Bicarbonate of soda sprinkled liberally left overnight then vacuumed up should refresh carpets.
Steam cleaning is probably the best way it cleans and kills germs.
You can use dish detergent in a little hot water. Use and old toothbrush to work the detergent in and sort of brush through the hairs of the carpet. Rinse with a damp cloth.
You may also want to try some bubble bath as well. Pleasedo try these two ways. They work.
Good Luck.
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It depends whether you want to clean them or freshen them up, you will not clean them properly without a detergent. Steamers will certainly freshen them up, but you would be better of hiring a carpet cleaner for the day, from your local hire shop or diy store. I can tell you it is possible to scrub them by hand using a washing machine detergent (low suds) I have done it myself, but it is hard work, you need to take it out in the yard, and hose it off when finished, then hang on a line to dry, or lay it face down on the lawn.
You need really hot weather so that it dries quickly. You also want to hoover it or better still beat it before you start to get the grit out. When I was a lad my grandmother used to sprinkle damp tea leaves on her rugs, then take them outside and beat them, she was a Victorian house maid.
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