How to wash your carpets in the best way

Clean carpets make both your home more comfortable and extend the life of your flooring. Dirty carpets wear out faster. By keeping your food clean, you thus help the material's fibers to better withstand abrasion. Therefore, it is important to wash a rug regularly.

How often does matte washing need to be done?

If you vacuum the carpets at the same time as you clean the rest of the home, it is enough if you perform carpet washing at one and a half year intervals. If you have pets or small children, this may need to be done more often.

With regular vacuuming, you do not need to whip the carpets. It is also better not to, because carpet whipping can lead to stretch marks in the carpet. However, it is good to air the carpets from time to time.

Wash carpet at home

Carpet washing at home can be done with most carpets. If you have a more expensive rug, however, it is better that you let a professional do the job so that the rug is not damaged. The same applies if you need to wash a wool rug. It is better to leave such a rug to a laundromat.

Wash carpet in washing machine

To find out if you can wash the carpet in the washing machine, read the care instructions on the underside of the carpet. If there are no care instructions, it is best not to wash the carpet in the washing machine. Carpets that are made of cotton or synthetic can in themselves usually be machine washed, but they can scratch themselves or lose their shape. So if there are no washing instructions, it is better to wash the carpet by hand.

Wash carpet

As with other carpets, it is important to give the carpet a rough cleaning from time to time. However, this presupposes that the carpet can withstand water. However, remember not to use too much water. This is because there is a risk of penetrating and damaging the floor under the carpet. To clean the carpet:

1. Fill a bucket with cold water and soap
2. Get on your knees and brush the carpet step by step with a soft brush
3. Then wipe with a damp, clean cloth
4. It is important that the cloth is soaked regularly in clean water

Wash carpet with high pressure washer

If your carpet can withstand water and you have access to a high-pressure washer, it is excellent to use it to clean the carpet. Then do the following:

1. Lay the carpet on a flat surface, such as a terrace
2. Set the high-pressure washer to low power and rinse the carpet until it is soaked
3. Drop soap on the carpet and scrub with a brush
4. Turn the carpet over and repeat the procedure
5. Hang up the carpet and rinse it off until all the soap is gone
6. Let the carpet dry thoroughly

Wash carpet with steam cleaner

It is excellent to wash carpets with steam. The hot and dry steam removes both dirt and grease in an efficient way. In addition, it kills bacteria. So if you have access to a steam cleaner, it is suitable to use. Follow the instructions that come with the machine and be sure to choose a high-temperature cleaner.

Wash carpet with bicarbonate

If you have ingrown stains on the carpet, it may be a good idea to pre-treat them before washing. Then you can use bicarbonate. How to use:

1. Dampen the stain with water
2. Powder over bicarbonate
3. Rub in the solution and leave on for a few hours
4. When it has dried, vacuum the carpet
5. Now you can wash the carpet in any way you like

You can read more about how you can use bicarbonate to clean your home in our blog.

Wash carpet with soap

There are different matte shampoos that you can use for matte washing, but it works just as well with regular soap. It is especially suitable for rag rugs and other slightly more durable rugs. If you have more sensitive carpets, you should first consult a carpet manufacturer.

It is best if you have the opportunity to wash the carpet outdoors. Otherwise, the bathtub and the bathroom work well. Here's how to proceed:

1. Soak the carpets
2. When it has become thoroughly soaked, lay them on a flat surface
3. If you are using liquid soap, pour it into a string in the center of the carpet. If it is solid soap, apply it directly to the brush
4. Scrub the carpet from the center to the edges. Pour more water on the carpet if necessary. Use a soft brush if the carpet is fragile
5. When you have finished one side, turn the carpet over and repeat the procedure
6. Then rinse the carpet thoroughly so that all soap and dirt run off
7. Hang the carpet to dry

Scrub the carpet in snow

It is excellent to wash carpets in snow if you live in a part of the country where the conditions are right. The snow needs to be cold and dry. In addition, it is important that the ground is frozen so that the carpet does not get dirty. If you have access to sea or sea ice, it is even better. Even a rock slab or terrace fits well.

Here's how to snow scrub carpets:

1. Look for a place where there is nothing dirty or sharp that could damage the carpet
2. Shake the mats before putting them in the snow.
3. Cover the carpet with snow
4. Brush the carpet with a broom. Use a little force so that the snow takes the dirt with it
5. Turn the carpet over and repeat the procedure on the other side
6. Shake the carpet and whip it lightly with the broom

The advantage of scrubbing a rug in snow is that it is relatively dry when you take it in, because you shake off most of the snow. This allows you to immediately put them back on the floor. If you have a fragile floor, however, it is better to let the carpet dry for a while.

Dry the carpet

After washing the carpet, it is important to let it dry. A damp carpet directly on the floor can cause mold damage. Therefore, the carpet needs to be thoroughly dry before it is put in place.

The very best is if you can let the carpet dry outdoors. Then it is properly ventilated and dries quickly in the sun. If you have to let the carpet dry indoors, it is important that you make sure that it is done in a place with good ventilation. Sometimes a fan may be needed to create adequate air circulation when you dry the carpet after a carpet wash.