Regular vacuuming and treating stains as soon as they happen go a long way toward keeping rugs looking their best. But if your rug still looks dingy or holds on to odours, it’s probably time for a deeper clean.
Vacuuming removes surface dirt, but it can’t reach the embedded dust, pet dander, and grime that settle deep into rug fibres over time. Fortunately, you don’t need to hire a pricey pro or rent a bulky carpet-cleaning machine. When used correctly, a dedicated consumer-grade carpet cleaner can remove deep-down dirt and help make most rugs look almost as good as new. The pros in the Good Housekeeping Institute explain the best way to deep-clean a rug at home.
What you’ll need:
- Vacuum
- Carpet cleaning spray
- Carpet cleaning machine
- Carpet cleaning solution
- Clean water
1. Vacuum thoroughly
Before you lug the carpet cleaner out of the cupboard, remove as much loose dirt, dust, and debris as possible by vacuuming the entire rug slowly and thoroughly. Go over high-traffic areas more than once, and, if possible, vacuum in both directions to help loosen trapped dirt before adding moisture.
2. Pretreat stains
Deep cleaning can refresh the entire rug, but visible stains may need a little extra attention first. Apply a carpet cleaning spray to any visible stains or use a spot cleaner, like the
Vax SpotWash Home Duo, following the product instructions. Let the treatment sit for the recommended amount of time before moving on to deep cleaning.
Our favourite carpet cleaning solutions
3. Test the carpet cleaner before using it on the entire rug
Before cleaning the entire rug, test your carpet cleaner (our top pick is the Shark CarpetXpert Deep Carpet Cleaner) and solution on a small, inconspicuous area to make sure it won't cause discolouration, fading, or damage to the fibres. Let the spot dry completely before continuing, so you can see the full result.
4. Fill the carpet cleaner with water and solution
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to fill the machine with clean water and the recommended amount of carpet cleaning solution. Some carpet cleaner manufacturers require that you use their own cleaning solution, and using another brand may void your warranty, so check your owner’s manual before filling the tank. Use only the recommended amount of solution, too. While it may be tempting to add extra for a ‘deeper’ clean, more product won’t make your rug cleaner – it can leave behind a sticky residue that attracts more dirt.
5. Clean the rug in slow, overlapping passes
Starting at the far end of the rug, make slow, steady passes with the carpet cleaner, pulling the machine toward you as it sprays, scrubs, and extracts. Slow passes give the machine more time to lift dirt and remove moisture, while slightly overlapping each pass helps ensure you don't miss any areas. Avoid lingering in one spot or over-saturating the rug, though, which can leave it wetter for longer and contribute to odours or mildew.
6. Rinse
If your carpet cleaner has a rinse setting or allows you to make a pass with clean water only, use it to help remove any remaining cleaning solution from the rug.
7. Let the rug dry completely
Allow the rug to dry fully before walking on it or putting furniture back in place, since trapped moisture can contribute to odours and mildew. Some carpet cleaners have a dry-only or water-extraction setting that can help remove excess moisture after cleaning. Good airflow can also speed drying, so open windows or run fans nearby if possible.
8. Vacuum again
Once the rug is completely dry, give it one more vacuum to lift the pile and restore its appearance, especially if you have a plush rug.
GHI Approved Best Vax Carpet Cleaners
Score: 93/100
The winning Vax carpet cleaner is easy to manoeuvre, comfortable to hold and features motion sensor technology, so it applies the detergent and vacuums automatically in motion. The 'SpinScrub' hand tool is particularly useful for stubborn stains.
Score: 88/100
This Vax carpet cleaner is easy to use and copes well with fresh stains. The performance was strong across all our carpet tests, and we found the 'Deep Clean' setting particularly useful for a thorough wash.
Score: 85/100
The sheer size and depth of the brush head makes this carpet cleaner ideal for those with larger homes. With an impressive tank capacity of 4.7 litres, it will also cover a wide space before needing to be emptied, and on test we found that it successfully removed all traces of dirt from both carpet and upholstery.
