How to Clean a Carpet by Hand

Co-authored by Ashley Matuska and Dev Murphy

Last Updated: August 14, 2022 References

There are few things more luxurious than a soft and fluffy carpet. However, despite your best efforts to keep your floors spotless, your carpet will inevitably need some TLC now and again. Fortunately, giving your carpet the love it deserves is simple to do all by yourself, using tools you’ve likely already got around the house. We’ve assembled a couple of methods to help you make your floor look brand new again without the use of a carpet-cleaning machine. Check them out below!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Deep-Cleaning a Carpet by Hand

1
Agitate the carpet. Sweep the carpet with a carpet brush, or use a broom and dustpan. This will agitate the dirt and debris buried deep in the carpet and bring it to the surface.^{[1]
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2
Vacuum the carpet. Now that you’ve brushed all the hidden soil to the top of the carpet, it will be easier to sweep up.
- Agitating and vacuuming your carpet should be completed as a precursor to deeper cleaning. But whether you deep-clean afterward or not, to keep your carpet looking fresh, you should agitate and vacuum it regularly—about twice weekly.^{[2]
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3
Sprinkle baking soda and salt over the carpet. Combine equal parts baking soda and salt in a bowl. Then, evenly spread the mixture out over your carpet. Baking soda and salt will help scrub out dirt in the carpet fibers and absorb odors.^{[3]
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- If you don’t want to make your own cleaning solution, you can use commercial carpet shampoo instead.
4
Mist the carpet with cold water. Apply the water to the carpet using a spray bottle. Mist until the carpet is damp, but not soaking wet.
5
Scrub the wet baking soda and salt mixture into the carpet. Using a carpet brush, work in small areas at a time, maybe a 3-foot-by-3-foot patch. Scrub in all directions, first moving back and forth and then up and down. This will ensure the mixture is thoroughly interacting with every carpet fiber.^{[4]
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Research source} Scoop up any excess mixture.
- You can also use a combination of equal parts white vinegar and water instead of baking soda and salt.^{[5]
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  Research source} Add the vinegar and water to a spray bottle, mist the carpet one patch at a time, then blot excess liquid with a microfiber cloth.^{[6]
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6
Let the carpet dry, then vacuum up the leftover powder. Let the baking soda mixture sit on the carpet for at least an hour: the longer you leave the mixture in the carpet, the more odor it will absorb.^{[7]
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Research source} Now your carpet is fresh and clean!

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Spot-Cleaning Water-Soluble Stains by Hand

1
Combine detergent and water. This mixture will clear up most water-soluble stains, such as coffee, tea, blood, alcoholic beverages, excrement, mud, and washable ink. Use ¹⁄₄ tsp (1.2 mL) of non-bleach laundry detergent and 4 c (950 mL) of water.^{[8]
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- You may need something stronger to remove tough water-soluble stains including coffee, blood, or wine: try ammonia.^{[9]
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  Research source} Mix 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of ammonia and 1 c (240 mL) of water.
- Ammonia can cause burns or breathing issues if it comes into contact with skin or is ingested, so make sure to wear gloves and keep the area well-ventilated if you use ammonia.^{[10]
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2
Apply the mixture to the stain. Dip a clean white towel into the mixture and blot the stain carefully. Continue to blot until the stain lifts.
- You can also use a microfiber towel for this.
3
Rinse the spot thoroughly and let the carpet dry. Use clean, hot water, and be sure not to soak your carpet. Until the carpet is dry, avoid walking on it.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Spot-Cleaning Other Common Stains by Hand

1
Mix white vinegar and water to spot-clean urine. Combine equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. After soaking up as much urine as you can with a dry cloth, blot the spot with a damp cloth, then spray the stain with the vinegar and water mixture. Next, combine ¹⁄₂ tsp (2.5 mL) of clear, mild, non-bleach detergent and 4 c (950 mL) of water, and apply this mixture to the stain. Rinse and blot dry.^{[11]
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2
Use a towel and iron for fat and oil. Apply a paper towel to the stain and then heat the paper towel with a clothes iron. The stain should lift from the carpet and stick to the paper towel instead.^{[12]
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Use a cotton ball and rubbing alcohol for glue stains. Wet the cotton ball (or a soft cloth) with the alcohol and apply it to the stain. Once the glue is moistened, rub it off the carpet.^{[13]
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4
Use ice to remove gum or wax. Apply the ice to the stain to freeze it. Once the gum or wax is frozen, scrape it off with a dull object, such as a spoon edge or a butterknife. Before the pieces warm up and cling to the carpet again, vacuum them up.^{[14]
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Let mud dry before vacuuming it. Combine 1 tsp (4.9 mL) of dish detergent with 1 c (240 mL) of warm water and apply to the stain. Blot until the stain is gone, and then let the spot dry.^{[15]
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Use nail polish remover to clean up nail polish. Dip a rag or paper towel in nail polish remover and blot the nail polish until it is gone.^{[16]
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Use a dull blade to remove cigarette burns. A butter knife works well. Gently scrape at the cigarette burn with the blade until the stain is gone.^{[17]
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