpet stains, prevention is key. Through proper maintenance, you can keep your carpet in good condition.
- Daily: Spot cleaning
- Weekly: Vacuuming
- Semi-annually: Carpet cleaning
Preventive measures include layering rugs and mats in high-traffic areas, implementing a no-shoe policy, addressing spills and accidents immediately, and maintaining low indoor humidity. Regular deep cleaning with a carpet cleaning formula that suits your carpet material and stain types helps preserve color and texture over time.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I clean my carpets? We recommend vacuuming your carpets every week and deep cleaning your carpets at least twice a year with spot cleaning between.
How do I know if I can use a carpet cleaner on my carpets? Your carpet retailer or manufacturer will know if your carpets can be cleaned with water or soap. When in doubt, it’s always advisable to test clean a small area in an inconspicuous place.
