- 1). Read the manufacturer's instructions for your carpet. Many manufacturers provide cleaning and maintenance instructions, and some even produce their own line of cleaning products designed to work with their brand of carpet. Consult the manufacturer for cleaning and maintenance tips, or to purchase appropriate cleaning products.
- 2). Consider the function of each product. Carpet cleaning products are generally designed as stain removers, deodorizers or shampoos. To treat small areas or stains, look for stain removal products. To remove odors and some dirt, apply a deodorizer. If you simply want to freshen up the carpet and remove dirt accumulations, choose a carpet shampoo.
- 3). Check the label on each product to see how it should be applied. Many are sprayed on, then scrubbed by hand. Others are vacuumed up with a standard vacuum, while some products are designed to work with cleaning or shampoo machines. For the most deep-down clean, rent a carpet-cleaning machine and choose a matching cleaning product. For everyday cleaning, stick to products that can be scrubbed by hand or vacuumed.
- 4). Find a cleaner designed for your carpet material. For the best results, choose cleaners designed specifically for your material, whether its wool, nylon or some other synthetic material. Check the label to determine which materials each product can be used with.
- 5). Compare wet and dry cleaning products. Dry chemical products absorb dirt and wet stains, but are not generally as effective as wet cleaners, particularly when it comes to dried-on stains. Dry chemical cleaners cut drying time dramatically, however, and allow you to walk on your carpet again right away without waiting for it to dry.
- 6). Look for the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) seal of approval, which is only displayed on products that meet CRI's strict testing standards. CRI asserts that products with this seal not only work as promised, but also won't damage your carpet if used as directed. Cleaning products with the CRI seal are also considered "green," which means they do not contain hazardous ingredients that can reduce air quality in your home.
- 7). Consult the CRI website to find specific cleaning product recommendations for a wide variety of stains. CRI provides a list of spot solutions for everything from avocado to wine, including which products to use and how to best apply them.
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