When a carpet looks beyond saving — stained, greasy, smelly, and heavily soiled — you need more than a standard cleaner. Trashed carpets are common in rental properties, pubs, restaurants, and busy family homes.

The good news? With the right products and process, even the worst carpets can be restored.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to clean a trashed carpet step by step using BrightChem’s High Performance Pre-Spray and High Performance Rinse.

Step 1: Apply High Performance Pre-Spray

The first step in deep-cleaning a trashed carpet is breaking down heavy dirt and grease.

Mixing Ratio:

• Dilute 60ml per litre of water extreme cases use 120mL per litre

Application:

• Spray heavily across the carpet in overlapping passes to ensure even coverage.

Dwell Time:

• Leave for 15 minutes to allow the solution to penetrate deep into fibres.

For extremely dirty areas, you can agitate the carpet with a brush or mechanical scrubber

Why this works:
BrightChem’s High Performance Pre-Spray is a high-alkaline solvent pre-spray formulated for extremely greasy carpets, upholstery, and rugs. It breaks down embedded soils, food spills, body oils, and ground-in dirt that standard pre-sprays can’t tackle.

Step 2: Rinse Extract with High Performance Rinse

Once the pre-spray has loosened the dirt, it’s time to flush it out.

Mixing Ratio:

• Add 15mL per 10 litres or for extreme cases 30ml per 10 litres of water in your clean tank.

Extraction:

• Use your wand to make slow wet passes, followed by two dry passes to maximise recovery.

Finishing Touch:

• Groom the carpet fibres in a uniform direction for a professional look.

Why this works:
BrightChem’s High Performance Rinse neutralises soils and removes pre-spray residues, leaving the carpet brighter, fresher, and free of chemical build-up.

On polypropylene and polyester carpets, zig-zag or “shark teeth” patterns won’t damage the pile, but always finish with a neat, uniform look.

Step 3: Spot Clean Stubborn Stains

Even after a full extraction, some stubborn stains may remain. These should be treated with a suitable spot cleaning product.

Common stains that may need spotting include:

• Coffee, tea, and wine use: High Power Urine Neutraliser 

• Ink or paint use: Solvent Spotter  Stain Remover

• Food and drink spills use: WS Hybrid Prespray

• Pet accidents use: High Power Urine Neutraliser 

For best results, follow the BrightChem Spotting Guide to match the right product to each stain type.

Step 4: Deodorise for a Fresh Finish

To finish the job, add a deodoriser for lasting freshness.

Options:

• Add deodoriser directly into your rinse tank

• Lightly mist over the carpet after cleaning

This step removes lingering odours from pets, smoke, food, or dampness, leaving the carpet smelling as good as it looks.

Why Use BrightChem for Trashed Carpets?

✔ Professional-grade performance – tackles extreme soiling with ease
✔ High alkaline cleaning power – lifts grease and heavy dirt
✔ Safe on fibres – when used correctly
✔ Complete system – pre-spray, rinse, spotting, and deodorising