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Performing carper cleaning services without professional help is something that nearly any homeowner can tackle on their own. Whether you’re seeking to deep clean an entire home’s worth of carpet or want to steam and polish up a living room rug that sits prominently in your home, working on this project without professional assistance can be a good option.

According to Angi, DIY carpet cleaning is cheaper than hiring a pro to perform the service for you, and with a few essential tools and some elbow grease, the task doesn’t have to be that difficult or time-consuming. If you’re up for a weekend project, consider cleaning your own carpets.

Start by vacuuming the area with reckless abandon

Vacuuming should be your first stop in the process of really cleaning the carpeting. Vacuuming picks up debris, hair, and other elements that have become stuck in the carpet pile. During this first step, it’s important to take your time and work the vacuum over the carpet from several angles and for a lengthy period of time. Lift any loose debris in the carpet fibers with the vacuum before starting any other part of the cleaning process. This process might require three, four, or even five passes over the surface from different angles, but it will be worth it in the end.

Use a scraper to remove embedded pet hair

Pet hair is one of the main culprits for dirty-looking and feeling carpets. Pets shed like crazy, and their hair ends up deep in the carpeting and trapped in the fibers. A pet hair scraping tool is an ideal addition to any home that plays host to a dog or cat, and using one is a necessary step for any homeowner sharing space with a beloved animal. Over 80 million U.S. households include either a dog or cat (via American Veterinary Medical Association).

These scrapers require manual labor and potentially a lot of it, but the difference they make in removing pet hair from a carpeted surface is immense (via YouTube). There isn’t anything like a hair scraper when lifting out this entrenched feature of pet ownership.

Select a soap and apply it to the carpet

You’ll want to take some time to find a cleaning solution that works (via YouTube). Generally speaking, you’ll purchase a concentrated soap and dilute it with water before use. Mixing your solution following the product’s guidance is essential to protect your skin and carpeting. Then, apply the soap evenly across the surface and allow it to take root in the fibers for the best results.

Power up the steamer and finish off the job

Steam cleaners release hot water into the carpet fibers and apply significant heat to the surface to steam away the liquid, leaving a cleaned surface in their wake. Renting a steam cleaner is relatively cheap and can be highly effective if utilized correctly.

It’s always a good idea to acquaint yourself with the controls and directions for use before starting on this project. The equipment isn’t particularly hazardous, but improper use can burn or warp your carpet. Reading any instructions that come with the unit will help you avoid potential setbacks in the home. Likewise, you usually rent carpet steamers by the day, so it’s a good idea to make two or even three passes over the surface to make the most of your rental and get the carpet as clean as possible.