Carpets are fantastic for keeping your home comfy and cosy. They’re also excellent at presenting a clean and hygienic space, with fabric fibres absorbing and hiding dust and debris from our everyday vision. But as you probably know, that dust doesn’t disappear on its own. That’s why giving your carpets a proper deep clean every so often is so important.
Thoroughly cleaning your carpets does more than just remove visible dirt – vacuuming is great for surface cleaning and removing hair and large debris. A carpet cleaning machine cleans below the surface, removing hidden contaminants and gently agitating away stains and smells with the help of a liquid cleaning formula. Routine carpet maintenance prevents dirt from embedding too deeply, which reduces wear patterns in high-traffic areas and keeps deep stains and odours from permanently settling in.
Here at BISSELL, our award-winning carpet cleaning machine range is available to help you get a better clean of your carpets with little effort. In this guide, our experts walk you through the best methods for deep cleaning your carpets, providing step-by-step instructions and a clear schedule to follow.
Prepare for carpet cleaning – before you start
Like any household task, preparation is key for effective carpet cleaning. Take time to assess your carpet type and gather your materials first. This will help you tackle stains and dirt without damaging your carpet.
Assess your carpet type
Identify materials and stains:
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Carpets are made from various materials, including wool, nylon and polyester, which may require specific cleaning solutions or methods. Different stain types may also call for different cleaning techniques and formulas.
Consider the manufacturer's instructions:
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Check the carpet’s care tag or manufacturer's instructions before cleaning. The information shown on the tag may include the carpet material makeup as well as guidelines that specify safe cleaning methods to prevent accidental damage. Some carpets or area rugs should not be cleaned with water-based cleaning liquids.
Gather necessary supplies
Upright vacuum
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For vacuuming carpet before cleaning and after it dries. We recommend the Pet Hair Eraser Turbo Lift-Off Vacuum.
Upright carpet cleaner
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For deep cleaning the wall-to-wall carpet. The ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet carpet cleaner comes with all the strength and power to deep clean your carpets.
Formula
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Some BISSELL cleaning formulas have StainProtect technology built in. These solutions, including the Professional Stain & Odour Formula, clean carpets and help prevent future stains and messes from setting in.
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Oxy-based cleaning formulas rely on active oxygen to break down stains, with oxygen-free radicals decolourising the stain, making it easier to remove. Oxy-based formulas are best for organic or colourful stains like wine, coffee, and juice. Formulas with Oxy are also best for most pet stains and accidents – and you can get an Oxy Boost and add it to any other formula combinations.
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Check the BISSELL formula guide for everything you need to know to select the right formula for the task at hand.
Stain removers for pretreating
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Pretreating stains with a stain remover like the Tough Stain Pretreat before general cleaning can loosen and dissolve the stain to make it easier to remove when cleaning.
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Similar to carpet cleaner formulas, stain removers can be matched to specific types of stains. The Pet Stain Pretreat is great for tough pet stains like urine, vomit and mud, as well as tough food stains, including wine, coffee and tomato sauce.
Step-by-step carpet cleaning instructions
Keeping carpets clean enhances the appearance of your home, extends the carpet’s lifespan and removes dirt and dust allergens. Here are the steps our experts recommend to clean the carpet at home.
Step 1: Move furniture
Start by removing all easy-to-lift furniture, like tables and chairs. To clean the carpet below heavier objects – like couches and beds – you may need to clean in stages, tackling one part of the room, then moving the big pieces of furniture before starting again.
Step 2: Vacuum debris
Next, use your vacuum cleaner to remove loose dirt, dust and debris, paying extra attention to high-traffic areas and corners. Vacuum at least once before you deep clean your carpet. For regular maintenance, our experts recommend vacuuming carpet at least once a week to reduce the buildup of unwanted particles and maintain that fresh carpet look and feel.
Step 3: Pretreat problem areas
Use a pretreating spray to loosen any stains before going over them with your upright deep cleaner. Spray the product directly on visible stains and let them soak into the carpet before cleaning the carpet with your machine.
Step 4: Select your formula and fill your machine
Follow the instructions for your carpet cleaner and on your formula bottle. You can find a range of product guides with instructions on how to use our machines on the BISSELL blog. For example, you may add clean, warm water to the fill line of your carpet cleaner. Then add the formula until it reaches the second line (formula line).
Step 5: Deep clean your carpets
Start cleaning your carpet in the opposite corner from the door so you can avoid walking across wet carpet when you finish.
We recommend cleaning the same area twice, going forward with the trigger pressed down and backward with your hand off the trigger. The first pass sprays solution into the carpet while the suction from the second pass pulls up any remaining moisture. On both passes, the brush rolls are scrubbing out the dirt and stains.
Pro tip: Try counting to two for each step you take. This gives your carpet cleaner time to scrub an area and suck up more moisture.
Step 6: Speed up your carpet drying time
Drying time will vary by carpet type and thickness, cleaning mode, the number of times you go over an area without spraying formula and the humidity and air circulation in the room.
In general, we recommend four to six hours before walking on the carpet after deep cleaning. It may take up to 24 hours to fully dry, however.
If you need to dry your carpets quickly, try one of the methods below:
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Use quick dry mode: Some of our carpet cleaners, such as the Revolution HydroSteam deep cleaner, come with a quick dry mode, which releases less formula and allows carpets to dry more quickly.
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Go over the area without spraying formula: The suction on your carpet cleaner is always running when the machine is powered on. You can make additional passes over the carpet (without touching the spray trigger) to suck up excess moisture.
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Open your windows: Opening your windows helps the carpet dry by reducing the moisture in the air and creating a crosswind. This method is especially effective when combined with fans. We don’t recommend opening your windows if it is humid outside – this may actually slow your carpet’s drying time.
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Turn on your heat or air conditioning: You can use your home’s heating or cooling system to dry your carpets more quickly. Using your air conditioner may seem counterintuitive, but the increased air flow will still help dry your carpets. The biggest downside of using your A/C is that the room may feel stuffy from the increased moisture in the air. Here, running a fan can help, too.
Step 7: Vacuum leftover debris
Once your carpet has fully dried, go over the entire area with your vacuum to restore your carpet’s original texture.
Step 8: Prepare your carpet cleaner for storage
The last step in your carpet cleaning routine is preparing your carpet cleaner for storage. Proper maintenance can help your cleaner stay in great condition and ensure it’s ready to clean the next time you need it.
Before you store your carpet cleaner:
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Empty the dirty water tank into a utility sink and give it a thorough rinse.
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Remove the plastic brush roll cover and rinse it clean. Use the nozzle clean-out tool to remove any stubborn hair or debris left in the nozzle.
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Wipe the brush roll chamber clean. Remove any hair or debris left on the brush rolls and rinse them under running water.
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Rest the carpet cleaner on its back and look for any clogs in the mouth of the hose or sprayers. Check the steam bar on HydroSteam products.
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Once all pathways are clear and parts are dry, reassemble the machine.
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Make sure both the dirty and clean water tanks are emptied, rinsed out and dried. Wrap the cord for storage and set the machine in a protected, dry area.
How to treat common messes
Not every mess can be treated the same, so knowing how to get stains out of a carpet based on the type of stain is crucial, as it not only ensures the stain is removed but also ensures you don’t damage your carpet.
Removing pet stains and odours
Removing pet stains and odours like urine requires addressing both the visible stain and the underlying odours. Follow these general steps:
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Blot the stain: Immediately blot the stain with a paper towel or clean cloth to absorb as much of the stain as possible. Avoid rubbing, as this can push the stain deeper into the carpet fibres.
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Fill your carpet cleaner: Fill your carpet cleaner with water and a pet-friendly cleaner formulated – the Wash & Remove Pro Oxy Pet Urine Eliminator Formula works great – to tackle tough pet messes like urine.
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Spot clean: Use your carpet cleaner to spot clean the affected area by covering the stain and the surrounding area. Make one pass with the sprayer on and a second pass with the sprayer off to suction up excess moisture. The SpotClean Hydrosteam is fantastic at this, though you can use most of our carpet cleaning machines to clean spots and stains.
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Remove moisture: After spot cleaning, use your carpet cleaner’s suction function to remove excess moisture left over from the stain and carpet cleaning solution.
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Repeat, if necessary: For stubborn pet stains that could not be removed from the carpet, repeat the cleaning process. This may take a few rounds.
Mould and mildew treatment
Mould and mildew can grow on carpet that’s exposed to excess moisture. Mould can cause your carpet to appear dirty and smell musty, and the spores pose severe health risks, too. Tackling mould and mildew at the core involves killing the spores and removing lingering stains. Here’s how to go about it:
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Dry the area: Before cleaning, dry the area fully using fans and/or a dehumidifier.
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Vacuum thoroughly: Once your carpet is dry, use a vacuum to remove loose mould spores.
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Prepare your carpet cleaner: After vacuuming, fill your carpet cleaner with water and an oxygen-based cleaning formula (OXY) to the fill lines.
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Clean the carpet: Make one pass over your carpet with the sprayer and brushes to work the solution into the carpet fibres and loosen any mould or mildew. Then, go over a second time with the sprayer off to remove moisture.
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Remove excess moisture: Use your carpet cleaner’s suction function to remove excess moisture left from your cleaning solution.
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Repeat, if necessary: If mould and mildew remain after the first cleaning, repeat the cleaning process.
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Air dry: Allow your carpet to air dry overnight after cleaning. To dry faster, turn on a fan or open a window to circulate air throughout the room. To prevent mould and mildew growth in the future, address leaks or high humidity.
Carpet maintenance tips
To avoid tough carpet stains, prevention is key. Through proper maintenance, you can keep your carpet in good condition.
Regular maintenance schedule
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Daily: Spot cleaning
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Weekly: Vacuuming
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Semi-annually: Carpet cleaning
Preventive measures
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Layer rugs and mats on your carpet, particularly in high-traffic areas
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Implement a no-shoe policy
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Address spills and accidents immediately
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Keep indoor humidity levels low
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Vacuum regularly
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Deep clean using a carpet cleaning formula that is best for your carpet material and stain types
Packing up
Cleaning your carpets is an integral part of maintaining a fresh aesthetic while also creating a healthier and more comfortable living environment. There are many methods for cleaning carpet, depending on the material of the carpet and the type of stain. For organic spots like coffee stains on your carpet, juice spills and even pet urine, oxygen-based formulas are an excellent solution. Using these formulas in an upright carpet cleaner allows you to tackle the embedded dirt, dust and debris staining your carpet or to remove spots and stains that are otherwise super tough to remove.
From targeting everyday messes to removing tough stains or performing deep cleans, a proactive approach will save you time and effort in the long run. With a clean carpet underfoot, you can always be proud of your inviting, hygienic, clean and comfortable home.