How do I clean a carpet?

The latest trends have paid off, and you've chosen a carpet that you love and that goes well with your decor. But how do you keep your carpet looking its best? We'll give you a helping hand: here's our unbeatable advice on how to clean it with a few quick and easy steps.

Before you start cleaning, it's a good idea to wash your carpet once a year. And it's better to wash the whole carpet to prevent the appearance of gnats. And before you roll up your sleeves, the first essential step is to vacuum your carpet almost every day. Yes, carpet maintenance is a daily affair!

After vacuuming, switch to a soap-and-water combo (this can be black soap or your dishwashing liquid), take a wet sponge and rub the entire surface. To dry, use a microfiber cloth and pat lightly.

As a veritable nest of microbes, carpets require a major treatment: consider disinfecting them with baking soda. Sprinkle a pinch on every corner of the carpet, leave for 15 minutes, then vacuum up.

And if you just want to give your carpet a facelift by reviving its colors, dampen it with sparkling water (grandma's little trick), leave to soak and then brush gently.

Another tip: steam cleaning. Practical, it works with hot water and the steam eradicates the slightest stain. As with the other techniques, you'll need to leave your carpet to dry after steam cleaning. And if you don't have your own steam cleaner, you can rent one.

To erase furniture marks from your carpet, consider using your iron, and remember to change the direction of your carpet to avoid wear marks.

If you have a Berber, Persian or ethnic rug with sequins, for example, avoid using the vacuum cleaner in brushing mode, as this may damage your beautiful rug.