How to make carpet fluffy again – 4 ways the pros revive theirs

A flat carpet can be a sore sight, especially compared to how it used to look when you first installed it. Years of foot traffic and accumulated dirt will have a negative effect on a carpet's feel and appearance, and it's only natural to want to make your carpet more fluffy.

As H&G's home tech editor, I cover floorcare almost every day, and fortunately I know some straightforward steps that will revive your carpet to its original fluffiness.

If you're able to move some furniture around and give your carpet a deeper clean then usual, you'll be set. Grab your best vacuum cleaner and get to it.

How to make carpet fluffy again like a pro

Seasoned flooring experts also share their tips on how to make your carpet fluffy again. Follow these four steps and yours should look as full and well-shaped as ever.

1. Vacuum your carpets

First things first – vacuum your carpet thoroughly. 'Remove surface trash by first carefully vacuuming,' explains Geno Caccia, CEO at Caccia Plumbing.

You'll want to vacuum every part of the carpet to remove all debris and pull the carpet fibers upwards, so move furniture around to get to where the legs usually sit. 'The best results come from gentle, overlapping strokes,' Geno suggests.

To really make the most of this step, it's worth using one of the best vacuums for carpets. These powerful vacuum cleaners are able to dig deep into the carpet fibers to remove all the stubborn dirt. And, as many of them are the best upright vacuums, they will have adjustable suction power.

Set yours to max power and watch as your carpet fibers are pulled upward. It might be hard to push the vacuum around but it'll help bring stronger results.

2. Deep clean your carpets

Washing your carpet with an appropriate cleaning solution while agitating the fibers is where you'll start to see it become fluffy again. Carpet becomes flattened due to accumulated dirt weighing down the fibers, so giving it a deep shampoo acts as a reset.

'The best way to make carpet fluffy again is by cleaning,' Kelly Kuehn, interior designer at FLOOR360 explains. 'Have carpets and rugs cleaned professionally using a hot water extraction method. This will remove oils, dirt, stains and odors.' Geno agrees, adding that 'deep steam cleaning carpet will further help you to remove ingrained filth and grime.'

While professional cleaning is the safest and most effective way to deep clean your carpets, you can also do it yourself if you have the right kit. I fully tested and reviewed the Bissell Revolution HydroSteam earlier this year and it actually has everything you need for this process: safe cleaning solutions, hot water extraction, and the ability to steam clean.

If your home is heavily carpeted, a carpet cleaner can prove to be an essential investment. It costs a little up front, but will last for years, preventing future costs of hiring a professional or renting a machine to give carpets the maintenance needed. It'll also help increase the longevity and look of your carpets, meaning they will need replacing less.

If you don't have access to a carpet cleaner, consider renting one or hiring a professional to do this step of the process for you. It's possible to shampoo and clean carpet without a machine, but without a carpet cleaner you won't be able to rinse and extract the moisture, leaving the area at risk of mold and mildew.

3. Use a carpet rake

'Agitate the fibers using a carpet rake or brush once you have cleaned,' Geno advises. While steam washing removes dirt weighing down the carpet fibers, hand raking restores the carpet's original texture and loft.

'Once cleaned, separate and raise individual strands with a carpet rake in several directions,' Geno shares. 'Rake multiple times over a few days in heavily trafficked areas. This approach works well since it deals with the physical structure as well as the cleanliness of the carpet fibers.'

4. Dry completely, then vacuum again

Wait until the carpet has dried completely (you can speed this up using heaters or the best fans), then vacuum again. Always make sure to avoid vacuuming any moisture. Not only will this damage your electronic appliance, it may lead to build up of bacteria, mold and mildew and will be why your vacuum cleaner smells.

Much like the first step of making carpets fluffy again, vacuum again using the highest suction setting and use slow, overlapping strokes to make sure every inch of the carpet is given proper attention.

How to keep your carpet fluffy

Now that your carpet is back to its original fluffiness, these four tips will help keep your carpet fluffy for years to come.

• Vacuum often: Knowing how often to vacuum carpet is essential to maintaining its shape. 'I advise regular vacuuming at least twice a week with an eye toward high-traffic areas if you want carpet fluffiness,' Geno advises, as this will avoid dirt building up and flattening the fibers.
• Use rugs and entrance mats: 'Place mats or area rugs near exterior entrances to trap dirt and soil before it reaches your carpet and causes build-up and your carpet loses its shape,' shares Kelly. Just don't forget to vacuum underneath them when cleaning.
• Move and lift furniture: 'Under heavier objects, use furniture coasters or pads,' recommends Geno as this will better distribute the weight. And to prevent permanent indents, rotate your furniture or move it slightly throughout the year.
• Clean spills, quickly: 'Treat spills right away to stop fiber damage and stains. To prevent spreading the spill, remember to wipe rather than rub,' says Geno.

Next, learn the golden rules of stain removal or how to clean a carpet without a machine.