The Right Way To Clean Rug

What is the right way to clean a rug? There are many different reasons people might need to clean a rug. Maybe it’s not looking as stylish as you think it should. Maybe your dog has an accident on it, or your clumsy child spills their milkshake all over the place, and the floor is too hard for them, so they’ve used the rug instead.

Regardless of why you need to clean your rug, there are some things that you can do to make the job easier and keep yourself from having to hire someone else!

Right way to clean rug

Know What You’re Dealing With

Before you start cleaning your home rug, you need to know what you’re dealing with. That means knowing your rugs, cleaning products, and the tools that you have available. As an example, some rug fibers cannot be cleaned with water alone and will require a solvent. This will help prevent damage to the rug.

In addition, liquids left on the floor for extended periods can damage floors or leave spots that are hard to remove. You should also know what cleaning products are safe for you and your rugs. Some rug manufacturers recommend certain cleaning agents as part of their care instructions.

2. Always Vacuum First

Do not vacuum your rugs with a beater bar because it can break down the fibers and cause permanent damage. If you use an upright vacuum with a soft brush attachment, you risk pushing dirt further into the rug and creating a new stain in its place. Next, always make sure that you clean your rugs when they’re dry. If something spills on the rug and you clean it while it’s wet, it can permanently set the stain.

3. Use The Right Tools For cleaning

Check for loose strings or other dirt items that could be hiding beneath your rugs after they’ve been vacuumed. If there are, use a brush attachment vacuum to remove them. If there’s still dirt lurking and your vacuum is too powerful, you will push the debris into the rug and potentially leave permanent stains or damage. An upholstery steamer may also be handy as it can get into smaller spaces and clean very effectively.

4. Don’t Use Too Much Force

If you have dogs that play in the rugs or kids that pull on them, it’s crucial to ensure they’re not unraveling any of the threads while cleaning. If you can’t let them sit for a week to let, the rest of the fibers don’t pull on the edges while cleaning them. You might not prefer to stress out your rugs so much that they rip or cause tears.

5. Have The Right Detergent

You can use any mild detergent to clean a rug, but you must check the label to ensure it is safe for both people and upholstery. Putting too much detergent on the rug can cause damage, so make sure that you use a soft brush or cloth to apply it first.

It’s also important not to use more than one cup of detergent per gallon of water. If you think your rugs need a more thorough cleaning, some industry experts advise using just plain water and a product with vinegar.

6. Use The Right Amount Of Water

It’s essential to know just how much water you are using. Don’t saturate the rug with water; it can cause mold and mildew to grow and won’t clean the rug any better.

When cleaning the rugs, ensure you aren’t dripping too much water onto your floors or leaving puddles where they shouldn’t be. If you’re cleaning areas of your rugs that have been soiled, there’s usually no problem, but if you’re placing them outside or in direct sunlight, be careful not to use too much water and potentially leave a mark on a hardwood floor.

How often to clean the rug

You should clean your home rug at least once a week to remove dirt and hair. If the carpet is wool or any natural fiber, it should also be professionally cleaned every six months to a year, based on the amount of traffic.

Rug cleaning tips

1. Vacuum Your Rug

Vacuuming is the easiest thing you can do to clean your rug. Not only will it pick up any loose material on your rug, but it will also get deep into the rug’s fibers and help give it a deep cleaning.

To vacuum a rug, you can find an upright vacuum cleaner or a canister vacuum cleaner at your home improvement store. The ideal way to clean a rug is to use the hand tool on your canister vacuum, but if you’re going to be often vacuuming, you should probably get an upright one.

Those with children or pets should probably ensure that your vacuum has a pet hose attachment for animal hair and hair from children. When cleaning couches and sofas, it’s also essential that you look for specialty attachments such as one that will grab pet hair from upholstery or one that will clean between the cushion foam and the cushion cover without damaging them.

2. Use a Rug Pad

A rug pad can add extra comfort and stability to your rug. They can help the rug stay in place or provide extra padding under your feet when walking on it. Also, a high-quality rug pad will help protect your flooring underneath the rug from damage, so it is a worthy investment if you don’t already have one!

When choosing a rug pad, look for one with a backing that is strong enough to support your weight. If the pad is too thin, it will be easily broken, especially if you have kids running around on it all the time! Look at the weight capacity of each type of material to see what kind of weight it can handle. It’s also an intriguing idea to ask the store clerk if they have a warranty on the rug pad.

3. Use Cleaners and Cleaning Solutions

If your rug looks grubby, there’s likely a lot of stains, dirt, and food left behind. Plenty of cleaners are available to clean carpets, rugs, and upholstery! You can find many different types at your local home improvement store or online. Some rugs have more stains than others, so it’s essential to go for the ones with stains that you know about.

You’ll use a soft bristle brush to scrub away any loose dirt or stains to clean your rug. You can add a little vinegar solution to your cleaning solution to help remove any odors and freshen up your rug. Dilute the vinegar 50/50 with water. Make sure you test the solution on a small rug section for colorfastness before using it on all of your carpets!

4. Wash a Rug by Hand

If you have a big rug that is too large for a single load in the washing machine, or if you need to save time, you can wash it on your own by hand. Start by vacuuming the rug with an upright vacuum cleaner. Then wash the pile of your rug by filling up a bucket with hot water and detergent. Add a tablespoon of vinegar to help with any odors.

Once you have an even level of the solution, start by dipping a small brush into the bucket, then work it up and down across your rug pile. Rotate the brush to get it evenly covered all over. Ensure you use a soft bristle brush and be gentle!

5. Deodorize Your Rug

If you’re still unable to remove any odor from your rug, you may want to look at some different cleaning solutions designed for rugs and carpets. Carpet Fresh is a great all-in-one solution that will kill 99% of all germs, odors, and stains. Just fill the solution with hot water, add the sprayer, and use it as you usually would in your washing machine on a cold cycle. It can even kill mold and mildew!