8 Carpet Cleaning Tips That Actually Work

Date Published: September 1, 2025, Last Updated on September 1, 2025 by Carpet Sales Centre

When you invest in a new carpet, you want it to stay clean, soft, and fresh for years. But between muddy shoes, spills, kids, and pets, it’s easy for your floors to lose their charm.

The good news? You don’t need fancy tools or harsh chemicals to keep your carpet in top shape. With the right cleaning habits and a few smart techniques, you can extend the life of your flooring and keep it looking its best year-round.

In this guide, our carpet experts in Melbourne will walk you through real-world carpet cleaning tips that actually work. Whether you need to remove a spill, refresh a musty rug, or decide if it’s time to clean or replace your flooring.

Thinking about getting new carpet? Call Carpet Sales Centre or book our mobile showroom and we’ll bring samples to your home.

1. Vacuum Regularly (And Properly)

A good carpet care starts with regular vacuuming. It might seem obvious, but most people either don’t vacuum often enough or don’t use the proper technique.

Start with regular vacuuming, especially in high-traffic areas. Use a vacuum cleaner with a beater bar and HEPA filter to lift embedded dirt and pet hair. Aim to vacuum at least twice a week to minimise build-up.

Go slow and vacuum in different directions to reach the full depth of the fibres. This prevents early wear and tear, which can make even the cleanest carpets look worn out.

2. Know Your Carpet Type Before Cleaning

Knowing your carpet fibre type helps prevent damage and ensures you’re using the most effective method.

Every carpet fibre behaves differently when it comes to cleaning:

Wool: To clean wool carpet, use cold water and wool-safe solutions. Avoid hot water and heavy scrubbing, which can shrink or felt the fibres.
Nylon & Triexta: Can handle steam and hot water extraction. Stick to pH-neutral cleaners.
Polyester & Polypropylene: Highly stain-resistant, but heat-sensitive. Dry cleaning or low-heat methods are most effective.

If you want to clean your carpet without damage, always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and patch test first.

3. Act Fast on Carpet Stains

Stains are part of life, especially if you have kids, pets, or like a glass of red wine. The trick is to act quickly. The sooner you tackle a spill, the easier it will be to clean up.

Use a white towel or paper towel to blot up (don’t rub!) as much as you can.
Apply a mix of warm water and white vinegar or a mild carpet cleaning solution.
Blot again, working from the outside in.

Pro tip: Avoid using coloured towels or soapy mixtures that leave residue; they attract more dirt and worsen the stain.

For tougher carpet stains, use an enzyme-based remover for organic spills like food, blood, or pet accidents.

4. Deep Clean at Least Once a Year

Every 6 to 12 months, deep cleaning your carpet is essential. You can hire a professional carpet cleaning service or rent a steam cleaner. For synthetic fibre, use a carpet shampooer.

If you’re going DIY, make sure to rinse with clean water afterwards and extract as much moisture as possible. Leaving too much water behind can create the perfect environment for mould and musty carpet smells.

5. Tackle Musty Carpet Smells at the Source

A clean-looking carpet can still carry hidden odours, especially if spills have seeped through to the underlay. Musty smells are often a sign of trapped moisture or bacteria, and ignoring them only makes the problem worse.

Persistent odours often mean moisture or hidden spills beneath the surface. To freshen up:

Sprinkle baking soda, leave overnight, then vacuum.
Use white vinegar spray (diluted 1:1 with water).
Air out the space or use a dehumidifier.

If smells return quickly, your underlay or subfloor might be the issue. In that case, replacing your carpet may be a more effective solution.

6. Should You Clean or Replace Your Carpet?

It’s not always easy to know when cleaning just isn’t enough. If you’ve tried everything and your carpet still looks or smells off, it might be time to consider replacing it.

Here are some signs it may be time to replace:

Frayed or flattened fibres
Lingering odours after cleaning
Water damage or mould
Allergies worsening at home

A professional installer can help you decide if you should clean or replace your carpet, especially if your carpet is over 10 years old or has been in a high-traffic area.

7. Choose the Right Tools and Products

Using the wrong products can do more harm than good. Harsh chemicals can damage fibres, and the wrong vacuum might not clean deeply enough. Having the right carpet care kit on hand saves you stress when spills happen.

A quality vacuum with HEPA filter
Wool-safe or pH-neutral carpet shampoo
Enzyme-based spot remover
Baking soda and white vinegar
Microfibre cloths or white towels

Avoid bleach, generic all-purpose cleaners, or anything too harsh on fibres.

8. Simple Habits That Help Keep Your Carpet Clean

Daily routines and small changes can go a long way in maintaining clean, healthy carpets between deep cleans. These simple carpet care maintenance tips also support your overall flooring, helping reduce dirt build-up and wear.:

Keep shoes off the carpet. Shoes track in dirt, bacteria, and moisture, which wears out carpet fibres faster.
Place doormats at every entry. They help catch dirt before it gets walked through your home.
Use rugs in high-traffic areas. They protect the main walkways and are easier to clean or replace.
Brush and bathe pets regularly. This reduces fur, dander, and odours collecting in the carpet.
Open windows regularly. Good airflow helps prevent musty smells and improves indoor air quality.

Making these habits part of your routine will keep your carpet looking fresher, longer.

Need a Fresh Start? Call the Experts!

If your carpet has seen better days, Carpet Sales Centre is here to help. With a wide range of styles and expert installation across Melbourne, we make it easy to refresh your home.

Explore our carpet store or book our mobile showroom for a personalised consultation at your door. Alternatively, you can simply call our team on 03 9357 8444 to speak with a carpet expert today.