Do Your Own Carpet Cleaning

SKILL LEVEL 2

Whether you're planning to sell your house, getting ready for guests or just want to brighten things up, cleaning your carpet makes your room look fresher. Save money by cleaning your own carpets — rent a steamer in the morning, and be back in the room that night.

2 Skill level
2 out of 5
4 Steps
4 Materials

Step 1 Prepare the room

Remove all furniture and area rugs from the room and then vacuum the carpet thoroughly.
Step 2 Set up the steam cleaner

Check the steam cleaner's filter and clean it if it's dirty. Fill the steam cleaner with hot water and detergent, following the manufacturer's instructions. If the label cautions you to ventilate the area, open windows and close off other areas of the house.
Step 3 Clean section by section

Start cleaning carpet in the corner furthest from the door. To wet the carpet, push the cleaner forward while pulling the trigger. Slowly pull the cleaner back on the same line, giving the machine time to scrub the carpet. If the carpet is very dirty, go back and forth a few times.

Move the steam cleaner to the next section and repeat. Work your way towards the door. Clean all the carpet in the room the same way.
Step 4 Let dry

Open windows and turn on fans to help the carpet dry faster. Block the door to keep people and pets out, if possible, and alert household members not to walk on the carpet until it dries.

After about 6 hours, walk on the carpet in your socks to test if it's dry. When it's dry, move the furniture back into the room.