Cleaning an area rug at home sounds straightforward until you shrink a wool rug, bleed the dye into the backing, or end up with a musty smell in the room that just doesn’t seem to go away. These seven steps will help you get it right at the first try.
Seven Steps. Do Them in Order
1. Know your rug material before you do anything.
Wool and silk need cold water and a gentle detergent. Synthetics like polyester and nylon can handle a little more. Getting this wrong is the fastest way to cause permanent damage, so check the label or look up the rug before you start.
2. Vacuum both sides first.
Flip the rug over and vacuum the back before you touch the front. This dislodges embedded dirt and grit so it falls away rather than getting pushed deeper into the fibres when water is applied. Then vacuum the front.
3. Test for colourfastness.
Find a hidden corner, dab it with your cleaning solution, and blot with a white cloth. If any colour transfers, put the cleaning supplies away and call a professional. Some rugs are not safe to clean with water at home.
4. Use the right cleaning solution.
A small amount of mild dish soap diluted in cold water works for most rugs, but a dedicated rug shampoo is even better. Avoid bleach, hot water, and anything with a high alkaline content, particularly on wool.
5. Scrub with the pile, not against it!
The fibres in your rug lie in one direction. Work your soft brush along that direction, never against it. Scrubbing the wrong way causes fuzzing, pulls fibres out of place, and leaves the rug looking worn.
6. Rinse until the water runs clear.
Soap residue left in the fibres is one of the main reasons rugs get dirty again quickly. Rinse thoroughly, then rinse again. The water coming off the rug should be completely clear before you stop.
7. Dry flat, and completely too.
Never put a damp rug back down on the floor. Lay it flat where there is good airflow, or better still, hang it over a railing. A rug that is even slightly damp when returned to a hard floor will develop mildew within a day or two. And on carpet, it develops even faster. Give it the full drying time it needs.
Clean and Smelling Fresh
Follow these steps and your rug will come out clean, undamaged, and smelling fresh without those professional cleaning bills.
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