An area rug is indispensable in every home, but not everyone knows how to wash it. This is a process that takes a lot of effort and time.
If you wonder how to clean area rug, you may find the best answer in this article. We will give a step-by-step guide on cleaning your area rug and answer a few related questions.
Table of Contents
Cleaning Tools
Prepare a suitable space to clean the area rug. You should wash it on a sunny day to make it easier to dry. Avoid soaking it on the lawn. Detergent can seep into the grass.
You may need some tools to clean the rug. First, a rug detergent is required. You can use dishwashing liquid, but it may discolor the carpet. Therefore, we suggest rug shampoo.
A rug shampoo
A brush or sponge is also needed to scrub the rug and a bucket for detergent. Besides, water is indispensable. You might need a large amount of water to clean the area rug.
How To Clean Area Rug: Steps By Steps
Step 1: Check The Rug’s Material
Checking the rug’s material is important since each material has a different cleaning process. Some detergents can damage certain materials, and some special rugs are not washed with water. Therefore, check the material of the area rug.
Below, we’ll walk you through the most common area rug cleaning process, suitable for almost every carpet.
Step 2: Vacuum The Rug
Vacuuming the rug makes it easier for you in the next step. You should do it once or twice a week to prolong the carpet’s life. You should vacuum both sides of the area rug to remove dust. This will make your carpet cleaner, and dust will not stick too tightly.
Vacuum the rug.
Remember to turn off the beater when vacuuming a fluffy rug to avoid tangling the long fibers.
If you have a pet, you should do one more step: brushing out pet hair. Sometimes the vacuum cleaner will leave pet hair behind. You should use a stiff brush to remove hair, brushing in the direction of the carpet’s bristles.
Step 3: Clean With Rug Detergent
Each detergent has different mixing instructions. Usually, you will combine a few cups of detergent with a bucket of warm water. You can use a small area of the rug to check if the carpet is not discolored.
After that, rinse the entire rug with water, then gently scrub the carpet with the detergent mixture. Scrub until the area rug is clean. Remember to clean both sides of the carpet.
You can repeat this process to ensure the area rug is clean. Then rinse the rug with water.
Step 4: Dry Fully
This is the most important step in the cleaning process. A damp carpet can cause odors and mold and damage it.
Depending on the material, they will have different drying times. Remember to turn the area rug over so that both sides are dry. You can also use a dryer or fan to make it dry faster.
Dry the rug.
We recommend that you dry the rug in the light, so it dries naturally and thoroughly. This process will take time, so be patient.
Step 5: Vacuum Again
After the drying process, the area rug may get a little dusty. Vacuum it again to make sure the carpet is completely clean. At this point, your rug will be clean and beautiful as new.
Remember to keep vacuuming every week to make the cleaning process simpler. Your area rug will also be cleaner and more durable.
Different Cleaning Process For Each Rug’s Material
Woven Rugs
First, check your woven rug to see if it can be washed. You can wash it gently with cool water, then air dry or tumble dry on low.
Woven rugs.
If the carpet is too large, you should only vacuum it regularly. You can also take it to the salon to have it professionally laundered.
Knotted Rugs
Knotted rugs require special care. Vacuum it as often as possible to avoid having to wash it. When vacuuming, use the lowest setting.
Knotted rugs.
Please take it to the laundromat once a year for a professional to wash it properly. Rotate the carpet regularly to prevent an area of the rug from being exposed to sunlight for too long. This will cause color fading.
Conclusion
We have suggested a rug cleaning process with some notice for different rug materials. We hope you find the best answer to the question: How to clean area rug?
