Cut Up Carpet

Keep both hands on the knife to avoid cutting a free hand.

Cut up carpet. If you are trying to salvage the floor underneath make sure you do not cut grooves in the floor with the knife. To remove carpet from stairs start at the top. Whether you re ready to try your hand at carpet installation or you simply want to use an existing remnant to make your own area rug cutting the carpet is a huge part of the job. Pull up a few feet of carpet and fold it over.

Use a utility knife with a sharp new blade to cut through the carpet backing. Whether you re putting it in or pulling it up knowing the finer points of cutting carpet can save you valuable time and expense. Use a utility knife or carpet knife to slice the carpet into manageable strips and roll the strips up as you go. If not cut the carpet near the top of the top riser grab the cut end and pull the carpet off the stairs by hand.

Continue pulling up carpet a few feet at a time and cutting it into easy to handle strips. Wear gloves to protect your hands from the staples that hold the carpet in place. Using the right type of cutters for the project at hand makes it a lot more enjoyable and ensures the cuts turn out as expected. Roll or fold the strip secure with duct tape and remove it from the room.