Area Rug Cleaning

Area rugs are a {great|excellent} way to tie a room together, but {they’re|they are} not going to {do|perform} your décor any favors when they {start|begin} to look grungy.

Use these tips to {learn|find out} how to {clean|wash} your area rugs so they look nice and last longer.

How to Clean an Area Rug: {Basic|Fundamental} Maintenance

Rugs can be {expensive|costly}, so you {want|would like} to {check|inspect} the care instruction tag before you {get started|begin}. If there are specific recommendations for {cleaning,|cleaning, then} stick to those. Otherwise, you {can|may} use {the following|these} directions, whether {you’re|you are} trying to {determine|ascertain} how to clean a large area rug or a {smaller|more compact} size.

{You’ll|You will} need:

• A two-speed vacuum with an upholstery attachment
• Baking soda

How often to {clean|wash}: 

At least every {week or two|couple weeks}, unless your {rug|carpet} is {in|at} a high-traffic {location|site}.

1. First, take smaller rugs {outdoors|outside} and shake {them off|off them} as much as {you can|possible}.
2. Check the settings {on|in} your vacuum cleaner. {Many|Several} have a reduced speed of airflow setting {for use|to be used} on area rugs. This can {prolong|extend} your rug’s life and can keep it from getting stuck in the vacuum{.|cleaner.}
3. Sprinkle baking soda on your {rug|carpeting} before vacuuming. This will {help|assist} neutralize any odors.
4. Vacuum the {rug|carpet}.
5. Roll up each side of your {rug|carpet} to clean under the {edges|borders}. Vacuum any dirt or debris that has gotten {caught|trapped} beneath the {sides|faces} of the rug. {If you|For those who} have a mat under your rug, {make sure you|be sure to} don’t suck it up {in|from} the vacuum as you work.
6. Vacuum {around|round} the edges of the {rug’s|carpet’s} surface to remove any {dust or dirt|dirt or dust} {that|which} {may|might} have been dislodged as you rolled it. 

How to Deep Clean Rugs by Material

Once or {twice|two} {a|per} year, your area rugs will {need|require} a {detailed|comprehensive} cleaning. The method {you’ll|you will} use for area rug cleaning will depend on what the {rug|carpet} is {made|constructed} {of|from}.

Wool

{Many|lots of} {people|individuals} opt for wool rugs because {they’re|they are} durable and {tend to|often} hold their color longer than other materials. They also tend to hold dirt {due to|because of} the way {they’re|that they’re} woven and the makeup of the wool fibers {themselves|}.

{You’ll|You will} need:

• A two-speed vacuum with an upholstery attachment
• A bucket of cold water
• {Gentle|Soft} laundry detergent
• Microfiber {cloths|fabrics }
• White or lightly colored towels

1. {If|if at all} {possible|you can}, take the {rug|carpet} outside and shake it. {Alternatively|As an alternative}, you can hang it {over|on} a clothesline or railing and {whack|knock} {the dust out|out the dust} with a rug beater.
2. Vacuum the {rug|carpet} before cleaning it to remove excess {soil|dirt}.
3. Mix a capful of {gentle |}laundry detergent — {the|exactly the} same {you’d|you would} use when washing sheets — {with|using} a bucket of cold water.
4. Dampen a microfiber {cloth|fabric } with soapy water and {lightly|gently} dab it on the surface of the {rug|carpet}, working {in|at} the direction of the {nap|rest} and re-moistening your {cloth|fabric} as needed. Go easy on the water {though|however}; you {should never|shouldn’t} saturate a wool area rug.
5. Rinse {out your bucket|your bucket out} {and|and then} {refill|wash} it with plain cold water.
6. Moisten {a fresh|an original} microfiber cloth and blot this over the {rug|carpet}.
7. Now blot the {rug|carpet} with {several|various} dry microfiber towels or regular bath towels.
8. {Let|Allow} the {rug|carpet} dry completely before walking over it. {You can|It is possible to} set up box fans to help expedite the drying process, or, if the {rug|carpet} is smaller, you can hang it {over|on} a clothesline.

Cotton

This {material|substance} is {popular|a favorite} {because|as} it tends to be {a bit|somewhat} more lightweight than wool. And like wool, the natural fibers of cotton tend to attract dirt.

Smaller cotton rugs can {often|frequently} be shaken out and cleaned in the washing machine. Simply set the washer on the delicate cycle and use gentle laundry detergent and cold water. {Take care|Be careful} {not to|to not} overload your washing machine, and hang your smaller cotton rugs to dry.

If {you’re|you are} trying to {figure out|determine} how to clean a large area rug made {of|from} cotton, you {can|may} use the above {instructions|directions} for wool rugs. {Alternatively|As an alternative}, you can roll {the rug up|up the carpeting} and take it to a local laundromat. Many laundromats clean {larger|bigger} cotton rugs, and you {may|might} be {surprised|amazed} at how little it costs.

Jute

These {rugs|carpets} have grown in popularity {because|since} {they’re|they are} lightweight and add an earthy touch to a room. However, moisture is a jute area rug’s number one enemy. {Because|As a result} of this, {you’ll|you will} {need|want} to purchase a {special|unique} dry-cleaning kit {at|in} a carpet store or order one online.

{You’ll|You will} need:

• A dry-cleaning kit for jute rugs
• A two-speed vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment
• {If|if at all} {possible|you can}, take your {rug outdoors|carpeting outside} and shake any loose debris {from|out of} it.
• Sprinkle the dry-cleaning powder from your kit {onto|on} the rug.
• Using the brush {from|out of} the cleaning kit or a stiff-bristled brush, gently {clean|wash} the {rug’s|carpet’s} fibers. {Don’t|Do not} scrub heavily or {you’ll|you will} tear the material.
• Vacuum up any {remaining|residual} cleaning powder.

{Synthetic|Artificial} fibers

There are {numerous|a lot of} {synthetic|artificial} fibers used to make area rugs, {including|such as} olefin, nylon, polypropylene and rayon. {Check|Assess} your care tag so {you|that you} know which materials {you’re|you are} working with and what products to avoid.

{You’ll|You will} need:

• A two-speed vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment
• A water hose
• A bristled brush
• Dishwashing liquid

1. Vacuum your rug before taking it {outdoors|outside} and shaking it out.
2. Hang the {rug|carpet} over a clothesline or {set|put} it on a sloped driveway.
3. Spray the {rug|carpet} with your water hose until {it’s|it is} entirely wet.
4. Apply dishwashing liquid directly to the surface of the rug.
5. Use a bristled brush to gently work the soap {into|in} your area rug, {following|after} the {nap|rest} of the material. {Don’t|Do not} scrub vigorously.
6. Rinse the {rug|carpet} clean with your hose {until|till} the water runs {clear|clean} and is no {longer|more} soapy.
7. {Let|Allow} the {rug|carpet} dry {completely |}before bringing it {indoors|inside}. If possible, rotate the {rug|carpet} frequently so that it dries evenly. 

Note: {Regardless of|no matter} the material, you {should|must} always follow manufacturer cleaning {instructions|directions} when they are available. Additionally, when cleaning an area rug with any {product|item}, you {should|need to} spot test a small inconspicuous {portion|part} to {ensure|make sure} there {isn’t|is not} any discoloration. {Let|Allow} the spot tested area dry {completely|thoroughly} before applying cleaner {to|into} the rest of the rug.

While {detailed|comprehensive} area rug cleaning is important to the {rug’s|carpet’s} longevity, there {can|may} be too much of a {good|fantastic} thing. Over cleaning your area rug can dull the {colors|colours} and wear out the fibers, so be {certain|sure} you’re not overdoing it. 

{However|But}, regular vacuuming can help prolong the life of your {rugs and carpets|carpets and rugs}. If you need {help|assistance} with this {routine|regular} housekeeping chore, contact Leons Carpet Cleaning.