Guide · Home care
Carpet Care
A friendly, practical guide to keeping carpet clean and fresh, from vacuuming and spot cleaning to pets, deep cleaning and understanding normal wear.
Where to start
- Just spilled something?
Blot, never rub. See if something spills or stains.
- Water soaked in from a leak?
Start drying it and share it right away, in writing.
- Just want good habits?
Start with the checklist. Vacuum often.
The short version
Carpet makes a home soft and warm, and a few easy habits keep it fresh and help it last.
Vacuum often, blot spills right away without rubbing, and leave shoes at the door.
Test cleaners on a hidden spot, don’t over-wet carpet, and protect it from furniture dents and sun fading.
Traffic paths and light fading are normal wear. Share stains, ripples or water damage early.
Rules about wear and cleaning charges differ from place to place, so we’d gently encourage a quick look at the rules where your home is. If you ever have questions, we would love to help.
Four simple rules
- 1Vacuum often
Grit wears carpet fibers like sandpaper. Regular vacuuming is the best thing you can do.
- 2Blot, never rub
Blot spills from the outside in. Rubbing spreads stains and damages fibers.
- 3Shoes off at the door
Leaving shoes at the door keeps out dirt, grit and outdoor pollutants.
- 4Test before you treat
Try any cleaner on a hidden spot first, and follow the label.
Your carpet care checklist
From the guide’s own checklist. Tick each one as you go. These are examples; your home may need others.
All done. Soft, clean and lasting.
If something spills or stains
- Act quickly. A fresh spill is much easier than an old stain.
- Scoop up solids, then blot liquids with a clean white cloth or paper towel.
- Blot with a little cool water and a drop of mild dish soap, then blot again with plain water.
- Blot dry, then stack a few plain white paper towels on the spot and set a heavy book on top overnight.
- If water soaked in from a leak or a flood, start drying it and share it right away.
- Take photos of any stain you can’t remove and share it in writing.
Pet accidents. Blot thoroughly, rinse with cool water and use an enzyme cleaner made for pet stains. Skip steam on a fresh accident, since heat can set the odor.
Gum and wax. Freeze gum with an ice cube and gently lift it off. For candle wax, ask before trying any heat method, since heat can damage some carpets.
Furniture dents. Set an ice cube in the dent, let it melt and dry, then gently fluff the fibers with your fingers.
You did exactly the right thing.
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Go deeper with The Perfect Move-Out Checklist Workbook
Simple, step by step checklists you can write in for moving out: giving notice, cleaning, the pre move out walk, deposits, renewals and more.
Keep the full guide handy
The PDF has everything: everyday habits, what to do when something goes wrong, common myths, helpful resources and plenty of real-world tips. Print it, save it or share it with anyone who could use it.
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This guide shares general information to help you, and is not legal advice. Please follow the maker’s and product’s instructions. Bunklow does not inspect properties or decide deposits.