Carpets are a solid investment for any home. Not only do they look great, but they provide more under-foot comfort and shock absorption than concrete, wood, or tile. Despite all of the great benefits that come with having carpet in your home, there is one major drawback.
Even the most luxurious carpet will degrade over time. They’re not exactly the easiest things to keep clean. As you walk over the surface, dirt and debris are driven further down into the fibers. Once shaggy and luxurious carpets start to look noticeably flattened and discolored as the years go by. If you have any pets running around on your carpet, you also have the added obstacle of pet hair, which easily gets tangled within the carpet piles. So what are you supposed to do, replace your carpet every few years?
Raking can help increase the lifespan of your carpet. Carpet rakes are a must-have maintenance tool. When used properly, rakes can breathe new life into dingy carpets. They contain teeth that are designed to get down to the backing, lifting the piles up as you move it across your floors. This process lifts dirt, hair, stubborn food stains, and any other time of mess up to the surface where it can be vacuumed.
A quality carpet rake is capable of making your flooring surface look as good as new when it’s used in tandem with deep cleaning and vacuuming. Here are some solid carpet rakes that are worth the investment and available to buy on Amazon.
Quality Line Universal Carpet Rake
This brush head on this carpet rake is very similar in design to a pet shedding brush, making it a great option for dog and cat owners. The wide head is filled with small metal bristles that are spaced relatively close together. The bristles are angled and flexible enough to not cause damage. The unique shape grabs onto hairs no matter which direction the rake is moving. The handle is made out of industrial-strength plastic. It can telescope to about four feet in length to tackle those hard to reach places. Great for grooming high nap rugs and carpeting.
Pros:
- Durable plastic handle
- Telescoping handle
- Flexible metal bristles
Cons:
- May not be as effective for high-pile carpets
Evriholder FURemover Carpet Squeegee Rake
This versatile cleaning kit can tackle a wide variety of issues. The main rake features a wide rubber head. The pliable bristles can pick up loose hair and dislodge trapped dirt from your carpets. It’s attached to a telescoping plastic handle that can be extended up to 60 inches in length. The brush head also has a built-in squeegee. It can be used to keep liquids contained on hard surfaces. As if the carpet rake wasn’t enough, the kit includes a miniature rake. It’s ideal for small rugs and upholstered furniture.
Pros:
- Rubber broom bristles and head
- Durable plastic handle
- Telescoping handle
- Includes built-in liquid squeegee
- Includes smaller brush for upholstery
Cons:
- May be too flexible for denser carpets
Groom Industries Perky Brush
The Perky Brush from Groom Industries is the ideal carpet rake for those who have deeper carpets and performs really well on heavy foot traffic areas such as the stairs and halls. The rake comes in 3 pieces which easily fits together and has stiff plastic teeth that effectively rake and enhance your carpet.
Suitable for household use.
Roberts Carpet Rake and Groomer
Despite its simple design, this rake is an effective option for all types of carpets. It has a 12-inch long head. Plastic bristles are strong enough to dislodge stubborn dirt and hair, yet flexible enough to not cause damage. The individual bristles are relatively long, so the rake can be used on high-pile carpets without any issues. The rake includes a 51-inch long handle. On the end, there’s a plastic cap that can be used to hang the rake on the wall during storage.
Pros:
- 12-inch head
- Long plastic bristles
- 51-inch handle
- Suitable for most carpets
Cons:
- Doesn’t have a telescoping handle
Grandi Groom Carpet Rake
The Grandi Groom carpet rake is designed to provide you with professional results right in your own home. It features a wide bristle head that measures about 18 inches wide. The head is attached to a 54-inch wooden handle. The bristles are made out of nylon tines which helps to speed up the process of cleaning carpets and improves cleaning efficiency. This material has enough rigidity to lift hair and dirt. However, it can also flex to avoid damaging loops.
Pros:
- 18-inch head
- Durable wooden handle
- 54 inches long
- Nylon bristles
- Can be used on a wide variety of carpets
Cons:
- Doesn’t have a telescoping handle
If you need a rake that can handle tough jobs, this option from Carlisle may do the trick. This versatile cleaning tool is built with professional carpet cleaning in mind, so you won’t have a problem breathing new life into your floors at home. It utilizes long nylon bristles. The bristles can reach down to the carpet pad, even on shag carpets. The bristles are on an 18-inch head, allowing you to cover more ground in a single swipe. A 54-inch wooden handle is included. It’s attached to the head with tough metal for lasting durability.Pros:
- Long nylon bristles
- 54-inch wooden handle
- 18-inch wide head
- Metal neck
Cons:
- Doesn’t have a telescoping handle
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Carpet Rake Buying Guide
Carpet rakes are simple tools that require nothing but good, old-fashioned elbow grease to use. However, that doesn’t mean that they all work the same. Rakes come in a variety of designs to meet your unique needs. Here are some things you should consider when selecting a carpet rake for your home.
Type of Carpet
Before you do any shopping, it’s important that you know what type of carpet you’re dealing with. Carpet manufacturing has evolved quite a bit in the last couple of decades. This means that there are numerous designs, materials, and installation methods available. You need to examine your flooring closely to ensure that you choose a rake that’s equipped to give you the results you’re after.
Generally, a standard rake will work with most types of carpets. However, some types of bristles are more suited to tackle certain jobs. For example, if you have a high-pile carpet, you’re going to need to get a rake with longer bristles if you want to reach all the way down to the carpet pad. Some types of carpets, such as high-density models, will also require a bit more finesse. If your carpet features distinct shapes or patterns, you may need something a bit lighter. Jot down the type of carpet you have and choose a rake accordingly.
Bristle Quality
There are a few types of bristles available. They include rubber, nylon, metal, and silicone. While these materials may seem rigid, they’re actually soft and pliable to the touch. Those are the characteristics that you want in a carpet rake. When compared to dirt and hair, those materials are quite sticky. They can pick up debris easily instead of simply sliding over it.
You should avoid any brush with thick metal bristles. The smooth material will have a harder time latching onto finer hairs. Not only that, but the constant friction produced by the tough material can end up damaging fibers and the carpet pad underneath. If you opt to go with metal bristles, make sure that they’re thin and flexible enough to not do any damage.
Another thing you should pay attention to is the length of the bristles. As we mentioned earlier, it’s recommended that you go with a rake that has longer bristles so that you can reach all the way down to the bottom of the piles. Carpet fiber lengths vary from 1/4 of an inch on low-pile products up to a full inch or more on shag carpets. You can easily find bristle lengths to match your carpets.
Width of Head
The bristles are attached to the rake head. Widths range from 12 inches up to 18. It’s a good idea to take a look at your home and select a product that will help you get the job done efficiently. Wider rake heads can help you cover more surface area in a smaller amount of time. However, they can be cumbersome to deal with, especially around columns, furniture, and tight corners.
Handle
Finally, you need to consider the length of the handle. Using a carpet rake is a lot like using a broom or leaf rake. It’s good to have a handle that complements your height and work style. With that being said, it may be beneficial to get a longer handle. Longer handles are very useful if you have to reach under furniture. Many rakes feature handles as long as 60 inches. Some even have telescoping handles that let you make adjustments as you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the purpose of a carpet rake?
Carpet rakes were designed to be used with a vacuum cleaner. They don’t get rid of the dirt and hair within your fibers. Instead, they make your carpet fibers looser, break up caked on messes, detangle hair, and much more. Essentially, it is meant to be used as a precursor to your vacuum. It will prepare your carpets to ensure that most of the dirt that’s trapped inside can get sucked up and removed.
Q: How do you use a carpet rake?
Using a carpet rake couldn’t be simpler. All you have to do is place the bristles on the carpet surface, then push and pull to loosen up the dirt. Think of it as mopping a floor. It’s the same motions.
Continue this push and pull motion until you have loosed every square inch of your carpeted surface. You should always use the rake before you before you vacuum so that you can get rid of as much dirt as possible. You can also do the same motion after you have vacuumed to style the carpet in a specific pattern.
Q: Can a carpet rake be used with other cleaning methods?
Beyond standard vacuuming, carpet rakes can also be used with deep cleaning methods. Many professional carpet cleaners use these devices to prepare the surface for steaming or washing. Just like if you were only vacuuming, the rake will loosen the fibers so that the carpet is prepared to make contact with the cleaning solution. After wet cleaning, carpet rakes can also be used to bring the nap up for even drying.
Q: How long do carpet rakes last?
A well-built carpet rake can last you for many years. These tools are relatively easy to take care of and store. After use, you should wash the bristles and remove any stubborn dirt. Once it’s dry, you can store it like you would a regular broom. As long as it’s kept safe, you should get many uses out of your investment.
Q: What happens if the rake snags a fiber loop?
This is a common concern among homeowners who have shag carpets. High-pile carpets are often looped to minimize frayed ends. If you’re using the carpet rake gently, there should be no issues to worry about. The bristles are relatively flexible, so they will give in to any pressure and snap right back to shape. The only way you would cause damage to your carpet is if you were being rough with the push and pull motions. In the worst-case scenario, you may pull out the loop slightly. It’s important to be gentle and use the rake with care to avoid these problems.
Q: How often should a carpet rake be used?
You can use your carpet rake every single time you vacuum. You don’t have to limit yourself to just deep cleanings. Regular use will keep your carpet in great condition for many years to come.