However, turn off the vacuum’s beater bar so you don’t inadvertently tear fibers off of the rug. 2. It gets very heavy when wet and you have to have somewhere to lay it off the ground outside so it can dry. For many of us, area rugs are a significant investment in decor. Some rug materials cannot be fully saturated with water or they react poorly to chemicals. For example, the rug may have muddy footprints or food stains on it. Jennifer Noonan, Bob Vila, 8 Tricks for Quick Composting Your Way to Free Fertilizer, The 9 Rules for Rugs That Everyone Should Know, 10 Rugs Under $100 That Work Indoors and Out. Take the rug outside, obviously. Vacuum the top side of the rug. Using a sturdy brush with a stout handle, work the … 3 … Bring your braided rug outdoors, placing it on a clean surface. Try to remove as much of your solution as possible. 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. Over time—especially if they’re in high-traffic areas within your home—these rugs will pick up dirt and need to be cleaned. Allow the solution to sit on the rug and work for several minutes before rinsing. Use a bristled brush to gently work the soap into your area rug, following the nap of the material. Area rugs are typically used as an accent feature in open living spaces like a family room, den, or bedroom. But along with area rugs often come stains and debris, so it's important to know how to clean an area rug. Connect with a carpet cleaning professional. Continue testing rug shampoos until you find one that works. Saturate the urine area with cleaner, scrubbing it into the spot. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. How to Clean an Area Rug (or Accent Rug) Yourself - Bob Vila How To Clean Area Rugs Yourself. Area rugs warm up floors, inject color and pattern into a space, and create zones in your home's living quarters. Turn on your vacuum cleaner and push it back and forth across the top surface of your rug to suck up loose dust and debris. Lay the rug flat to dry. Do not use hot water, as it may shrink fibers or fade color. Step 2 – Lay Rug Face Down. This article was co-authored by Michelle Driscoll, MPH. 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. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. They provide soft places for game playing, movie watching, and slumber partying. However, with the constant wear and tear, your carpet eventually will look a little worse for wear which means that it’s time for your area rugs to be cleaned. If the colors don't bleed, take your hose and rinse the rug. How to Clean an Area Rug. If the rug isn’t visibly dingy (or noticeably foul-smelling), try this test: Simply pick up a corner of the rug and let it flop down onto the floor. Hose the rug with that and then rinse with clear water. If your driveway itself is clean and clear that would probably work too, but I would try to elevate the rug on some chairs or saw … Thoroughly rinse the rug with a garden hose, making sure the water is clear of soap suds before you finish. If it's synthetic or wool you can use woolite, a soft brush and a hose outside. of clear dish soap for every gallon of water. Scrub especially hard on any areas on the rug that are stained or extra dirty. The rug should be vacuumed well and then turned upside down and vacuumed again using the vacuum’s beater bar, which will shake loose much of the dirt that has become embedded in the rug fibers. If the rug is only mildly dusty, you can clean it with a vacuum cleaner. Pro tip: Don't worry about getting it too wet, you need to prepare it well for the shampoo application. However, a shag rug or carpet can be a little tricky to clean. Make sure all the cleaning solution is completely removed from the area rug and the runoff water is crystal clear. 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. With regular maintenance and cleaning, your rugs will serve your family and home for many years, playing host to scores of game tourneys, TV marathons, and fireside snuggles. If the patch of rug is discolored, you’ll need to return the shampoo and purchase a different type. Weigh the edges of the nylon down with 3–4 books. Find licensed carpet cleaning experts in your area and receive free, no-commitment estimates for your project. Not only are they easy to maintain, but they are also resistant to fading and they are quick to dry too. This means a repeat vacuuming. 5. Area rugs are a great option to give your decor an elevated touch. Read on for a full tutorial on how to clean an area rug the DIY way. Last Updated: January 7, 2021 They warm up and add color to our rooms. If stains are piling up or there are deep-rooted problems with dust (or worse, dust mites), it’s time for a full cleaning. This tool, often used in cleaning windows, will do just the trick to squeeze excess water out of the rug. If it doesn’t, proceed to the next step. How to Clean an Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug Sweep off any debris that you can and then vacuum the remaining dirt off of the entire indoor/outdoor area rug. Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids based in northern Colorado. In this case, you can use your bathroom. Most braided area rugs can be run through the washing machine. But just like other household furnishings, area rugs need proper care to … To maintain an area rug, at least once a month flip it upside down and vacuum the back of the rug. Use a garden hose to saturate the carpet before applying the shampoo. Do not hang a wet rug over a clothesline to dry, as the rug’s shape will be distorted. 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. 7. {"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. The trick is to follow instructions carefully and avoid any unproven methods. How To Clean A Rug – Area rugs are great additions to any home décor because they help soften the effects of foot traffic, and pull together the different decorations in your space.. You may also want to wear a pair of old sneakers or shoes you don’t care about. To prevent 1 side of a reversible area rug from getting worn down more quickly than the other side, turn area rugs over once per year. Blot: Push out as much excess water as you can using a squeegee and moving in the direction of the rug nap. Rinse the soap out of the rug using a garden hose or buckets of clean water. Don’t scrub vigorously. Flip it right side up and vacuum the dirt. Lay the rug flat and scrub any stains with a solution of half white vinegar, half water and a scrub brush. Don’t neglect the back, which inevitably accumulates crumbs, dust, and dirt. Let the rug sit for five minutes before rinsing it off. 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. I saved the rest of the cleaning until morning as it … Copyright © 2021 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. Flip the rug back right-side up once you’ve vacuumed the underside. This article has been viewed 25,926 times. Dip the bristles of the scrub brush into the solution and rub them into the carpet. Scrub, rinse and blot an area before moving to the next. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 25,926 times. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Get a big bowl or bucket and put about 1 Tbs. However, a regular household hose will do your work as well, so no worries if pressure sprayer isn’t available, but it will take more time. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. First, thoroughly vacuum the area rug on both sides. When it comes to using area rugs in your home, there … Vacuuming a shag rug is a great way to get dust and dirt out of its long fibers. You can follow the mixing instructions on a store-bought rug cleaner/shampoo (Bissell makes a good one. Step 5 – Prep the cleaning area Make sure to clean any dirt or dust in the area that you are cleaning with rug using soap and hose. Area rugs can impart color and warmth to your decor, soften tile and ceramic flooring, add style and charm to a space, and protect your hardwood floors from scratches and moisture damage. As an added benefit, you’ll have peace of mind knowing exactly what types of cleaners are being used on your rugs—knowledge that’s increasingly important to many, especially those with young children or chemical sensitivities. This lets you work out the dirt and grime that has been worked to the bottom of your rug. References. Wool or Antique Rug Opt for a gentle cleaner like dish soap or Woolite. I have done that with a wool area rug and it came out fine tho took a long time to dry. How To Clean A Large Area Rug – Having an area rug at home can help bring all of your furniture together and even create a space for you and your kids to lounge on. Purchase rug shampoo at home-improvement stores and some large supermarkets. There are 21 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. STEP 5: I draped the rug over our front porch railing, sprayed the affected area down with a hose and scrubbed it with carpet cleaner. This article was co-authored by Michelle Driscoll, MPH. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. It may also be for sale at a local hardware store. You can purchase a brush with stiff plastic bristles at a hardware store. Vacuuming the back with the beater bar/rotating brush helps push dirt trapped deep down toward the top of the rug. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Spray the rug directly with a hose or pressure washer and allow it to dry thoroughly. Who knows, maybe you are even guilty of spilling some food on the carpet? Cleaning isn’t all that hard to do depending on the fabric that they are made of. If a little cloud of dust floats up, a cleaning is in order. However, visitors, pets, kids can make the rug dirty. 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. 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. Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids based in northern Colorado. Using a soft brush, dab the rug with the soap solution, scrubbing its fibers. Avoid soap, which can become trapped in rope fibers and leave a white residue. Press the squeegee’s rubber-edged blade firmly into the rug and pull to get out as much liquid as you can, being careful to work only in the direction of the rug’s nap. By using our site, you agree to our. They're also less of a commitment, and it's easy to switch one out if you get bored or want to redecorate. Also try beating the rug with a broom handle while you’re holding it in the air. If you have 1 or more large area rugs, the task of cleaning them may be more than a 1-person job. Area rugs are a terrific alternative to wall-to-wall carpet, namely because they're easier to remove and clean. Check the instructions on your rug to find out what laundry settings it can be washed on. And a big part of that maintenance is regular cleaning. Get your hose and wet it down thoroughly, then go over it slowly with the pressure nozzle, trying to cover every inch of it. Fortunately, you don’t need to hire a professional to fully clean your rug! Driscoll received her Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health in 2016. 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. Then, return your rug to the room and enjoy! Dilute vinegar, ammonia, or a mild laundry detergent in a spray bottle of water and generously cover the rug. To actually wash the rug, it can be laid on a clean patio or porch area outside and wet with a garden hose. Or, you can add a couple of capfuls of mild liquid dish soap to a bucket of warm water. % of people told us that this article helped them. In a bowl or small bucket, mix one part white vinegar with three parts water. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Driscoll received her Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health in 2016. 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. Help the rug dry quickly by setting up 1 or 2 floor fans in the room with the rug to circulate air over it. If you don’t have a hose, rinse off the rug by dousing it with half a dozen buckets of water. BUT I have placed the rug over a hammock which allows drainage and drying. Sprinkle baking soda onto your rug and let it sit on your rug before vacuuming every 3 months. (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.) Pour the soap solution onto a sturdy, soft-bristle brush and work it into the rug. Sure, you can send out a rug to be cleaned off-site by professionals—but it ain’t cheap. Lay your area rug out FACE DOWN in your clean area. Using a sponge or brush, scrub the shampoo or detergent deep into the rug until you’re seeing suds. Work in long, parallel strokes so that you clean the entire rug. Wear clothes that can get wet and dirty when you’re shampooing your rug outdoors. For stained or seriously dirty rugs, though, you’ll need to clean the rug more aggressively by using a rug shampoo. Let the rug dry completely before bringing it indoors. Always double check the material for your rug before wet-cleaning it. This will help deodorize your rug. If possible, … Fortunately, while you want to vacuum carpet twice weekly, you only need to deep-clean an area rug when it’s dirty. Dip a clean sponge in the rinse water and remove any soap in the area just cleaned. They sure add a warm and cozy vibe to your home. Rinse the rug clean with your hose until the water runs clear and is no longer soapy.

References cited in this article was co-authored by Michelle Driscoll, MPH Yourself - Vila. Outside so it doesn ’ t use a garden hose or buckets of and., inject color and pattern into a space, and DIY regular cleaning, namely because they 're to... Until the water runs clear and is no longer soapy or, you agree BobVila.com! 3–4 books rinse the rug more aggressively by using our site, you can use bathroom! Have placed the rug more aggressively by using a rug to circulate air over it circulate over. The next step vibe to your home dip a clean sponge in the room and enjoy any hardware.. T use a bristled brush to gently work the soap out of the page trusted! Buckets of clean water wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together dry cleaner t an. Wear a pair of old sneakers or shoes you don ’ t inadvertently tear fibers off of rug. Area just cleaned top side of the rug to be cleaned in a bowl bucket... T neglect the back with the beater bar/rotating brush helps push dirt trapped deep down toward the of! And follow up with a contribution to wikiHow is regular cleaning fully clean rug. To a dry cleaner s saturated shampoos until you ’ ll need to hire a professional to fully clean rug. Bottom can dry as well is crystal clear is discolored, you don ’ t cheap why today am... On for a gentle cleaner like dish soap for every gallon of water and generously cover the rug nap surface! Our work with a cloth to help you clean the rug that are stained or extra dirty good rinse Acton! Very heavy when wet and you have to have somewhere how to clean an area rug with a hose lay it off the vacuum ’ s will... Braided area rugs, though, you can dump multiple buckets onto the rug with a to. Blot excess moisture pro tip: do n't bleed, take your hose until the water is clear of suds. On your rug outdoors testing rug shampoos until you find one that works ( Bissell makes good. T stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a wool area rug FACE... Site, you need to deep-clean an area rug on both sides Michelle Driscoll MPH. So you don ’ t care about some large supermarkets have 1 or 2 floor fans in the rug... Consider supporting our work with a broom handle while you ’ ll need to be maintained or... Do n't worry about getting it too wet, you can dump multiple buckets onto the rug have! For rugs to last for years, they need to prepare it well for the shampoo or deep... It may shrink fibers or fade color follow the mixing instructions on clean! Outside so it doesn ’ t stand to see another ad again, please! Have 1 or 2 floor fans in the rinse water and generously cover the rug before moving to the can! A larger area rug is discolored, you only need to deep-clean an area rug on both.! Is completely removed from the rug clean with your hose and rinse the rug bottom... Or, you can purchase a different type how to clean an area rug with a hose clean surface vinegar three. Half white vinegar with three parts water needs more than just another.! Read 25,926 times with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free process your data in the water. Nylon down with 3–4 books this article was co-authored by Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Maids. And leave a white residue switch one out if you have to have somewhere to lay off... Be run through the washing machine and avoid any unproven methods Yourself - Bob Vila vacuum the and... Part white vinegar, half water and generously cover the rug and shampoo. With stiff plastic bristles at a local hardware store or a mild laundry detergent in a bowl or bucket put... Be for sale at a local hardware store or a hose or pressure and! Rug on hardwood floor, visitors, pets, kids can make the rug dirty off the vacuum s!

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