How to Clean White Carpet

Co-authored by Michelle Driscoll, MPH

White carpet looks fresh and clean when it is first installed but it can attract stains and dirt over time, making it appear grubby. However, some experts say that white or light colored carpets, as long as any marks or spills are immediately attended to, actually show less dirt than darker shades.^{[1]
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Research source} Specks of dust are naturally more visible on a darker carpet. Keeping white carpet clean doesn't have to be a nightmare, therefore, if you perform some regular maintenance and make an effort to remove stains right away.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Method 1 of 3: Getting Stains Out Effectively

1
Blot spilled liquids immediately. Use a white terrycloth towel to apply gentle pressure to soak up the stain. Don't rub or scrub as this will make the stain worse, causing dirt particles to get ground in to the carpet.^{[2]
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Blot starting from the outside. Work your way inward with a clean towel to avoid spreading the stain.
2
Clean water-soluble stains with white vinegar. These include soda, alcoholic beverages, berries, excrement, milk, mud, dairy products, wet or latex paint, gravy, and jelly.^{[3]
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- Mix ¹⁄₄ teaspoon (1.2 ml) of white vinegar or non-bleach detergent with 1 US quart (0.95 L)of water.^{[4]
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- Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spray onto the dried stain.
- Rub the area with a sponge and blot it dry with paper towels.
- Alternatively, you can use 1 cup (240 ml) of water with a few drops of clear dish soap to blot the stain. Rinse off any soap residue after the stain comes out.
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3
Use an ammonia solution to remove special water-soluble stains. Special water-soluble stains include those from blood, chocolate, coffee, wine, tea, vomit and mustard.^{[5]
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- Mix1 tablespoon (15 ml) of ammonia with 1 cup (240 mL) of water. Use a mild detergent instead of ammonia for a wool or wool-blend carpet.^{[6]
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- Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spray onto the dried stain.
- Rub the area with a sponge and blot it dry with paper towels.
- Pay attention to clear-colored stains such as white wine. The sugars actually caramelize over time causing discolored patches.^{[7]
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- Treat blood with cold water immediately. Then use hydrogen peroxide to lift it from white carpets.
4
Remove fat, wax or oil with an iron. Lay a paper towel over the spill and iron it on a warm setting. The heat should cause the spill to lift off the carpet and stick to the paper towel.
- If your carpet has been pre-treated, you may be able to use mild dish soap and water. Otherwise, you’ll have to deep clean it.
5
Remove glue with rubbing alcohol. Rub a cotton ball moistened with rubbing alcohol on the glue. Gently wipe off the glue residue and continue rubbing until it is gone.
6
Remove wax or gum by freezing. Apply an ice cube or ice pack to the gum or wax for around 20 minutes.^{[8]
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- If a large area is affected, hit the frozen area with a blunt object until it shatters. Vacuum up the pieces and blot the area with a towel.^{[9]
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- For smaller pieces of gum, use a spoon to lift the frozen gum and cut the carpet underneath. Go as close to the frozen gum as possible and only cut a small amount.^{[10]
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- If you still have any wax residue, use an iron to remove the remaining residue.
7
Remove a urine stain with white vinegar and detergent.
- Mix water and white vinegar together in even proportions. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle, or moisten a rag with it. Spray or blot the area.
- Mix 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 mL) of non-bleach detergent with 32 ounces (960 mL) of water. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spray onto the dried stain.
- Clean the mixture off the area with a sponge, then rinse with water and blot dry with paper towels.
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Consider investing in a handheld spot extractor. These machines are available from around $50 to $200 and use suction to remove dirt and stains. Use with a neutral detergent specifically designed for wool.^{[11]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Method 2 of 3: Housekeeping to Maintain Your White Carpet

1
Vacuum as often as possible. This is especially important in high traffic areas where the carpet gets a lot of wear. Vacuuming gets rid of any surface dirt on the carpet before it has a chance to get pressed in.
- Try for once or twice a week at a minimum, but daily is even better, especially if you have children or pets.
- Use a high-quality vacuum, experts recommend a top-loading machine with HEPA filters to catch the maximum amount of dirt. Remember to the change or clean the filters often. Make sure the filter is completely dry before using the vacuum again.^{[12]
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- Set the vacuum height level so that it gives slight resistance when you push it over the carpet. This will ensure it is operating optimally.^{[13]
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- Change the vacuum bag or canister often. When it is above half full the vacuum is less effective.^{[14]
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2
Remove shoes before walking on the carpet. Take your shoes off when you come in the door and have your guests do the same. This is key to maintaining your white carpet and keeping it clean.
- Leave socks on though, as bare feet give off natural oils that are then deposited on the carpet, causing it to attract dirt.^{[15]
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- Place a shoe rack by the door to remind you to remove your shoes when you come in.
- Have slippers, which are strictly for indoor use and don't walk outside in them. You could even have a few spare pairs to offer guests, who may be uncomfortable removing their shoes.^{[16]
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- If you don’t want to ask guests to remove their shoes, place a mat in the entryway to catch dirt.
3
Dry pets’ paws when they come inside. Keep a towel by the door to wipe dirt off your pet's paws as soon as they get in. This prevents them from trampling dirt into the carpet.
- While many pets will not like this, some may eventually learn that they shouldn't come into the house before you have cleaned off their paws.^{[17]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Method 3 of 3: Deep Cleaning Your Carpet

1
Clean using the hot-water extraction method. While you can do a lot to prevent your white carpet from getting dirty, it is recommended that you get your carpet more thoroughly cleaned by professionals every 12 to 18 months.^{[18]
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- This method, also known as steam cleaning, involves pre-spraying the carpet with soap, then applying a fine spray of hot water to rinse the soap. Finally, the wastewater should be extracted so that no soapy film remains on the carpet.^{[19]
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- It is also beneficial for health reasons as the hot temperatures kill any mold, bacteria, and pollutants stuck in the soft surface of the carpet. As many as one hundred times more pollutants are found indoors than outdoors.
2
Select a reputable professional. There are lots of businesses offering to clean carpets, but make sure to select one with insurance (in case something happens to your carpet during cleaning) and a valid certification.
- Ensure that the company has the necessary qualifications from the IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification). You can find further information on their website.^{[20]
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- Get multiple quotes from different companies and beware of "discount" carpet cleaners.^{[21]
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Rent a steam cleaner and do it yourself. Professionals will likely do a more thorough job but they can be expensive. You can rent a steam cleaner from a hardware store and give it a go yourself.
- Vacuum before you begin to get the top layer of dirt off as steam-cleaners are designed to wash the carpet and get at the ground-in dirt.^{[22]
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- Remove furniture and pick up all items lying around the floor.
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the specific device you are using.
- Most carpet steam cleaners lay the water down when you push the machine forward and extract it when you pull back.
- If this is the case, be sure to slowly pull the machine over the carpet to extract as much water as possible.
- Excess water left behind may soak the carpet padding and cause mold or mildew issues.^{[23]
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- Use in the summer months when you can keep windows open for ventilation and to speed up drying.

Expert Q&A
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Question

What is the best way to clean a carpet?

Michelle Driscoll, MPH
Founder, Mulberry Maids
Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Founder, Mulberry Maids

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Preventative cleaning is the best way to keep your carpet clean. Vacuum once or twice a week. Be sure to clean up stains as soon as possible. Vinegar and water is a great go-to stain remover for white carpet. For a more thorough cleaning, you should get your carpets professionally cleaned or rent a steam cleaner or carpet cleaner at least once every couple of years. A professional cleaner will likely do a more thorough job than a rental unit.
Question

How do you clean a white rug?

Michelle Driscoll, MPH
Founder, Mulberry Maids
Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Founder, Mulberry Maids

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Assuming your rug is small and does not have a rubber backing, you can put the rug in your washing machine. If your rug has stains on it, you should work on the stains prior to putting the rug in the washing machine. To remove stains, you can mix equal parts vinegar and water with 1 teaspoon of laundry detergent. Work the solution into the stain and blot the stain until it is removed. You may need to let stubborn stains soak with the solution for 20 minutes prior to blotting with a rag.
Question

How do you clean white carpet by hand?

Michelle Driscoll, MPH
Founder, Mulberry Maids
Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Founder, Mulberry Maids

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

If you have small stains you are trying to remove, you can use apply white vinegar to the stain and rub the area with a sponge and blot it dry. Alternatively, you can mix in laundry detergent to the vinegar to make a stronger solution. With white carpet, be sure to vacuum regularly and steam clean your carpet once every couple years, at least!

Warnings

Blot, don't scrub to pick up spills. Scrubbing can cause the liquid to soak in more and break down the fibers in the carpet.

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