Essential Tips For Cleaning Your Area Rugs At Home
Area rugs are meant to warm up a room and create an inviting space. They can even be conversation starters. But the conversation should never be about how dirty they are. From coffee stains to tracked-in mud, we provide essential tips for cleaning your area rugs at home.
If you find that dirt just won’t lift, our team at PureClean is here to help. We use cleaning methods designed to relieve your rugs of long-term dirt, debris, or stains. Keep reading to learn more about how you can clean your rugs—and when to call a professional.
Table of Contents
Basic Area Rug Care
Most people add rugs to their spaces for dimension, texture, and warmth. So, a dirty rug can really ruin a living room or bedroom.
The first step to cleaning your area rug is knowing its material. What kind of rug is it? Does its texture make it easier for dirt to cling to it? Know the basics and watch how easy it is to care for your rugs at home.
Vacuum large area rugs to remove dirt.
You’ll want to tackle both sides of the rug when vacuuming. Move up, down, and around the surface area of the rug for a complete clean. Dirt should easily fall away. Remember not to vacuum hanging fringe, as these will get stuck in the vacuum.
Brush out pet hair.
Pet hair isn’t completely removable by vacuum. It requires spot cleaning to be fully removed. Use a brush to sweep pet hair out of the rug fibers. We recommend using a thick-bristled brush for this.
Turn rugs every year.
If your rug has been flattened by foot traffic or sun damage, you can simply turn 180 degrees. Think of this as a preventative measure you can take annually in addition to cleaning.
Shake small area rugs.
For smaller rugs, try giving them a good shake. This motion should loosen dirt or other materials stuck between fibers. We recommend doing this outside to prevent debris from spreading.
Can I Clean My Area Rug Myself?
In short, yes. While older or antique rugs may require gentle, professional rug cleaning, most area rugs can be cleaned at home. Rugs bought at department stores are designed to be cleaned at home. Many can even be thrown in the washer and dryer.
Does It Matter What My Rug Is Made Of?
Yes, it matters. Knowing which fibers can handle hot water will determine whether or not they end up clean. Natural fibers such as wool or jute cannot handle hot water, strong chemical solutions, or detergents. Other rugs, like Persian rugs, need a special cleaning process.
On the other hand, synthetic fibers can handle cleaning solutions. They can handle hot water cycles in combination with detergents. For those wanting a simple, heavy-duty cleaning process, consider getting a synthetic rug. You can also check your rug’s label for cleaning directions.
Complete Guide to Cleaning Area Rugs: Tips for Every Material
Rugs can be sensitive. Knowing what your rug needs is the best way to remove stains. Wool, braided, or grass, every rug has unique needs. In this guide, we’ll cover the cleaning process for common rugs.
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to remove dirt from your area rug, follow these steps:
How to Clean Woven or Braided Rugs
A small woven rug can be placed in the washer under a cool, low-intensity setting. Braided or woven rugs must be cleaned with a foaming solution. Lay braided rugs on a concrete surface, rinse, and vacuum over the rug before drying.
To dry, simply lay the rug back down on the floor to allow it to air dry. Avoid machine drying larger rugs as this may affect their structure and feel.
How to Clean Hand-Knotted, Antique, and Oriental Rugs
PureClean recommends that you have your antique rugs professionally cleaned as this will protect them from accidental damage. Oriental rug cleaning needs the same kind of soft care that wool rugs do. Colorful and delicate, oriental rugs can’t be handled harshly.
For at-home antique or oriental rug cleaning, try placing a vinyl screen on top and then vacuuming. Vacuuming this way flattens fibers without hard impact. Additionally, you can tie a mesh cover over the rug to prevent dirt from piling up. Make sure to change this annually.
How to Clean Coir, Sisal, Rush, and Grass Rugs
Dirt has an easier time accumulating on grass-like rugs. People wanting an earthy, welcoming aesthetic tend to go for coir, sisal, rush, or grass rugs—which is great. But dirt can compile under organic fibers, making it harder to remove.
Vacuum, rotate, and shake these rugs to remove dirt. Place a towel or screen under the rug for scrubbing. Scrub with a soft brush so no fibers will be removed and use soapy water to lift dirt without using harsh chemicals. Water can be invasive to fibers, so make sure to scrub quickly.
How to Clean Fur, Sheepskin, and Hair-on Hides
Fur, sheepskin, and hides don’t take well to harsh cleaners. Hairs can become damaged by scrubbers, chemicals, and laundry machines. The best way to clean these fragile materials is by using unscented talcum powder. Sprinkle and leave to sit for a few hours for maximum cleaning. If you notice that the powder didn’t take, repeat this process until the entirety of the rug has been cleaned.
Make sure to clean the back of the rug as well. This is an area most rug owners forget. Using a cloth and some soapy water, flip the rug over and wipe away any dirt or debris. Allow the rug to air dry for a few hours before putting it back in place.
How to Remove Stains from Rugs
Use a light hand when removing stains from rugs. Work fast, but don’t apply too much pressure. Stains need to be blotted, not rubbed in. Clean your rug the second you spill something on it. The longer you wait, the deeper the stain will go.
Remember that each kind of stain requires a specific solution. Alcohol won’t lift the same way coffee stains will. Identify the origin of the stain and remove it according to these instructions:
Alcohol and soft drinks
Combine one quart of water with a teaspoon of liquid dish detergent and ¼ teaspoon of white vinegar. This will naturally lift alcohol or soft drink stains. Pour the solution down, add water, then dry. Blot instead of rubbing.
Coffee or tea stains
Follow the same specialized steps above for coffee and tea stains. The most important part is to blot dry instead of rubbing. Blot the stains with a light hand to avoid spreading them.
Fat-based stains
Kitchen rugs bear the brunt of fat-based stains. Butter and oil are the most common fat-based stains found on carpets. Spot cleaning is the best way to go for these. Simply apply a dry-solvent spot cleaner and blot dry.
Gum
Gum is hard to remove unless it’s completely hardened. Harden gum by placing ice over it. Once hardened, you should be able to scrape it off. Use a spoon or dull knife to avoid damaging the rug.
Paint
A detergent solution works on acrylic or latex paint. If it’s still wet, the solution should work instantly. Oil-based paint should be removed with a sponge. Apply odorless mineral spirits to the stained spots and softly rub the solution around to remove the stains.
Tomato sauce
Using a sponge with cool water, apply a detergent solution to tomato sauce stains. Rinse the rug with one cup of white vinegar and two cups of water. Blot dry without spreading the stain.
Urine, feces, and vomit
Either a detergent solution or a citrus-oxygen cleaner will work for these stains. The goal is to remove both urine, feces, and vomit and their odors. We highly recommend using gloves and a face mask.
Melted wax
Harden wax the same way you would gum. Ice allows melted wax to be easily scraped away. If there’s a wax that won’t give, use a cloth with rubbing alcohol.
Rug Cleaning Is Made Easy With PureClean
Rug cleaning isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. You must be careful about what kind of solution you apply. Handle with care and your home rugs will last a long time.
If you’re worried about cleaning your rugs by yourself, call us at PureClean for assistance. We work around the clock for our Seattle communities.
The Benefits of Professional Area Rug Cleaning
Sometimes, professional cleaning is the best way to go. Avoid potential rug damage by enlisting a professional area rug cleaning company like us at PureClean. Seattle home and business owners trust us to revive their area rugs.
Expert technicians can maximize the lifespan of your home rug through specialized cleaning techniques. Get the most out of your area rug and contact PureClean for our top-rated rug cleaning services.
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FOR Professional Area Rug Cleaning
If you are looking for a professional, non-toxic, and long-lasting clean, then Pure Clean’s carpet cleaning services are your best option. Give us a call to discuss our options and schedule your appointment.
