The best way to do this is to take a towel out of the washing machine when it's still damp. Lay it over the flattened area and then gently run a warm (not hot) iron over it. Repeat until the carpet fibers pop back up again. The heat and damp will help reset the fibers, and you'll end up with a nice fluffy carpet again.
Fluff it up
Matted carpet can easily be brought back to life. Spritz a little warm water onto the matted area then gently blow-dry with a hairdryer as you fluff the carpet fibres back into place with your fingers, the edge of a spoon or a hairpin. Allow the carpet to dry completely before walking on it.
Steps to take:
Liberally sprinkle baking soda atop the entire carpet surface. Using the stiff brush, work in several angles to deeply penetrate the carpeting fibers with the baking soda. Allow the baking powder to stay in place at least 12 hours. Vacuum the baking soda up thoroughly.
Baking soda absorbs and neutralizes odors, making it the absolute MVP carpet cleaner. Powders are super easy: Simply sprinkle them on, let them sit and work their magic, then vacuum them up.
Using baking soda as a carpet cleaner can help to freshen and revitalize your carpets in between regular professional cleanings. Baking soda is an inexpensive solution that is safe for your entire family and the environment; it will even help to get rid of odors and stains with ease.
Regular vacuuming and professional cleaning can help fix matting. Water, heat, or steam are also effective ways to unflatten carpet.
Get a clean white piece of cloth and slightly soak it in water. Place the damp cloth over the matted areas and iron the fibers on the covered area back and forth until they straighten and stand proud. Repeat the process with the wet towel until you finish straightening all knotty areas on the carpet.
If there is a clearly defined path of flattened carpet fibers or the entire carpet looks crushed, the resilience of the fibers can often be restored by cleaning the carpet. While you can tackle just the worst-looking areas, an overall deep clean will make the entire carpet look brighter and fluffier.
Apply vinegar: Another low-cost option for those cleaning on their own is a mixture of water and vinegar. The acidity of the vinegar will neutralise the high pH left by a strong cleansing solution, which in turn will make your carpet soft again.
As the water slowly evaporates and the carpet dries, the residual soap and chemicals dry into the carpet fibers. It is this residue that gives the carpet a stiff, sticky, hard or "crunchy" texture. It is quite similar to how your hair would feel if you rubbed shampoo into it but did not properly rinse the shampoo out.
Carpet flattening or pile packing is caused by the loss of yarn resilience. When carpet starts to flatten it will start to lose its elasticity (or springiness). Different types of carpet have different levels of resilience.
The only way to fix rippled carpet is to stretch the carpet again. Re-stretching requires training and patience. Often it is more difficult to re-stretch a carpet than it is to stretch it right the first time. If ripples are ignored for too long, the carpet will develop buckles.
The best way to get wrinkles out of a carpet is to re-stretch it. Steaming, ironing, flattening, applying ice, and other popular fixes for wrinkled carpeting are ineffective at best and damaging at worst. Much like smoothing out a bedspread, you need to pull the carpeting outward from the edges to eliminate wrinkles.
What Can I Do About Crunchy Carpet? Unfortunately, there is not much you can do on your own to fix this problem. We recommend that you stay clear of shampooing it again - that will just make the situation worse!
Simply laying a rug upside down in direct sunlight for a few hours will help relax the fibers and flatten the rug. However, if the sun is ineffective or not working fast enough, you can speed up the process with a steamer, an iron set to steam or a hair dryer.
How Long Do You Leave Baking Soda on Carpet? When cleaning your carpet with baking soda, let it sit for at least 15 minutes. The longer the baking soda stays on the rug, the more odor, dirt, and oil it will absorb, for a more thorough clean. Try leaving baking soda on the carpet overnight and vacuuming in the morning.
Why Use Baking Soda On Your Carpet. Baking soda is a proven odor absorber, plus it's cheap and all-natural. “Baking soda's particles go deep down into the carpet, past the point you can't even see, all the way to the base to absorb and neutralize odors.
Pour a small amount of vinegar on the stain, followed by a sprinkle of baking soda. The vinegar works to saturate and soften up the offending mark while the baking soda does the lifting and deodorizing. Together, they bubble a little and work as a team to lift the stain to the surface.
It's really straightforward – all you need to do is sprinkle a generous among of baking soda over your wet carpet and let it sit. The baking soda not only absorbs moisture, but it'll also absorb any nasty odours.
Leave the mixture to rest for one hour, giving ample time for the vinegar to react with the baking soda, thus softening the stain. Gently scrub the stained area with the scrubbing brush and wipe off the mixture with a dry cloth piece. Vacuum the area to remove any baking soda and vinegar residue.
This can move along a lot quicker if you use vinegar and baking soda together, but baking soda on the stain by itself on the stain can be effective. Allow the baking soda to neutralise a stain overnight. 8 hours is beneficial but 12 hours is ideal.
Wool is one of the most resilient fibres. It's natural, sustainable and good looking too. The natural spring in the fibres means your wool carpet will recover quickly from footfall to stay looking fresh. Not only are they super soft, but wool carpets are easy to clean too.