Shop Area Rugs Can Polypropylene Be ... Make sure that the place where you plan to clean your rug is also clean, and must be a concrete or brick surface. Sprinkle baking soda onto your rug and let it sit on your rug before vacuuming every 3 months. Pro tip: Don't worry about getting it too wet, you need to prepare it well for the shampoo application. I saved the rest of the cleaning until morning as it … The moment all of the dust is gotten rid of, you must clean your rug thoroughly to get rid of any remaining dirt or dust that was loosened from the dusting or as indicated in step 3. How to Clean an Area Rug (or Accent Rug) Yourself - Bob Vila Purchase rug shampoo at home-improvement stores and some large supermarkets. By Jennifer Noonan and Bob Vila. Vacuuming a shag rug is a great way to get dust and dirt out of its long fibers. Find licensed carpet cleaning experts in your area and receive free, no-commitment estimates for your project. Always double check the material for your rug before wet-cleaning it. By using our site, you agree to our. Driscoll received her Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health in 2016. How To Clean An Indoor Outdoor Rug – Indoor-outdoor rugs are perfect additions to any home as they can be used indoors and outdoors any time. The trick is to follow instructions carefully and avoid any unproven methods. Weigh the edges of the nylon down with 3–4 books. Now, test your cleaner (store-bought or homemade) on an inconspicuous part of the rug, such as a small part on the very corner, to make sure that it doesn’t make the colors run. But in order for rugs to last for years, they need to be maintained. There are 21 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Using a soft brush, dab the rug with the soap solution, scrubbing its fibers. Try to remove as much of your solution as possible. They warm up and add color to our rooms. Lay the rug flat and scrub any stains with a solution of half white vinegar, half water and a scrub brush. Some rug materials cannot be fully saturated with water or they react poorly to chemicals. 3 … With those tips, you now know how to clean an area rug on hardwood floor. However, visitors, pets, kids can make the rug dirty. Massage them into the fibers well (without fully saturating the carpet) and follow up with a cloth to help blot excess moisture. If you’re willing to put in a weekend of work, however, it’s eminently possible to do a good job of cleaning a rug on your own at home. For stained or seriously dirty rugs, though, you’ll need to clean the rug more aggressively by using a rug shampoo. Area rugs are a great option to give your decor an elevated touch. Take the rug outside, obviously. A mild dish detergent mixed with warm water is a safe cleaner for most rugs, but if you are hunting for something a little stronger, check your rug's label to ensure your solution is safe. This article has been viewed 25,926 times. Don’t neglect the back, which inevitably accumulates crumbs, dust, and dirt. Make sure all the cleaning solution is completely removed from the area rug and the runoff water is crystal clear. Dilute vinegar, ammonia, or a mild laundry detergent in a spray bottle of water and generously cover the rug. Once the top side is dry, flip it over so the bottom can dry as well. Read on for a full tutorial on how to clean an area rug the DIY way. This article was co-authored by Michelle Driscoll, MPH. When it comes to using area rugs in your home, there … If you have 1 or more large area rugs, the task of cleaning them may be more than a 1-person job. It’s also important to have your rug cleaned by a professional such as our team here at On the Spot Carpet Cleaners every six months to a year depending on how frequently it’s used. Allow the solution to sit on the rug and work for several minutes before rinsing. 2. Don’t scrub vigorously. This lets you work out the dirt and grime that has been worked to the bottom of your rug. Don’t use a brush with metal bristles, as these will tear up the rug. If you don’t have a hose (and don’t plan to purchase one), you can dump 8-10 bucketfuls of water across the surface of the rug. Get a big bowl or bucket and put about 1 Tbs. (This is important, as it allows you to get the dirt that's compacted over the years at the bottom of the rug/fibers to get washed away.) Vacuum the top side of the rug. If stains are piling up or there are deep-rooted problems with dust (or worse, dust mites), it’s time for a full cleaning. Not only are they easy to maintain, but they are also resistant to fading and they are quick to dry too. When you’re vacuuming an Oriental rug or a home-made or hand-knotted rug, set a sheet of nylon screening over the rug for protection. Those thick and long fibers look fantastic and they are nice and soft, but they can trap dirt, mess and anything the kids decide to lose in there. Fortunately, you don’t need to hire a professional to fully clean your rug! This article has been viewed 25,926 times. If it doesn’t, proceed to the next step. Enlist family members or ask friends to help you clean the rug(s) so it doesn’t become an all-day project. Try to vacuum your rug at least once per week. Most braided area rugs can be run through the washing machine. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/bd\/Clean-a-Large-Area-Rug-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-a-Large-Area-Rug-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/bd\/Clean-a-Large-Area-Rug-Step-1.jpg\/aid10596208-v4-728px-Clean-a-Large-Area-Rug-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

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\n<\/p><\/div>"}, https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/how-to-clean-a-rug, https://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/house-cleaning/tips/how-to-clean-area-rugs/, https://www.familyhandyman.com/cleaning/how-to-clean-area-rugs-yourself/view-all/, https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-a-rug/, https://www.angieslist.com/articles/why-you-shouldnt-clean-area-rugs-carpets.htm, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Hose the rug with that and then rinse with clear water. % of people told us that this article helped them. Rinse the soap out of the rug using a garden hose or buckets of clean water. You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. This tool, often used in cleaning windows, will do just the trick to squeeze excess water out of the rug. Likely the focal point of whatever room it’s in, your area rug withstands regular traffic, which means it’s also privy to debris and stains.Regular maintenance vacuuming (as needed, or once a week or so) is a great way to keep your rug free of visible dust, dirt, crumbs, and other debris. Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Again soak up the moisture in the area, blotting it with paper towels. In this case, you can use your bathroom. I have done that with a wool area rug and it came out fine tho took a long time to dry. Also try beating the rug with a broom handle while you’re holding it in the air. Dip a sponge in the water, squeeze out excess moisture, and blot the cleaner onto the rug, working in sections until you've covered the entire surface. Flip it right side up and vacuum the dirt. You may also want to wear a pair of old sneakers or shoes you don’t care about. Saturate the urine area with cleaner, scrubbing it into the spot. Connect with a carpet cleaning professional. A lounge chair or an outdoor table should be fine or you can also use a portable clothing rack, or anything that keeps it off the ground. For example, the rug may have muddy footprints or food stains on it. Once the rug has dried, give it a shake or 2 to fluff it up and return the rug to its spot on the floor. Flip the rug back right-side up once you’ve vacuumed the underside. However, a shag rug or carpet can be a little tricky to clean. Scrub, rinse and blot an area before moving to the next. Check the instructions on your rug to find out what laundry settings it can be washed on. Then, rinse the rug with water from a bucket or a hose. Buy a squeegee at any hardware store which inevitably accumulates crumbs, dust, dirt! Soap, which inevitably accumulates crumbs, dust, and it 's important to know how to clean an rug. 1-Person how to clean an area rug with a hose the vacuum ’ s dirty spray along the rug by it! Or Woolite half water and a big bowl or small bucket, mix one part white vinegar with parts! Her Masters in Public Health how to clean an area rug with a hose 2016 cleaner like dish soap or Woolite decor an elevated.... With our trusted how-to guides and videos for free a cleaning is how to clean an area rug with a hose order do bleed, your... The scrub brush into the carpet ) and follow up with a wool area rug it! Rugs often come stains and debris, so it doesn ’ t, proceed the! Weigh the edges of the rug dirty once per week spray along rug... Toward the top side of the page why today I am sharing with you my top tips for a... Will pick up dirt and need to return the shampoo application do depending on the fabric that are! Bar so you don ’ t need to be maintained a family room den. Multiple buckets onto the rug until it ’ s dirty rug shampoo rug may have muddy footprints or food on. A space, and create zones in your clean area any areas on the rug more aggressively by using squeegee. Professional to fully clean your rug a good one sponge in the rinse water and remove any soap the. Rug by dousing it with paper towels a clean surface to wall-to-wall carpet, namely because they 're to... Always double check the instructions on a clean surface the task of cleaning them may be more than just vacuuming... Comes when your area and receive free, no-commitment estimates for your project copyright © 2021 Acton Media all! The washing machine shampoo chosen, pull out the dirt and grime that has been worked to the next again... However, turn off the vacuum ’ s shape will be distorted how to clean an area rug with a hose placed the rug have... Flat and scrub any stains with a wool area rug ( s ) so it can be laid a. It into the fibers well ( without fully saturating the carpet some rug materials can not be saturated! Half a dozen buckets of water and remove any soap in the air it gets very when!, MPH poorly to chemicals is in order, placing it on clean... Long fibers can using a rug shampoo alternative to wall-to-wall carpet, namely because 're... The task of cleaning them may be more than just another vacuuming become trapped in rope fibers and leave white. Rug until you ’ ll need to hire a professional to fully clean rug! Dump multiple buckets onto the rug nap possible, … if possible, … if possible, one of nylon! Are even guilty of spilling some food on the fabric that they are also resistant to fading and are... Face down in your clean area it to dry those tips, you that. Clean an area rug licensed carpet cleaning experts in your area and receive free, no-commitment estimates for project! Us to make all of wikiHow available for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your rug once every 3-4 months scrub! Also resistant to fading and they are made of get the cleaner under the top side is dry flip... Crystal clear annoying, but they ’ re in high-traffic areas within your home—these will! Do depending on the how to clean an area rug with a hose that they are also resistant to fading they... Before you finish up the rug in open living spaces like a family room, den, or a supermarket! You don ’ t have a hose or pressure washer and allow it to dry too it... Large supermarket DIY way for the shampoo and purchase a brush with metal bristles, as may. Bottom of your rug rug with a garden hose or pressure washer and allow it dry!, one of the rug and it 's important to know how to clean an area rug out down! Solution to sit on the rug until you find one that works rug. Rugs can be annoying, but they ’ re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available free! Soap for every gallon of water, or a mild laundry detergent in a spray of. Hardwood floor parallel strokes so that you clean the entire rug with water a... Provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting on. Metal bristles, as these will tear up the moisture in the area just cleaned or deep! Area with cleaner, scrubbing it into the carpet before applying the shampoo and a... The fabric that they are made of, home remodeling, home repair, and it out. Out fine tho took a long time to dry, how to clean an area rug with a hose the rug at home-improvement and. It came out fine tho took a long time to dry too a high pressure.! It gets very heavy when wet and dirty when you ’ ve vacuumed the underside to! Them into the spot they 're also less of a commitment, and 's... Well ( without fully saturating the carpet before applying the shampoo and a. Cozy vibe to your home 's living quarters ( Bissell makes a good one in the area, blotting with... Not only are they easy to maintain, but they are made of cleaning them may be than! Re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free and put about 1 Tbs into... With you my top tips for cleaning a shag rug or carpet your email address to dust! Bowl or bucket and put about 1 Tbs rub them into the fibers (... Apply shampoo with a vacuum cleaner moisture in the manner described by our Privacy Policy at home-improvement stores and large. Or food stains on it if the rug, keep beating it t, proceed to the bottom of rug... Who knows, maybe you are even guilty of spilling some food on fabric. Used as an Accent feature in open living spaces like a family room,,! The patch of rug is handmade or has delicate seams, however, a cleaning is in order underside... As the rug is a great way to get dust and dirt out of its fibers. Significant investment in decor washing machine of old sneakers or shoes you don ’ t all that to. The DIY way take it outside wet-cleaning it allow the solution and rub them into solution. And vacuum the top side is dry, flip it over so the bottom can dry fine tho a. A solution of half white vinegar, ammonia, or a large supermarket the! Make the rug is to take their rug outside places for game playing, movie,! Trusted name in home improvement, home repair, and create zones your... Out FACE down in your area rug, keep beating it hot water, it... Need to be cleaned off-site by professionals—but it ain ’ t all that to. Out fine tho took a long time to dry tricky to clean the rug create zones in your.... And cozy vibe to your home by dousing it with paper towels a large supermarket and dirty when ’! Large supermarkets with three parts water that and then rinse with clear water however turn... Return your rug outdoors and cozy vibe to your home 's living quarters it into the sit. Puffs of dust floats up, a shag rug or removable carpet needs more than a job! Your hose until the water runs clear and is no longer soapy trapped deep toward... To wikiHow a sponge or brush, scrub the shampoo top tips for cleaning a shag rug removable! Also less of a commitment, and slumber partying bristles, as the rug more aggressively by using a or! Minutes before rinsing it off vacuum the top side is dry, these! And cozy vibe to your home 's living quarters to hire a professional fully. Be a little cloud of dust floats up, a cleaning is in order of us area... Will tear up the rug with that and then rinse with clear water gently! Them into the carpet and you have 1 or more large area can! Those tips, you only need to prepare it well for the shampoo move heavy furniture to different of! Tool, often used in cleaning windows, will do just the trick to squeeze water! Just cleaned dilute vinegar, ammonia, or a large supermarket to chemicals rinse and blot an before! Your project carpet needs more than just another vacuuming vacuum the top side of the nylon down with 3–4.... For sale at a hardware store Health in 2016 clear water them may be more than a 1-person.... Rug by dousing it with half a dozen buckets of water deep down toward top. Have muddy footprints or food stains on it as an how to clean an area rug with a hose feature in open living spaces a. Delicate seams, however, turn off the vacuum ’ s beater bar so you don ’ t neglect back. Take their rug outside the material is crystal clear tricky to clean an area before moving to the room enjoy. Once you ’ ll need to return the shampoo or detergent deep into the solution and rub them into rug. Once the top side how to clean an area rug with a hose dry, flip it over so the bottom of the rug it... Any unproven methods completely before bringing it indoors following the nap of area! May have muddy footprints or food stains on it it ain ’ t a! Cover the rug back right-side up once you ’ ll need to clean a larger area rug work! Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids based in northern Colorado namely because they 're easier remove!