How to Clean an Area Rug

Cleaning a whole area rug could seem like a daunting task, and it is! Whether it’s the living room, outdoors, or bedroom rugs, they all get dirty. Although daily maintenance is crucial they will still need that good deep cleaning once in a while.

Take note of these steps when you clean area rugs and the process should be pretty smooth and painless! 

Easy Way to Clean Rugs

To maintain the cleanliness of any item, regular cleaning and maintenance is crucial. This can be easily done with a vacuum. When there are stains or stubborn areas, use spot-cleaning methods to keep your area in wonderful condition for a long time.  

However, deep cleaning is still required once in a while to ensure the longevity of your beloved rugs. Depending on the materials of the rug, the optimal method used to clean them would differ. Synthetic fiber rugs are usually less delicate as they can withstand higher temperature water or stronger chemicals when cleaning, whereas natural fibers require more careful care in the process. Some textured rugs need professional cleaning too.

If you purchased a washable custom area rug, it would be a lot easier and hassle-free. Simply remove the rug and throw it into the washer and the rest is taken care of. But not all rugs are machine washable and some delicate rugs will even require professional cleaning. 

Preps + Steps

Materials you need to prep to clean your rugs 

● A suitable cleaning solution: rug shampoo or dish soap (opt for a mild one if the rugs are natural fibers)

● Tool for scrubbing the rug: sponge or a soft-bristled brush

● Other useful cleaning tools that may be optional: Bucket/ Rubber gloves

After gathering the essential tools you need, time to start cleaning the rugs! 

Step 1: Remove the rug from underneath the furniture to dust off dirt and debris

Remove the furniture and objects placed on top of your area rugs and adjust the rugs where there are dents from heavy things placed on top.

You’ll also need to find a suitable place to dust off the dirt. Ideally, if possible, the best place would be to take it outside for cleaning as there can be a huge mess made from the process of deep cleaning a rug, making it so hard to clean afterward. Being outside in natural airflow and sunshine can also help the rugs dry faster to prevent fades. 

Step 2: Prepare cleaning solution and test it

Mix a cleaning agent of your choice with water for a cleaning solution. Ideally, opt for a rug shampoo that is mild so it will prevent harm to the fibers but also get the job done. For an alternative solution, use mild dish soap instead. 

When mixing cleaner with water, choose warm water for synthetic fibers and cold water for natural fibered rugs. Avoid hot water as that can shrink and induce color fading. 

Once you have the cleaning solution, test if it’ll cause your rug color to bleed. Make sure to dab the solution with a small cloth on the corner of your rug to make sure it is colorfast.

Step 3: Scrub the rug thoroughly 

Use your scrubbing tool to lather foam on top of your rug. For stubborn marks or stains, scrub harder for these spots. Don’t rinse off the cleaners right away, let it sit for at least 5 minutes to dissolve the dirt further.

Step 4: Clean and dry the rug

After 5 mins (or more), you can start to rinse out the cleaner. Be careful to check all the foam has been removed and water turns clear. You can use a hardened hose or buckets, note that higher water pressure can help remove the foam faster.

You can jump start the drying process by removing the excess water from the rug by running a flat object on top of the surface. Then you can lay the rug flat flipping half way through to allow the rug to be fully dried.

Step 5: Brush out and put the rug back

Now last but not least, once the rug is fully dried, brush the fibers to keep them fluffy and maintain the shape as best as they can. Place the rug back to where it belongs.

Different Types of Rugs

Various area rug cleaning procedures will vary. Synthetic rugs are the most durable and can withstand stronger chemicals they can be cleaned using the method described above. Most natural fibers such as wool can also be cleaned using the same method, just with a gentle choice of detergent.

However, there are a few types of rugs that will have some special cleaning instructions.

● Jute rugs: They cannot be cleaned with water, the fibers do not react well to moisture.

● Shag rugs: The long pile length of these shag rugs will easily trap more dirt.

● Outdoor rugs: Most outdoor rugs are made with durable synthetic material so they can withstand strong chemical cleaners.

Cleaning Rugs on Hardwood Floor

If you’re unable to take the rug outside or elsewhere, or if you’re wondering how to clean an area rug without moving it, cleaning rugs directly on your hardwood floor is also an option. It requires some extra care to prevent damaging the floors.

Vacuum the surface to remove dust and small debris, and make sure to cover the surrounding hardwood floor as well. You want to avoid splashing large amounts of water on top of the hardwood floors so spot cleaning is the best option. Be careful not to get cleaning solution onto your floor, it can help to place a plastic tarp as a barrier.

If you must deep clean the rug on hardwood flooring, then it’s important to prep the space. Lay down protective layers and always be aware of the surroundings. Wait till the rug is thoroughly dry before placing objects back.