Step 6 · Rinse the Carpet

After cleaning, it's essential to rinse the carpet to remove any detergent or cleaning solution residue. If using a carpet extractor, this often involves filling the clean water tank with plain water and going over the carpet again. If cleaning by hand, use a clean cloth dampened with plain water to blot the carpet, or a very light rinse with a spray bottle followed by blotting. Proper rinsing prevents stickiness and re-soiling.