DIY guideFloors

Deep-clean the carpet: rent a machine or book it

Vacuum slowly, treat the spots, then hot-water extraction in slow passes from the far wall, and dry it fast. Or book a carpet cleaner.

7 steps

Tap a step to watch it again.

Move light furniture out. Put foil or plastic under the legs of whatever stays.
Vacuum the whole carpet slowly, both ways. Most of the dirt comes out here.
Dab the stains with the machine's spot cleaner, and blot. Don't rub.
Fill the rented machine's clean tank with hot water and only as much cleaner as its label says. Too much leaves it sticky.
Start at the far wall and work toward the door. Push forward spraying, then pull back slowly with the trigger off.
Keep the cord out of the water, and empty the dirty tank often.
Open the windows and run fans, and a dehumidifier if you have one. Keep off it until it's dry.
A musty smell after it dries, stains that come back up, or a soaked pad underneath: ask Handyman for a carpet cleaner.

Handyman says: Musty or soaked? I'll find a cleaner.

Free for every home. Handyman asks a few questions, then books a pro it trusts.