How to clean area Rug

Could your area rug use a deep clean? Probably. Learn how to clean a rug and bring your floor coverings back to life in less than an hour. Area rugs may bring a room together, but they also take a beating, from foot traffic . After a while, vacuuming just isn’t enough to get it truly clean—and that’s when a deep clean is in order.

“You’d be surprised to hear that clean rugs are constantly absorbing indoor air pollutants, and even fumes from gas fireplaces and steam produced while cooking.

What is the best way to clean my rug

Regular cleaning with a vacuum cleaner and prompt spot-cleaning can go a long way when it comes to helping area rugs look great and last for years, but every rug needs a little bit more attention from time to time.

The first step to cleaning an area rug is to identify your rug’s material. This is important in prolonging its life, as different materials require unique area rug cleaning methods and materials. Our handy area rug cleaning guide will introduce you to the many types of rugs and offer tips and instructions for area rug cleaning and stain removal.

Basic Area Rug Care

Size, construction, and material determine the best way to clean an area rug. Care for large area rugs as you would wall-to-wall carpet. That means most rugs will benefit from the following care routine:

• Vacuum large area rugs to remove dirt: As with carpet, regular vacuuming is the most important area rug cleaning step you can take. If a rug is reversible, vacuum both sides. This removes grit and grime that can wear out your rug prematurely. Take care to not vacuum any fringe. (Turn off the beater bar when vacuuming a shag rug to prevent tangling the long fibers.)
• Brush out pet hair: A vacuum will sometimes leave pet hair behind. Use a stiff brush to remove the hair, brushing in the direction of the nap of the rug.
• Turn rugs every year: Foot traffic and sun can put extra stress on area rugs. Turn them once or twice a year to even out the wear.
• Shake small area rugs: If the rug is small enough, you can take it outside and shake it or beat it vigorously to remove dirt and grit. Some areas have ordinances about shaking rugs outdoors, so check your local codes first.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I determine if a rug is machine-washable?

  Check the care label. If it says dry clean only, machine washing may cause the colors to bleed. If you don’t have a tag but are sure the material is colorfast, such as acrylic, Rug cleaning should be fine in the washing machine. Most wool and silk rugs should be dry-cleaned instead. When in doubt, don’t machine wash.

• How often should I vacuum my rug?

  On average, vacuum your rug twice a week. If you have pets or heavy foot traffic in your home, you may want to vacuum more frequently.

• Is vinegar a good solution for cleaning all rugs?

  No, vinegar won’t work on every type of rug. Only use vinegar on a synthetic fiber rug.