How to Fix a Patchy Carpet

Use a carpet cookie cutter over the area you want to patch. Rotate the circular cutter back and forth to cut through the carpet and padding. If the carpet is very thick, cut the carpet first, then repeat the process with the padding.

Remove the carpet and padding by prying it up with a screwdriver or pulling it up with your fingers.

Turn a spare piece of carpet on its back side, and cut through it from the back. Try not to cut through the carpet fibers. This will keep the patch intact and dense, so it will fill in the area.

Repeat the process with the carpet padding.

Press the carpet padding into the hole. Rotate it until the grain of the patch matches the grain of the padding. Remember the orientation.

Place double-sided seam tape on the back of the padding patch, and press it into the hole until it is secure.

Determine the direction of the carpet grain by running your hand over the carpet. Notice how the carpet changes appearance when you run your hand over it. Do the same with your piece of replacement carpet to determine how to orient the patch in the carpet.

Place double-sided seam tape on the back of the patch. Rotate the patch until it blends perfectly with the rest of the carpet. Press the carpet patch into the carpet hole so it adheres to the padding.

Roll a carpet tractor over the edges of the patch. This will blend the patch with the surrounding area to make the patch less noticeable.

Repeat the process if there are more stained or worn spots that can be patched in the carpet.