Vacuum the carpet thoroughly to remove all dirt and debris. It helps to flip it over and vacuum both sides.
Fill a bucket with warm water and add enough of a mild dish soap to make it sudsy.
Dip a sponge in the solution and gently scrub in the direction of the nap. Work on one side of the rug and work your way down. If there are fringes on the carpet, use a soft bristle brush dipped in the soapy water to clean them.
Rinse the carpet by either placing it in the shower or taking it outside and running water over it from the garden hose.
Lay the carpet flat and use a squeegee to remove any residual water from the carpet.
Set the carpet outside to dry lying flat. If you have to do this inside, set a fan nearby and turn it on so it can circulate air over the carpet.
Flip the carpet over when one side the top is dry to make sure the other side dries completely as well.
Vacuum the carpet after it has dried to help fluff it back up.