The American Cleaning Institute (ACI)

Ask ACI: Carpet and Rug Cleaning

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Q. I have a really dirty carpet that I'm looking to get clean. What carpet cleaning can I try before calling in a professional?

The easiest way to have a clean carpet is to keep it from getting dirty, by taking off shoes and limiting bringing food in carpeted areas. Once there is a stain, deal with it quickly, using a carpet cleaner, and always make sure to dab at the stain to lift it out instead of rubbing it further into the fibers. With a carpet that has already gotten quite dirty and dingy, first try using a carpet cleaner for obvious spots, then consider renting a steam cleaner. If that doesn't work, it may be time to bring in a carpet cleaning service.