The essentials in 30 seconds
Vacuum at least once a week, slowly, and more often in busy areas. For spills, act quickly: blot liquids with a dry white cloth or plain white paper towels, scoop up semi-solids with a spoon and vacuum dry bits. Do not scrub or use a brush, which can fray the carpet. Pretest any cleaner in a hidden area, apply a little on a white cloth and work from the edges to the centre, blotting. If you have no tested carpet cleaner, the CRI's detergent solution is 1/4 teaspoon of liquid dishwashing detergent per cup of lukewarm water, never stronger, followed by thorough rinsing. For candle wax, cover it with brown paper and apply low heat with an iron so the paper absorbs the melted wax.
- Never use laundry detergent or automatic dishwasher detergent on carpet.
- Rinse well: leftover cleaner makes carpet soil faster.
- Have carpets professionally deep cleaned every 12 to 18 months.
The four steps of carpet care
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01
Vacuum regularly
At least once a week, more in high-traffic areas.
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02
Clean spills quickly
With products that do not damage the carpet or make it resoil.
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03
Deep clean professionally
Every 12 to 18 months, to remove embedded dirt.
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04
Stop dirt at the door
Mats outside and in, shoes off and clean air filters.
How to vacuum carpet properly
- Slow and steady: a quick once-over does not do much.
- Corners and edges: do not skip the places where dust builds up.
- Empty or change the bag when it is half to two-thirds full, which keeps the vacuum working well.
- Frequency: the CRI suggests daily in high-traffic or pet areas, about twice a week in medium-traffic areas and once a week in light-traffic rooms.
How to clean carpet stains
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01
Absorb
Blot liquids with a dry white cloth or plain white paper towels until nearly dry; coloured or printed ones can transfer dye.
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02
Remove solids
Scoop semi-solids with a rounded spoon; vacuum dry bits.
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03
Pretest
Try the solution in an inconspicuous area; if the colour changes or transfers, choose another.
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04
Apply sparingly
A small amount on a white cloth, worked in gently from the edges to the centre. More is not better.
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05
Wait and blot
Leave it a few minutes, then blot. Repeat as long as the stain keeps transferring to the cloth.
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06
Rinse
Blot with clear water, several times if needed, to remove all residue.
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07
Dry
Blot with paper towels until no moisture remains.
| Solution | Mix | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Detergent | 1/4 teaspoon liquid dishwashing detergent per 1 cup lukewarm water | Never stronger; rinse thoroughly |
| Vinegar | 1 cup white vinegar per 2 cups water | Used to lower alkalinity from detergents or alkaline spills |
| Warm water | Lukewarm tap water | To rinse out cleaning solutions |
| Not to use | Laundry detergent; automatic dishwasher detergent | Brighteners can dye the fibre; bleaching agents destroy dyes and some fibres |
How to clean candle wax out of carpet
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01
Remove what you can
Break up the solid wax and vacuum the pieces; scrape semi-solid wax gently with a rounded spoon.
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02
Brown paper
Cover the spot with a clean brown paper bag or heavy brown paper.
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03
Low heat
Apply an iron on low heat over the paper. The paper absorbs the wax as it melts.
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04
Residue
If a mark remains, pretest and use a non-flammable dry-cleaning spot remover on a white cloth, never poured onto the carpet, then blot.
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05
Rinse and dry
Cold water, then blot dry.
Cleaning rugs at home
- Machine-washable small rugs: shake them outside, wash at the recommended temperature with warm water and mild detergent, and tumble dry on the lowest heat.
- Larger rugs: shake and beat them over a clothesline outside, then vacuum.
- Dry clean only: take them to a dry cleaner that handles rugs.
- Fringed rugs: gentle suction, from the centre towards the fringe, without catching it in the beater bar.
- Oriental, Turkish, Persian or heirloom rugs: follow the maker's instructions or hire a professional.
How to clean carpet: frequently asked questions
How do I clean carpet at home without a machine?
Vacuum slowly and regularly, blot spills with white cloths and treat spots with a CRI-tested cleaner or 1/4 teaspoon of dish detergent per cup of lukewarm water, then rinse and blot dry.
How do I get candle wax out of carpet?
Remove what you can, then cover the wax with brown paper and apply low heat with an iron so the paper absorbs it. Treat any residue with a non-flammable spot remover on a cloth.
Should I scrub a carpet stain?
No. Scrubbing and brushes can fray the carpet and spread the stain. Blot from the edges towards the centre.
Can I use laundry detergent on carpet?
No. The CRI warns it may contain optical brighteners that dye the fibres.
How often should carpet be deep cleaned?
The CRI recommends professional deep cleaning every 12 to 18 months.
Can I steam clean pet urine?
The CRI advises against it: heat sets the stain and smell. Extract with a wet vacuum and rinse with cool water.
Sources
Carpet and Rug Institute guidance, checked on 2 November 2026 (02/11/2026).
- Carpet and Rug Institute · Cleaning and maintenance ↗Four steps of carpet care; professional deep cleaning every 12 to 18 months; rug care; vacuuming tips and bag at half to two-thirds; weekly vacuuming; blotting with white cloths; no scrubbing or brushes; pretest; edges to centre; rinsing; no steam on urine. Read in the browser.
- Carpet and Rug Institute · Spot Solver: wax ↗Blot, scrape and vacuum; pretest; apply on a white cloth from the edges; non-flammable solvents never poured onto the carpet (latex backing); detergent solution 1/4 tsp per cup; vinegar solution 1 cup per 2 cups water; no laundry or dishwasher detergents; residue rinsing. Read in the browser.
- Carpet and Rug Institute · Easy carpet cleaning tips for your home ↗Vacuuming by traffic level; blotting from the edge; wax removed with brown paper and low iron heat. Read in the browser.
Stain will not come out?
Stop before you damage the pile: a professional carpet cleaner has stronger solutions and the equipment to extract them.