If you are using a steam mop, use the microfiber mop head or a carpet attachment to go over the baking soda mixture on the carpet. For more solid mud stains or dropped food, use the edge of a credit card or a dull knife to lift away the solids.

If you must use the room while the carpet is damp, place plastic sheeting or tarps on the traffic pathways to prevent staining. If you are using a clothes steamer, hold the steamer head about six to twelve inches from the carpet. Mary Marlowe Leverette is one of the industry's most highly-regarded housekeeping and fabric care experts, sharing her knowledge on efficient housekeeping, laundry, and textile conservation. What a cracking little tool this little brush is, it’s very helpful when you are spotting and you can use it in places where the CRB can’t go (under radiators, and other awkward areas etc).

She is also a Master Gardener with over 40+ years of experience and 20+ years of writing experience. After the initial clean-up, follow the recommendations on a stain removal chart to remove specific types of stain.

Katie Berry is a cleaning expert with 30 years of household management experience and 12 years of writing about cleaning methods and routines for Housewife How-Tos. If you are cleaning an area rug, take extra precautions to protect the floor beneath the rug from moisture damage. The magic carpet brush is designed for light manual agitation of low moisture granules for carpet cleaning. Before beginning the deep-cleaning process, spray the vinegar solution on the carpet in a hidden location to test the colorfastness of the carpet.Consider hiring a professional carpet cleaning company or doing a deeper clean yourself at least twice a year.

Using a professional cleaning service is easy but can be costly if your carpet needs frequent cleaning. Always begin any cleaning process by spot cleaning stains and then vacuuming the carpet to remove loose soil, dust, dirt, and debris. Whether you have wall-to-wall carpeting or area rugs, regular vacuuming at least once per week is a must—more frequently if you have pets or kids. I’ve also found that it comes in very useful when you’re doing combination LM/VLM cleaning on stairs (vacuum, prespray Hydro202, apply Solutions Dry Carpet Powder, agitate with a magic brush, and wind dry vacuum). However, if you don't have a vacuum, there are other ways to clean carpet, like an old-fashioned broom, carpet rake, or carpet sweeper.

Change or clean HVAC filters to trap dust particles circulating in the air before they land on the carpet. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Working in a small 3-feet x 3-feet area, spray the vinegar solution onto the carpet until it's very damp.