How to Re-fluff Matted Carpet

Carpets can become matted over time, especially in high-traffic areas where the steady weight of bodies pushes down on the carpet fibers. The weight of furniture can severely mat a carpet, which tends to be difficult to remove. Fortunately, you may be able to re-fluff or revive your matted carpet so it is again appears to have a plush, uniform pile.

Carpet brush
Vacuum
Steam iron or steamer
Knitting needle, screwdriver or mechanical pencil

Instructions

- 1
  Brush the matted areas in a raking motion using a carpet brush, available where carpets, vacuums and other household items are sold. This will help lift the matted fibers, especially everyday matting in high-traffic areas.
- 2
  Vacuum your carpet after raking. Proceed to the next step if the carpet is still matted.
- 3
  Hold a steam iron or steamer just above severely matted areas of your carpet. Don't let it touch; if it touches, you risk burning the carpet. Steam each matted area for about one minute until the fibers puff up with water. Afterward, brush and vacuum the carpet.
- 4
  Manually pull up the carpet fibers if they are still matted. A knitting needle, screwdriver or mechanical pencil (with no pencil tip) works well since they are easy to get under the matted fibers one by one so you can lift and loosen them each of them up. Afterward, try the steam ironing trick again, then brush and vacuum to finish lifting the carpet fibers up and help the carpet look more uniform.

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