Step by step instructions on how to cean your carpet in between professional carpet cleaning.

They are warm and fluffy, but carpets tolerate a lot of abuse. From food spills and shoes, it takes a while for you to notice that your carpet is in dire need of a deep clean. Sure, you can vacuum frequently, you can even spot clean, but eventually, the dirt starts creeping up.

When this happens, a good deep clean is the only way to revive your carpet. Deep cleaning removes heavy dirt particles and restores the carpet’s natural fibers, brightening the colors. Expert cleaners use a combination of detergents and stem to completely lift off the dirt from your carpet. If you aren’t keen on using this service, you can easily rent a heavy-duty steam cleaner and do it yourself.

However, these options can be costly, so if you are wondering how to DIY this, you’ve come to the right place. This article will give you a couple of tips on how to deep clean your carpet the right way.


Equipment You’ll Need

  • Vacuum
  • Spray bottle
  • Microfiber cloth
  • Bucket
  • Scrub brush with stiff nylon bristles
  • Old towels or rags
  • Distilled white vinegar
  • Baking soda
  • Table salt

Deep Cleaning Using Distilled White Vinegar

Step 1: Prep the carpet

Before you begin your deep cleaning, you must remove any loose dirt, soil and dust, and debris from your carpet. So start by vacuuming to prevent pushing these particles deeper into the carpet fibers. You also need to remove visible oil, tar, and other stains using a proper stain remover.

Step 2: Mix the vinegar and water solution.

Once you’ve prepped your carpet by doing these preliminary steps, mix one part of distilled white vinegar with three parts cold water. Pour it into a spray bottle.

Step 3: Test the solution on a small area

Before you begin, spray the solution on a small area in a hidden location to see how your carpet responds. You want to avoid ruining your carpet, so if you see it changing color or bleeding, do not use this method.

Step 4: Apply the solution.

If it’s safe to proceed, lightly apply the solution, ensuring that it does not saturate your carpet. Wait for at least five minutes before you use a microfiber cloth to blot away the solution. Rinse the cloth in a bucket of clean water and ensure to change the water frequently.

Step 5: Allow the carpet to air-dry 

Deep Cleaning With Baking Soda and Salt

Prepare the carpet using the same methods as step 1 above.

Step 2: Mix Baking Soda and Salt

Mix a one-to-one mixture of baking soda and salt. Proceed to fill a spray bottle with cold water.

Step 3: Sprinkle, Spay, and Scrub

Sprinkle a generous amount of the mixture on the carpet and spray the area with water; again, do not saturate. Use a scrub brush to clean the carpet going in different directions to help lift the dirt.

Step 4: Wipe, Dry, and Vacuum

After scrubbing, use old towels or rags to wipe away the loosened dirt. Allow the carpet to air-dry completely, and then use a vacuum to remove any remaining residue.