How to Clean Your Carpet the Right Way

Regular vacuuming, emergency spot cleaning, and easy deodorizing will keep your floor covering looking like new.

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No matter how well you take care of your floors—regular cleaning, a no-shoes-indoors rule, knowing how to get red wine out of a rug—your carpet still takes the brunt of all your daily activity. Kids, pets, guests, crumbs, dust, and dirt can all contribute to a carpet that looks dull, stained, and worn out. Follow this guide to vacuuming, spot treating, deodorizing, and steaming to learn how to clean your carpet—and keep it that way.

Related: How to Clean Every Type of Floor—and Keep It Spotless

Wall-to-wall carpets come in a wide range of materials and constructions and though they are similar to rugs, they require slightly different cleaning instructions. For example, you can shake an area rug outside to get rid of dirt and dust, while wall-to-wall carpet collects dust particles in corners and crevices and need in-house solutions.

Be prepared to clean your carpet by understanding what type of carpet you have; the materials used to make it; and the best practices for tending to a stain emergency.

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The vacuum is your first line of defense against dust, dirt, and allergens—and can help keep your carpet looking newer for longer.

Making regular passes with the vacuum cleaner throughout the week helps keep loose particles out of your carpet. If you have dogs or cats, vacuum two to three times a week to keep pet hair at a minimum, say the experts; if you don't have pets, once a week is typically enough.

Keeping up with your cleaning tools allows them to work more efficiently and last longer. "To ensure your vacuum is running efficiently, regularly clean the brushes and vacuum attachments, and swap out the filters as needed," says Katie Dills, senior vice president of The Cleaning Authority. "Also be sure to empty the canister on an ongoing basis."

If your typical vacuuming style is a quick back-and-forth across the center of your carpet, take the extra time to give each section of carpet a little extra attention. Melissa Witulski of Merry Maids recommends using the upholstery attachment to clean carpeted stairs, and the crevice tool in corners and along edges.

Dills offers these steps for efficient and effective carpet vacuuming:

Vacuum in a straight line, following a pattern.

Start at the far corner of the room and move forward making a slow, methodical row with the vacuum cleaner.

Slowly pull the vacuum back to pick up any remaining dirt.

Overlap the next row with the previous one until the whole carpet is clean.

Related: How to Clean Every Type of Rug the Right Way

Whether you see a spill on a carpet as it happens or find it later, it's essential to clean it as soon as possible; don't wait until your next scheduled professional clean.

Dills uses a homemade mixture of 3 tablespoons, dish soap, 1 tablespoon of vinegar, and 2 cups of water to approach carpet stains. "Immediately blot the stain with a cloth or paper towel to soak up any remaining liquid," she says. "Apply your stain remover to a cloth and blot until the stain lifts. I recommend using a damp cloth to soak up excess stain remover before patting dry with a dry cloth."

Dills recommends a mixture of 1 part dish soap with 2 parts hydrogen peroxide. Dampen the stain with water and blot; then apply the spray, blot, and rinse until the stain lifts.

Related: How to Remove Every Type of Stain, From Grease and Coffee to Wine and Lipstick

If you don't have a carpet shampooer, you can deodorize and deep clean with baking soda. After vacuuming and spot cleaning, "evenly sprinkle baking soda and let it sit for at least 30 minutes—longer if possible," says Dills. (She recommends sprinkling the baking soda in the evening, so it sits overnight, or in the morning, before your housemates leave for work or school.)

"If you have pets, keep them away from the treated area," Dills says. "Vacuum again to remove all baking soda to avoid a grainy texture or accidental pet ingestion."

A carpet steamer allows you to use heat to clean and deodorize your floor covering. "Steam cleaners often use chemicals fused with steam, but you can swap those chemicals out for vinegar as a natural alternative," says Dills. The technique is similar to vacuuming: "When using a steam cleaner, start cleaning at the farthest point in your room and slowly work your way toward the door," says Dills. "Avoid walking on the wet carpet."