Timelines vary based on the number of rooms and their size.
Cost
$50–$100
You’ll wonder why everyone doesn’t do this themselves.
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What you'll need:
TOOLS
Carpet cleaner
Vacuum cleaner
SUPPLIES
Carpet cleaning formula
Carpet shampoo or stain remover (Optional)
Aluminum foil (Optional)
Whether it’s everyday foot and paw traffic or disastrous spills that send you into panic mode, your carpeting faces a lot of messes. If your carpet looks dull or dirty, a carpet cleaner is one of the best methods for cleaning your carpet and restoring it to its former glory. Best of all, these powerful machines are relatively inexpensive to rent and DIY-friendly to boot. Here’s how to use a carpet cleaner to refresh and renew your carpeting.
Prepping for Using a Carpet Cleaner
First things first: If you haven’t already, it’s time to get your hands on a carpet cleaner machine. Renting a carpet cleaner is the most affordable option for getting your carpets fresh and clean, but you can also invest in your own machine if you want to use it often in the future.
Now, before we review how to use a carpet cleaner, take a moment to evaluate the condition of the room. Do you need to dust, tidy up, or deep clean? Anything you clean above the carpeting can drop dirt and dust, so you’ll want to save the carpeting for last. At minimum, you’ll likely want to clean your baseboards so you have a bright, spotless frame for your freshly-cleaned carpet.
Move Your Furniture
Start the carpet-cleaning process by emptying the room of any furniture and other obstructive items on the floor. Don’t overexert yourself—you can always hire movers to relocate heavy items inside your house if needed. If you need to leave anything in place, wrap the furniture legs in aluminum foil so the steam doesn’t damage them.
Next, thoroughly vacuum the carpet area you’re about to clean. Complete two to three passes with the vacuum to pick up as much dirt as possible, as anything leftover may get worked deep into the carpet fibers during the cleaning process. Use the crevice tool to tackle the tight spaces where your carpeting meets your baseboards.
Pretreat Heavily Stained Areas
Carpet cleaners may not completely lift deep dirt or stains, so it’s helpful to pretreat stains or soiled areas. Purchase a commercial carpet shampoo or a carpet stain remover to give stains a deep clean beforehand. If you need to get pet urine smells out of the carpet, treat it first with an enzymatic cleaner or a mixture of equal parts of water and vinegar to help neutralize the smell.
Set Up the Carpet Cleaner
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To get your carpet cleaner ready, detach the water tank and fill it up with hot water. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for how to use that specific carpet cleaner. Fill the tank to the fill line—typically about ¾ of the way up.
Add Carpet-Cleaning Formula to the Tank
Next, fill your carpet cleaner with the carpet-cleaning formula. Don’t use the regular products for cleaning your carpet: You’ll want to select a cleaner that’s specifically meant for a carpet cleaner.
Some machines have separate tanks for hot water and cleaning formula, while some will have you mix them in the same tank. Again, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific machine.
Adjust the Settings and Turn On the Machine
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Your machine will likely have dials to select regular versus deep cleaning, deep cleaning versus floor cleaning, and the like. You may need to refer to the manufacturer’s instructions on how to use a carpet cleaner to determine which settings are the best ones. Once you’ve adjusted the settings, plug it in and flip on the power and heater switches.
Start Cleaning the Carpet
Once the carpet cleaner is up and running, start moving it back and forth while pulling the trigger to release some of the water and detergent. Start at the far end of the room and work your way out, ensuring that you’re not oversaturating the carpet.
Work in small sections, pushing the machine forward as far as you can reach without walking over the now-clean areas. Once you’ve cleaned the carpet area with detergent, give it an additional pass without any detergent to rinse it clean. Making a “dry pass” as you go will allow you to rinse the carpet without stepping on the areas recently cleaner.
Empty and Refill the Water Tank
Photo: Julia/ Adobe Stock
Continue cleaning until your carpet cleaner’s dirty water tank is filled. There should be a fill line that shows when it’s reached maximum capacity. Once it reaches the line, empty the dirty tank out in the sink. While you’re at it, refill the clean water tank with more hot water, and continue cleaning as necessary.
Let the Carpet Fully Dry
Once you’ve cleaned and rinsed each carpet section, it’s time to step back and admire your work. However, seeing your fresh, clean carpet may make you feel ready to re-situate the room so you can enjoy the space. But it’s important to let the carpet dry fully before it experiences any furniture or foot traffic.
Most carpets need 6 to 10 hours to dry completely, but timelines vary depending on the temperature and air circulation in the room.
DIY vs. Hiring a Professional Carpet Cleaner
Renting a carpet cleaning machine costs around $35 to $50 per day, plus an additional $25 for the cleaning solution. A professional carpet cleaning costs around $180 on average, though prices fluctuate based on cleaning methods and labor rates in your area.
The DIY method will save you some cash and is relatively straightforward, but it carries some risk of damaging the carpet with improper use. Plus, if you’re dealing with tough, stubborn stains, you won’t have the same knowledge and resources as the pros, so you might want to skip the DIY if you have a more complex mess to clean. For the best clean possible (and some relaxation in lieu of labor), hire a local carpet cleaning service to tackle the job.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can push or pull your carpet cleaner; it works either way. The best method for using a carpet cleaner is to push it as far in front of you as you can reach, then pull it back. Avoid stepping on the areas you’ve already cleaned.
Yes, if you want to use a carpet cleaner to its full potential, complete multiple passes and water changes until the water comes out clear. If it’s been a while since you last cleaned, it’s common for this to take up to 10 passes or possibly more. Once the water runs clear, you’ll know all the dirt and grime are gone.
The answer depends on the level of foot traffic your carpet experiences. Vacuuming at least once a week is ideal so it can lift dirt before it can settle into the fibers. As for using a carpet cleaner, aim to complete this process twice per year. Busier households may want to clean their carpeting at least once every two to three months.
You should always use hot water to clean your carpets. The heat will help lift dirt and stains as you work over them with your carpet cleaner. Before you fill your tank, allow your faucet to run until you’re sure the water is hot and ready to go.
Yes, it’s possible to overdo it with carpet shampoo. This common carpet cleaning mistake occurs when you apply too much cleaning solution. If you oversaturate your carpet with a cleaning solution, it can hinder the drying process. As your carpet finally dries out, it can become discolored or possibly even shrink and tear up from the floor. Plus, over-shampooing greatly increases the chance of mold or mildew growth.
