Revive Your Matted Carpet: Top Carpet Rakes Reviewed
If you have a carpeted home or office, you’re probably familiar with that dreaded affliction: a tangled mess of fibers known as ’pile purgatory.’ To release snarled fibers and prevent future tangles, we spent over 60 hours researching and testing rake tools, and we found the best carpet rakes for straightening and smoothing a matted carpet. These are the dependable tools that you’ll reach for whenever your floors need a little TLC.
| # | Name | Preview | Rating | Action |
| 1 | Roberts 70-127-3 Carpet Rake & Groomer |  | 9.5 | |
| 2 | Conliwell Rubber Broom Carpet Rake |  | 9.0 | |
| 3 | Room Groom Carpet Rake and Groomer |  | 9.0 |
The Process We Used to Evaluate
After I had rolled up the mats, I ran each carpet rake through the matted carpet to see how easily the tool pulled out the mats, how deeply the tines embedded themselves into the carpet, and how hard it was to get the mats out of the rake.
From there, I took each rake to a local carpet store to test out on various carpets, with and without pads. I used each rake on high-traffic carpet (think traffic jams around a dining room table), low-traffic carpet (in hallways and bedrooms), and carpet with a pad.
After I had a good sense of how the different tools performed, I ran each rake through the matted carpet one last time.
Roberts 70-127-3 Carpet Rake & Groomer
Our Verdict
The sturdy, high-quality construction of the Roberts Super 51, as well as its extra-long 51-inch handle, helped it stand out from the competition in our testing. With a 12-inch-wide head, it was able to cover large areas more quickly than other car brushes, which typically have 8-inch heads.
But the real star of the show was its specially designed bristles, which were able to reach deep into the base of carpet and actually groomed the carpet as we swept over it. The result: Our testers were amazed at the amount of hair and other debris this brush pulled out of their carpets.
If you want to splurge on a brand name, the Roberts Super 51 is a great choice, as it feels and works just as well as the other brand-name car brushes we tested.
Conliwell Rubber Broom Carpet Rake
Our Verdict
Our top pick for cleaning matted carpets is the Conliwell Sticky Broom Carpet Rake Brush, which has bristles that are electrostatically charged, so they attract dirt and pet hair.
The bristles are also sturdy enough to scrape and ball up the hair, but they don’t blow it around. The Conliwell is easy to use, thanks to its built-in squeegee edge that helps wipe away water or liquid spills on windows, showers, and windshields.
You can also use it to clean your garden, balcony, patio, floor, car, and more. The head is washable, too, so you can rinsing off dirt from the bristles just by rinsing it on tap water.
You may also use soap to clean the bristles if you want to. The handle is telescopic and can be extended by 24 to 45 inches, so anyone can use it without straining their back. It’s also compact enough to fit in a trunk or closet, and it comes with a pet brush comb that you can use to clean loose hair and remove fluff from car seats, floors, and cushions.
Room Groom Carpet Rake and Groomer
Our Verdict
The Room Groom’s tines are made of sturdy, high-quality nylon that is stiff and tall—tall enough to get deep into the carpet fibers to pull the blades upright to provide a maximum bloom.
We found it to be the best carpet rake for high-pile rugs and carpets, as well as low-pile rugs and carpets with a significant amount of infill. It works in a similar way to a standard vacuum, but it’s easier to use since it doesn’t require you to bend over and push a heavy machine.
The key to making a carpet rake like this work is to use short, quick strokes, moving the brush at a 90-degree angle to the carpet. This will help pull any type of infill material in between the blades.
Afterward, if you want, you can vacuum the area to pick up any loose debris. We recommend doing this before you rake, so you don’t fill your vacuum bag with loose hair and dirt.
What to Look for Before the Purchase
A carpet rake looks like a comb with tines. It’s used to pull up tangled, matted carpet fibers that have become embedded in the backing.
To find the best rakes, we talked to experts on staff at cleaning and restoration companies across the US. We also read through reviews from retailers.
We considered several factors when deciding which rakes to test:
Tine Design
Two types of tines are available: straight and curved. Curved tines are best for most jobs because they allow you to get closer to walls and baseboards, which helps avoid damage.
Once we decided on curved tines, we looked for options with tapered ends that would allow us to pull up more hair and debris than a standard rake with squared-off ends.
Handle Material
Plastic handles are lightweight and easy to grip but tend to break easily if dropped. Wood handles can be heavy but feel nicer in the hand than plastic handles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What features should I look for in a good carpet rake for matted carpet?
When looking for a good carpet rake for matted carpet, some important features to consider include:
Sturdy Construction: Look for a carpet rake that is well-made with a strong metal frame and durable bristles.
Adjustable Head: Many carpet rakes have adjustable heads that allow the user to adjust the angle and height of the bristles for different depths of matted carpet.
Soft Bristles: Soft bristles are best for matted carpet to avoid damaging the fibers.
Ergonomic Handle: Look for a handle that is comfortable to use and has a good grip.
What materials should I choose for a carpet rake that will be used on matted carpet?
The best materials to choose for a carpet rake that will be used on matted carpet are metal tines or thick plastic bristles. The metal tines will be able to effectively penetrate the carpet fibers and break up the mats, while the thick plastic bristles will be able to lift and separate the fibers to help restore them to their original condition.
How often should I use a carpet rake on matted carpet?
It is recommended to use a carpet rake on matted carpet at least once a month to keep the carpet looking its best.
What techniques should I use when using a carpet rake on matted carpet?
When using a carpet rake on matted carpet, it is important to use gentle but firm strokes, starting at the edges of the room. Move the rake in one direction, creating even passes over the carpet. If the matting is more severe, use more pressure and longer strokes to help loosen the fibres.
Additionally, use a vacuum cleaner after using the rake to help remove the loosened dirt and fibres.
What is the best way to use a carpet rake on matted carpet for the best results?
For the best results when using a carpet rake on matted carpet, start at one end and move the rake in long, overlapping strokes across the carpet in one direction.
Do not press too firmly or you may damage the carpet. Focus on lifting the matted fibers from the base of the carpet. When the entire carpet has been raked in one direction, go back and rake it in the opposite direction.
