1. Home
  2. Blog
  3. Carpet cleaning

How to keep your carpet clean through the holidays.

A bedroom carpet with fresh cleaning lines after an In & Out deep clean

Between Thanksgiving and New Year's, your carpet works harder than any other time of the year. More guests, more food, wet shoes on rainy December days and a tree dropping needles in the corner. Here's how we'd handle it, from the team that cleans carpets across Hampton Roads every week.

  • Deep clean 1 to 2 weeks before guests
  • Set up a shoes-off spot by the door
  • Blot spills right away with cold water
  • Book a follow-up clean in January

Before guests arrive.

01

Book a deep clean early

One to two weeks before your first gathering gives you clean carpet with time to spare. Holiday weeks fill up fast.

02

Vacuum the traffic lanes slowly

Hallways, the path to the couch and the spot in front of the TV hold the most grit. Go slow so the vacuum has time to pull it up.

03

Don't forget the couch

Guests sit on your sofa more than they walk on your carpet. We clean sofas, sectionals and chairs at your place.

04

Move furniture first

If you're rearranging for extra seating, do it before the clean so the spots that are usually covered get cleaned too.

6 habits for the season.

Set up a shoes-off spot

A mat outside, a mat inside and a basket or rack for shoes. Wet shoes carry dirt straight into the fibers.

Put a runner in the entry

A washable runner by the front door catches what the mats miss.

Keep a spill kit handy

White cloths, a spray bottle of cold water and a little clear dish soap. Acting fast is what saves carpet.

Vacuum every couple of days

Crumbs, glitter and pine needles get ground in when they're walked on.

Protect the floor under the tree

A tree mat or tray catches water and sap before it stains the carpet and soaks the pad.

Give pets their own spot

A blanket or bed in their favorite corner keeps hair and paw dirt in one place.

Quick stain guide.

The rule for almost everything: blot, don't rub. Rubbing pushes the stain deeper and roughs up the fibers. Work from the outside in, and test any cleaner on a hidden spot first.

Mud and wet dirt spilled on beige carpet

Mud and wet dirt

  1. Let it dry all the way.
  2. Vacuum it up.
  3. Treat any mark that's left with the dish soap mix.
Red wine and cranberry spilled on beige carpet

Red wine and cranberry

  1. Blot right away with a white cloth.
  2. Dab with cold water, then a few drops of clear dish soap in a cup of cold water.
  3. Rinse with plain water and blot dry.
Gravy, butter and grease spilled on beige carpet

Gravy, butter and grease

  1. Scrape up what you can.
  2. Blot with the dish soap mix, which breaks down grease.
  3. Rinse and blot. Greasy spots often need a deep clean to fully lift.
Pet accidents spilled on beige carpet

Pet accidents

  1. Blot up as much as you can.
  2. Rinse with cold water and blot again.
  3. If the smell comes back, it reached the pad. That needs a deep clean.

When to call a pro.

  • Stains that come back after you clean them
  • Dark traffic lanes that vacuuming doesn't fix
  • Smells from pets, smoke or old spills
  • Carpet that feels stiff or sticky

We clean with a truck-mounted system that pulls dirt and residue from deep in the carpet, not just the surface. It's the same setup we bring to offices and restaurants.

$50 per room

2-room minimum. Final price depends on the size and condition of your rooms. Sofas, chairs and office carpet get a free quote. See all carpet prices.

Apartment or condo? Call to book so we can bring the right setup for your building.

A living room carpet with fresh cleaning lines
A living room we cleaned. The lines run wall to wall, so nothing gets missed.

Hosting the office party?

We clean office, restaurant, waiting room and daycare carpet after hours, so it's ready before the party and back to normal after it.

After the holidays.

January is a good time for a second clean. It pulls out what the season left behind before it settles in for good, and it's a fresh start for the new year.

Stephon cleaning restaurant carpet with a truck-mounted wand
Cleaning restaurant carpet after hours.

Common questions.

How often should I deep clean my carpet?

Most homes do well with a deep clean every 6 to 12 months. Homes with kids, pets or a lot of guests may want it more often.

How long does carpet take to dry?

It depends on the carpet, the weather and the airflow in the room. We'll tell you what to expect for your home. Running a fan or the AC helps.

Do you clean couches and chairs?

Yes. We clean sofas, sectionals and chairs at your place. Send a photo for a free quote.

What areas do you serve?

Portsmouth, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Suffolk, Hampton, Newport News and the rest of Hampton Roads.

Get your carpet guest-ready.

Starting at $50 per room, 2-room minimum. Book online, or call or text photos for a free quote.

Call Book now