According to microbiologist and immunologist Dr. Philip Tierno, the average indoor carpet contains about 200,000 bacteria per square inch. That’s 4,000 times dirtier than a toilet seat! This means that deep cleaning your carpets every few months is essential for keeping your home looking (and smelling) fresh.
And these days, there’s no need to scrub away at accidental spills on your hands and knees for hours on end. That’s because modern carpet cleaners can do all the dirty work for you in way less time. They’re a lot more thorough too.
But how do you use a carpet cleaner? In this article, we've provided all the steps you’ll need to follow to operate one of these dirt and stain-busting appliances. Not all carpet cleaners work exactly the same though, so we’ll break down how to use the top brands. But first, let’s explain how they work their magic…
How do carpet cleaners work?
Carpet cleaners use a powerful combination of water, cleaning solution, brushes, and suction to refresh your carpets. Here’s how everything works together to tackle spills and muddy paw prints:
Water and cleaning solution: Carpet cleaners spray a mixture of these into your carpet from a built-in tank, which breaks down dirt and stains so they’re easier to remove.
Brushes: Just like vacuum cleaners, carpet cleaners have brush bars designed to agitate your carpet’s fibres. They help lift deeply embedded dust, pollen, and other soils.
Suction: Once it’s soaked and scrubbed your floor, a carpet cleaner will suck away the dirty water into a separate tank you can empty later.
Carpet cleaners come in all shapes and sizes. Big upright carpet cleaners are perfect for covering large areas efficiently. Whereas smaller, more portable models are easy to tuck away but can take a little longer to use. Most models also come with attachments that make them versatile for cleaning other soft surfaces, like upholstered furniture, mattresses, and curtains.
How to prepare your carpets for cleaning
Before you break out your carpet cleaner, you’ll need to tick off a few other tasks:
Move furniture out of the way: You’ll want to have a clear, cutter-free path to work with so you can wash your carpets fast and get into all those nooks and crannies.
Vacuum your carpets: A good vacuum will remove any loose surface dirt and debris that could clog up your carpet cleaner.
Keep the room well-ventilated: Open a few windows so you’ve got fresh air coming in. This will help your carpets dry quickly after you’ve cleaned them.
Got a cordless?
If you have a cordless carpet cleaner, make sure it’s fully charged before you use it. That way, you won’t have to stop halfway through to recharge.
Operating your carpet cleaner
Now that you know how they work and how to prep your floors, let’s get to the fun part. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use most types of carpet cleaner:
Fill the water tank: Add the recommended amount of warm water and cleaning solution to the clean water tank. The instructions on the bottle will tell you the correct ratio. It’s also a good idea to check your carpet cleaner’s manual, with some models having separate water and cleaning solution tanks.
Select your setting: If your carpet cleaner offers modes for light, normal, or deep cleaning, pick the one that’s most appropriate for the job. Not sure? Just start with the lightest setting and adjust as necessary as you go along.
Release the water and cleaning solution: Slowly push your carpet cleaner forward over a patch of carpet while holding down the water and cleaning solution release trigger. This will also rotate the brushes to deep clean your carpet’s fibres. Make just one slow pass forward and backward over your carpet.
Suck up the dirt and solution: Let go of your carpet cleaner’s trigger and move it back over the same spot to suck everything into the dirty water tank.
Rinse and repeat: If you have any particularly stubborn stains, spend a little extra time on those areas. Move backwards and forwards over the same patch before working across the whole carpet in straight lines. Once you’ve done one stripe, move over and clean a line next to it with a slight overlap.
Dry your carpet thoroughly: Once you're happy that a section is clean, go over the area again with just the suction setting to remove as much water as possible. This will help your carpet dry faster.
Empty the dirty water tank: If your carpet cleaner’s dirty water tank fills up before you’ve covered the whole floor, just empty it and refill the clean water tank to finish the rest of the job. This will make sure that you’re not just pushing dirty water around!
After you’ve cleaned your carpet, let it fully dry for a few hours before rearranging your furniture or walking on it. Even though your carpet cleaner should extract most of the water, it’ll still be a little bit damp.
How to clean a carpet cleaner
Your carpet cleaner will need some TLC after you’ve finished using it. This will this keep it working well for longer and make sure it’s ready for action the next time you need it. To keep it in tip-top shape:
Unplug and disassemble: Always power off your carpet cleaner and unplug it from the wall before taking it apart for cleaning.
Empty and rinse the tanks: Pour away the dirty water in the storage tank and give it a thorough rinse. It’s worth doing this for the clean water tank too, to prevent shampoo residue from building up.
Clean the brushes and nozzles: Check the brushes and nozzles for any trapped hair, lint, or dirt. Then clean them out to keep your appliance running smoothly.
Wipe down the exterior: Use a slightly damp cloth to wipe away any dust on the outside of your carpet cleaner.
Allow to dry completely: You’ll want all the components to fully dry before putting your carpet cleaner back together and storing it. This will stop nasty mould and mildew from forming.
FAQs
How often should I clean carpets?
You should clean your carpets at least once a year. But you might want to do it more frequently if you have a busy household, especially with kids or pets. Well-trodden areas like entryways and stairs will need spot cleaning more often too.
Can you use a carpet cleaner on a mattress?
You can use a carpet cleaner on your mattress to keep it fresh and hygienic, with many models coming with a specialised attachment. But mattresses aren’t supposed to be saturated with lots of liquid. So, always try and use minimal water and check your mattress has fully dried before sleeping on it again.
Can a carpet cleaner be used on a couch?
Lots of carpet cleaners come with upholstery attachments that you can use on couches. Just make sure to use a gentle cleaning solution that won’t risk fading its colour. You could try testing it on a small hidden area first before tackling any stains you want to remove.
Does a carpet cleaner kill fleas?
While carpet cleaners are effective at removing fleas, eggs, and larvae — they can’t guarantee 100% extermination. It’s best to go for a dedicated flea treatment or to contact a professional pest control service when dealing with serious infestations.
Need more help?
Now that you know how to use a carpet cleaner, why not tackle the rest of your floors too? Our floorcare buying guide is packed with tips to help keep your home spotless.
