Follow our ultimate guide to shampoo carpet at home. Get rid of grime, bad smells, and stains with the best DIY carpet shampoo solutions. We will start with 2 easy ways to shampoo carpet by hand, then share what you need to know about pet-friendly products, common cleaning mistakes, and frequently asked questions about carpet shampoo machines. Let’s get started!
Items You Need
- A bowl or bucket of warm water
- A spray bottle
- A DIY carpet shampoo or store-bought carpet cleaner
- An absorbent cloth, paper towel, or sponge
- A handheld or regular vacuum cleaner
- A dry cloth or towel
How to Shampoo Wet Carpet
Start dealing with stains immediately, while they are still fresh (or in liquid form). The longer tough stains have to settle into the carpet, the more difficult it will be to get them out.
Follow these steps to shampoo wet carpet:
1. Gather all your cleaning materials
2. Cover the spill with an absorbent cloth (or sponge etc.) and gently dab it to absorb the liquid
3. Don’t aggressively scrub the carpet or you’ll spread the stain
4. Dip a cloth into a bowl of clean water, squeeze any excess water out, then dab at the carpet
5. Replace dirty water as needed
6. Once the stain is diluted, use a fresh cloth to soak up excess moisture
7. Apply your carpet shampoo spray or powder onto the entire stain
8. Leave the carpet shampoo to work for at least 10 mins
9. If you used a liquid spray, repeat Step 4 to rinse out the carpet shampoo solution, and let the carpet dry
10. If you used a powder, vacuum it up
11. Enjoy! You should have a clean carpet again
How to Shampoo Dry Carpet
Do you want to give your entire carpet a refresh? We recommend a deep clean for any carpets that see a lot of foot traffic (or dirty paws).
To shampoo dry carpet, follow these simple steps:
1. Gather your cleaning products and move any furniture or loose items out of the area
2. Start by vacuum cleaning to remove dust bunnies, dirt, and small debris
3. Pre-treat stains by applying concentrated carpet shampoo, and leave it for at least 10 mins
4. Apply the carpet shampoo evenly (by spraying or sprinkling it on)
5. Let the carpet cleaner work down into the carpet fibres for at least 10 mins
6. Vacuum up the carpet cleaning powder
7. Rinse liquid carpet shampoo solution with a sponge and clean water, blot away excess liquid with a dry cloth, then leave the carpet to dry
8. Stand back and admire your fresh, clean carpet!
How to DIY Shampoo Carpet
Are you looking for a budget-friendly way to shampoo carpets? Keep reading and we can tell you how to make your own carpet shampoo solution with items in your cupboard. While store-bought carpet detergents and shampoos are effective, DIY cleaning solutions can be just as good.
2 amazing carpet shampoo recipes:
1. Vinegar
Remove a stain with vinegar carpet shampoo spray made from 1 cup of white vinegar and 1 cup of water (an equal ratio). For an extra fresh smell, add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice.
One of the best types of carpet shampoo is made with vinegar. Vinegar is an excellent homemade carpet stain remover because it can break down stains and neutralise odours at the same time. Remember to use cold or lukewarm water, as hot water could damage or discolour carpet.
2. Baking soda (powder or liquid)
For a liquid cleaner, combine 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 2 cups of lukewarm water. Or sprinkle dry baking powder over the wet stain as need.
Baking soda powder is a great dry carpet shampoo. After a spill, cover the wet carpet in baking powder and it will help absorb excess liquid and stop stains. This will create a kind of foam carpet shampoo and help lift stains before they have a chance to sink into the carpet. If you want a dry shampoo for carpets, then use baking soda.
Is it Worth Shampooing Carpet?
Yes, absolutely! Carpets in high-traffic areas of the house encounter all sorts of messes. A regular vacuum clean will remove most of the dirt, grime, pet hair, and bacteria from your carpet. But shampooing dirty carpets is the best way to spot-clean spills and stains, and to deep clean carpets. If bad odours and stubborn stains are ruining your carpet, then shampooing carpet is a fantastic idea.
What Not to Do When Shampooing a Carpet
1. Don’t use too much water
Don’t soak your carpets with water or carpet shampoo. It will be difficult to get the carpet dry again and give mould and mildew the opportunity to grow. Instead, soak up any excess water (during and after the carpet clean) to speed up the drying process.
2. Don’t ignore the type of carpet you have
There are so many different types of carpets. Homes in New Zealand have synthetic carpet, natural fibre carpet, plush carpets, wool carpet, acrylic carpets, ones with delicate fabric, and more. The carpet thickness is also a factor, as dirt, pet hair, and dust mites can sink deep into the fibres. Keep the carpet type in mind before you pick your cleaning method.
3. Don’t rush while shampooing carpet
Paying extra attention to stains or completing a few additional passes with a vacuum cleaner can make all the difference. Take your time to ensure a complete and thorough clean.
4. Don’t scrub the carpet aggressively
Harsh scrubbing will spread the stain even further on your wet carpet. Gently dab at the area instead, and focus on soaking up spills with an absorbent cloth or paper towel. If you feel a scrub brush is necessary, make sure it is a soft brush and take care the stain doesn’t spread.
Does Carpet Shampoo Work on Everything?
Our ultimate guide and carpet shampoo solutions should be effective on most carpets. If you are looking for a reliable car carpet shampoo or something for smaller spaces (like carpeted stairs), then feel free to use the step-by-step tutorial from earlier. But, before you start shampooing car carpet, remember to clear the space of mess and remove any floormats to ensure there are no obstacles. Pay special attention to oil stains; these are stubborn stains and leave bad odours in your car carpet.
Best Carpet Shampoo for Fleas
A flea infestation in your carpets is a serious problem. Most pet owners will want to kick the issue hard and fast with bug bombs and heavy-duty chemical sprays. But picking a pet-safe product should be a top priority, and that usually means finding a flea carpet cleaner shampoo without harsh chemicals. Lucky for you, our DIY carpet shampoo recipes are safe pet carpet cleaners that will kill fleas. A carpet shampoo solution containing baking soda, vinegar, or lemon will be the best carpet shampoo for fleas.
As well as killing fleas, these homemade cleaning solutions can neutralise unpleasant odours and stains left by pets as well. If your furry friend leaves a nasty surprise on the carpet, remove or soak up the mess with a paper towel and apply your DIY carpet shampoo on the fresh stains. This will remove bad smells and help remove pet stains before they settle into the carpet fibres.
Frequently Asked Questions about Carpet Shampoo Machines
We’ve already talked about how to shampoo carpets without a machine. With our 2 easy methods, you don’t need a carpet shampoo machine to get the job done. With an excellent carpet cleaning solution, a bit of elbow grease, and patience, using carpet shampoo by hand will work fine. But if you are curious about carpet shampooing machines, then keep reading.
Carpet shampoo machines and steam cleaners: which is better?
Is it better to steam clean or shampoo carpets? That depends on the cleaning requirements of your type of carpet. Carpet shampooing is a relatively quick way to clean loose dirt and stains from your entire carpet, and you can use this method on a budget. However, many professional cleaning services use steam cleaners to deep clean carpets. The steam function can reach far into thick carpets to remove bacteria and deeply-ingrained stains and dry dirt. If you have an old carpet, steam cleaning could be a great choice.
Carpet shampoo machine rental
Carpet shampoo machines provide more cleaning power than shampooing carpet by hand. In New Zealand, hiring a carpet shampoo machine or contacting professional carpet cleaners is the most cost-effective. Keep it in mind that typical carpet shampoo machines come in different models and designs. Most are large, so you will need to be physically capable of pushing or pulling the carpet shampooer. Do some research to see how carpet shampoo machine rental in NZ compares to booking in with a professional cleaning service in your area.
Consider Hiring A Professional Service
Are noticeable stains giving you grief? Is carpet shampoo machine hire is too expensive or troublesome? Consider hiring a professional cleaner to provide your carpet shampoo service instead. A cleaning expert can expedite the cleaning process and take the burden off your shoulders. Professional carpet cleaning services can assist you with serious stain removal. If you’re looking for amazing cleaners in New Zealand, then contact The Local Guys.
Final Thoughts
With our straightforward step-by-step guides to follow, cleaning carpets should be easy for you. You even have some DIY carpet shampoo solutions to try out. But if you would prefer to have carpet shampooing handled by a professional cleaner, then get in contact with The Local Guys. Your dirty carpets will get cleaned up in no time.