How to clean a rug at home:
Easy rug cleaning tips and tricks
BY MARTINA, RUG EXPERT AT RUGVISTA | PUBLISHED: 01/21/2024
6 MIN READ
Is your rug in need of a new lease of life? Discover how to clean a rug and make it look new again with our cleaning guide. From foot traffic to spilled food, rugs lead a lively life. Follow our easy steps below to revitalize and rejuvenate yours.
How to clean a rug in 6 easy steps
Whatever type of rug you have at home, follow these easy steps for a guide on how to clean a rug. But before you start, don’t forget to check for any special care and cleaning instructions tailored to your specific rug.
Step 1: Clear everything off the rug
If you can, move furniture and any other objects off the rug. In compact living areas, you can get around this by section at a time. This approach makes it easier to reach the rug, spot potential spills or stains, and hoover effectively.
Step 2: Shake it out
Head outdoors to free your rug from any debris, hair, or dirt that is trapped in it. For small rugs. this is usually easy to handle by yourself. If you own a large rug, however, find a friend and recruit them for the job. Each grab a short side, let it hang, and give it a good shake.
Step 3: Start with the vacuum cleaner
Grab your trusty vacuum cleaner (leave the robots out of this one) and vacuum in the direction of those fabulous fibres. Choose a low setting for a gentle touch. But here’s the golden rule: Fringes are off-limits for the vacuum cleaner – you don’t want to damage those beauties.
Step 4: Remove any stains
Spills happen. To help remove them, grab an undyed damp cloth and delicately dab the affected area. Try to avoid rubbing where possible as this can damage the fibres and don’t forget to lay down the protective shield for the underlying surface.
Step 5: Master the cleaning of fringes
To take your rug cleaning routine to the next level, grab a brush to start fringe-cleaning, sweeping away debris with flair. Steer clear of non-electric rug sweepers, vacuum cleaners or robot cleaners as these might unintentionally untangle your fringes from the rug.
Step 6: Lay it back
Your rug is now back to its glory and ready to rock your space again. Add your furniture and any other objects again so you can enjoy the feeling of a fresh and comfy floor masterpiece. It’s not just a rug; it’s a lifestyle!
How often should I clean my rug?
Ensuring your rug stays fresh requires sticking to a consistent cleaning routine. This preserves its look, lifespan, and cleanliness. How often you clean your rug depends on its social life – the more foot traffic, kids, and pets it encounters, the more often it should be cleaned. As a general rule, we recommend vacuuming a rug on a weekly basis. And, oh, spills are like surprise guests; Tackle them directly to keep your rug looking sharp and stain-free.
Why should I clean my rug?
It’s not just humans and pets that add to a rug’s wild collection of hair, debris, mud and the occasional snack attack. Nope, they’re like undercover superheroes facing off against cooking steam, fireplace confetti and airborne bacteria. This means that keeping a rug clean isn’t just about protecting its fabulous appearance. Cleaning your rug regularly maintains hygiene, making sure it stays cozy and healthy. Because even rugs need a cleaning to stay in tip-top shape.
What’s the best way to clean a rug?
Rugs are bound to face the chaos: kids unleashing spills, pets having surprise moments, friends and family parading in with shoes. Swift action makes it a breeze to bid adieu to those unwanted additions. Dive into action to tackle the mess head-on and bring order to the rug chaos.
The best way to clean a rug is through regular vacuuming and the prompt cleaning of any spillages. These are two of the most effective ways to make sure that your rug stays in the best shape for as long as possible. The type of rug you own will determine the specific cleaning method that’s best but keeping on top of things with regular care will help to ensure it looks its best for years to come.
Speed up the rug-cleaning with the right tools and supplies
When it comes to knowing how to clean a rug, having the right tools at hand can make life a lot easier. Below, we’ve laid out some of the essentials.
Hoover
A vacuum cleaner is an indispensable tool for keeping the rug clean and free from dust and dirt. Aim to vacuum your rug at least once a week to help keep it in the best possible condition.
Undyed cloth
Remove stains with an undyed, clean cloth by pressing it against the area. Avoid rubbing, as this can damage the fibres of the rug.
Stain remover
These can be great for removing stubborn stains from the rug. Be sure to check that the product you use is suitable for your specific rug type.
Washing up detergent
When washing an outdoor rug, use a gentle washing-up detergent.
Protection
Use a white cloth to protect the floor underneath the rug when removing stains or spills. When washing your outdoor rug, it’s a good idea to do it a bit away from other outdoor furniture to prevent them from getting dirty.
Hose and gardening clothing
If you’re cleaning something like a washable outdoor rug, use a garden hose to rinse it down. When cleaning a rug outdoors, it’s a good idea to wear gardening clothing to protect yourself from water, dirt and stains.
How to remove stains from a rug
Removing stains from a rug can feel like a daunting task. But, investing in an effective stain remover can make life so much easier. These have the ability to take on everything from coffee to ketchup, red wine to rust, and more. The process is easy — simply spray the stain and allow the remover to efficiently tackle the affected area. When this is done, simply hoover up the remaining crystals.
Before buying a stain remover, make sure it’s a match for both the stain and your rug’s material. Avoid using it on Patchwork and Coloured Vintage rugs, for example, as the dye might react sensitively to the remover. And, as you prepare for tackling that stain, always read the product label for specific instructions and guidance.
Rug cleaning tips: Find the direction of the fibres
Determining the fibre direction is key to an effective cleaning routine. For handmade rugs, find this by examining it in different lighting. Fibres tend to be more visible when light reflects off the surface of the rug. Additionally, gently running your hand across the surface will reveal the natural alignment of fibres in accordance with their weaving or tufting.
For machine-made rugs, run your hand across the rug to provide a tactile indication of the fibre direction. Alternatively, look carefully at your rug from different angles. Any color and sheen variations will likely reveal the fabulous direction of those fibres.
Revival: Unleashing the art of washing a rug
Machine-washable rugs shine with durability, ideal for homes with pets and kids. A perfect solution for tackling daily spills and stains, these rugs make cleaning a breeze – simply toss them into the washing machine for effortless maintenance.
If you have an outdoor synthetic rug, cleaning is essential to keep the freshness and hygiene. Say goodbye to spills, stains, moss, algae, and mildew by using your garden hose and, if necessary, a gentle washing-up detergent. Scrub that rug on both sides, and make sure to pick a sunny day so you hang that beauty out to dry in the warm embrace of sunlight.
