Carpet Care and Maintenance: How to Keep Carpet Looking Good

Good carpet care comes down to three habits: vacuum often, deal with spills straight away and book a professional clean when your carpet’s care guide says to. These carpet maintenance tips cover the weekly routine, stain first aid, each fibre, and the small things that help, from entrance mats to stairs.

How often should you vacuum carpet?

Vacuum at least once a week, and more often in hallways, entries and living areas. Grit in the pile rubs against the fibres and makes busy areas look dull.

• Go slowly. The wool care guide on our Carramar 4M page suggests three passes for light soiling and five to seven for heavy soiling.
• Work against the pile, then with it. This lifts the pile, loosens dirt and leaves an even finish.
• Match the vacuum to the carpet. Use suction only on loop pile, because a beater bar can fuzz the loops. On thick cut pile, raise the head so the brush only lightly touches the surface.
• Expect some fluff at first. New cut pile carpet sheds loose fibres for a while, which is normal.

What should you do when you spill something on carpet?

Act fast. A spill is much easier to lift while it is still wet.

1. Scoop up any solids with a spoon or blunt knife.
2. Blot liquids with white paper towel or a clean white cloth, working from the outside in. Never rub or scrub, as that spreads the stain and fuzzes the pile.
3. Dab on a little clean water (warm water for wool, as its care guide recommends) and blot again. Many food and drink spills come out with water alone.
4. If a mark is left, use a carpet cleaner that suits your fibre. Test it on a hidden spot first.
5. Rinse with clean water, blot well, then leave paper towel under a flat weight on the spot until it dries.

If a stain comes back as the carpet dries, it has wicked up from deeper in the pile, so repeat the steps. Rinse well after any cleaner, because leftover detergent leaves a sticky film that attracts dirt. Keep bleach, oven cleaners, mould removers and pool chemicals away from carpet, and call a professional cleaner for stubborn marks.

For pet accidents, an enzyme cleaner made for carpet can help with odour. Some enzyme cleaners are not suitable for wool, so on wool carpet check the care guide and make sure the label says it is safe for wool first. Our pet-friendly carpet guide covers carpets that cope well with pets.

How do you care for different carpet fibres?

Each fibre handles spills a little differently. Your range’s care guide has the final say.

Wool carpet

Wool has natural soil resistance, but spills still need prompt attention. The wool care guide on our Carramar 4M page recommends warm water for most food and drink spills, then a mild mix of laundry detergent and white vinegar if a mark remains. Ravine 4M and Tranquil Texture carry the same guide. Browse our wool carpet.

Solution-dyed nylon carpet

The colour runs right through the fibre, so it holds its colour well when you treat a spill. Grit still wears it, so keep vacuuming. See Pacific, Andes Peak and all our nylon carpet.

Polyester carpet

Polyester is soft and holds its colour well. Blot oily spills straight away, and move furniture now and then so busy areas do not flatten. See Skyway, Wild River and our polyester carpet page.

Triexta carpet

Triexta has its stain resistance built into the fibre. Our Freedom range is cleanable with cold water, and Nightfall is also triexta. Read more on our triexta carpet page.

Polypropylene carpet

Its colour is added when the fibre is made, so it handles most water-based spills. Oily soil can cling, so vacuum often and lift furniture instead of dragging it. See Hastings Street and our polypropylene carpet page. Polypropylene ranges such as Savanna are made with rentals in mind, as our guide to the best carpets for rental properties explains.

Choosing new carpet that is easy to look after? Book a free measure and quote and we will bring samples to your home, or compare every range on our carpet page.

How often should carpet be professionally cleaned?

Follow the interval in your carpet’s care guide. The wool care guide on our Carramar 4M page recommends hot water extraction, often called steam cleaning, by a professional carpet cleaner every 12 to 18 months depending on use. It advises against shampooing, do-it-yourself steam cleaning and dry cleaning.

This can matter for your warranty. Product warranties come from the manufacturer, and some list regular vacuuming and cleaning in line with the care guide as an owner obligation, so keep your cleaning receipts. See our warranty page. After a clean, let the carpet dry fully before putting rugs back.

How do you fix furniture dents and stop uneven wear?

• Use furniture cups under heavy legs, and shift furniture slightly now and then.
• To lift a dent, let an ice cube melt in it, blot up the water and brush the pile up with your fingers.
• Put a plastic chair mat under desk chairs with castors.
• Lift heavy furniture when you move it. Dragging can stretch carpet and cause ripples.
• Trim a loose tuft level with the pile. Never pull it.

Ripples, open seams and damaged patches can often be fixed without replacing the carpet. Our carpet installation and repair service covers re-stretching, patch repairs and seam repairs.

Does sunlight fade carpet?

Yes. Like any dyed fabric, carpet slowly loses colour in strong, direct sun. Protect sunny rooms with curtains, blinds or awnings, and move rugs and furniture from time to time so the carpet is exposed evenly.

Entrance mats and humid weather

Much of the grit in carpet arrives on shoes. Put a mat outside and inside every external door, and shake or wash it often, because a full mat stops catching dirt.

In humid Sydney and Queensland summers, carpet can ripple. Running the air conditioning or a dehumidifier on sticky days helps.

How do you look after carpet on stairs?

The front edge of each tread takes the most wear. Vacuum each tread and riser weekly with a stair attachment, right into the back corner. If you are choosing stair carpet, look for a range rated for stairs, such as Carramar 4M (Residential Extra Heavy Duty & Stairs, 6 Star) or Freedom (Residential Extra Heavy Duty & Stairs, 5 Star).

Frequently asked questions

How often should I vacuum my carpet?

At least once a week, and more often in hallways, entries and living areas. Vacuum against the pile first, then with it, and use suction only on loop pile carpet.

What is the best way to remove a carpet stain?

Blot it straight away with a white cloth, dab on a little clean water and blot again. If a mark remains, use a carpet cleaner that suits your fibre and test it on a hidden spot first. Never rub or scrub.

How often should carpet be professionally cleaned?

Follow your range’s care guide. The wool care guide on our Carramar 4M page recommends professional hot water extraction every 12 to 18 months, depending on use.

Can I clean triexta carpet with water?

Our Freedom triexta range is cleanable with cold water. Triexta has its stain resistance built into the fibre. For other triexta ranges, check that range’s care guide.

Get help with your carpet

See easy-care carpets in person at our carpet stores in Penrith, Campbelltown, Hornsby or Logan, book a free measure and quote, or call 1300 980 501. With over 20 years of experience, our team can help you choose a carpet that suits the way you live.