How to Keep Your Area Rugs Clean

Carpet and rug cleaning is a challenging home maintenance chore for many homeowners. As well as that, this is a time-consuming process and requires knowledge of the correct cleaning methods and products.

Even though it may seem complicated, if you want your carpets and rugs to last, you need to take care of them in a way that will keep their fresh appearance and vibrant colour. As you read this article, you will learn valuable tips and hints on how to keep your rug in good shape without putting in a lot of effort.

Find out how to easily clean your rugs and remove stains and odours without damaging them by following our rug cleaning guide.

How to Keep Your Rug From Getting Dirty

As long as you prevent your rug from getting dirty in the first place, it will save you time and effort when cleaning it later in the future. The following tips will help you keep your rug clean:

• Implement a no-shoes policy in your home, especially where the rug is. Get in the habit of taking off your shoes when entering carpeted rooms. Dirt, mud, and other debris tracked by shoes can quickly accumulate on rugs.

• Doormats: By keeping dirt and grime off your carpets and rugs, you will keep them cleaner for longer. Keep doormats at the entrances of your home to catch dirt and debris. When you invite guests into your home, encourage them to wipe their shoes.

• You should vacuum your carpet every week to keep it from looking dull and dingy. It seems obvious, but vacuuming is the easiest and most effective way to maintain clean carpets and rugs. Ideally, vacuum at least once a week, but more frequently if there is a lot of traffic or you have pets. Remember to check your vacuum bag or filter often. In an overfilled bag, the vacuum loses suction.

• Ensure spills are cleaned up immediately: If you spill something on your rug, clean it up as soon as possible to prevent it from setting in and causing a stain.

How to Deep Clean Rugs at Home

1. When cleaning a rug or carpet at home, the first thing you should do is vacuum thoroughly. Use a suction-only vacuum instead of a rotating brush. While remaining gentle on the rug’s fibres, this method removes dirt particles before they sink in. Vacuum the rug thoroughly from both sides. Remove every last bit of debris. To remove lingering stray hair from pets, use the brush attachment.

1. It is crucial to identify the material used to make an area rug before cleaning it. Different materials require different rug cleaning methods and materials, which is essential in prolonging its life. For small rugs, check the label to determine whether they should be spot cleaned, dry-cleaned, or laundered. Often, rugs with dry-cleaning-only labels are not colour-fast. Always test before spot-cleaning.

1. Once you determine that a rug is washable, machine-wash it on the delicate cycle. To prevent the rug from getting damaged by the agitator, use a mesh laundry bag or wash it in a zippered pillowcase with cold water and let it air dry.

1. A clothes-drying rack or several bricks stacked on a porch will work well for hanging wet rugs. Drying wet rugs on a single clothesline will distort their shape.

1. It is best to clean a large rug by placing it on a vinyl or concrete surface, applying carpet-cleaning foam, and rubbing it in. Once you have finished cleaning, rinse the area or vacuum it. Make sure the rug is dry before placing it.

1. It is a good idea to deep clean your area rugs every 6-12 months. Test a small rug area before using commercial cleaning products to ensure it is colour-fast and not damaged.

It is always best to hire carpet cleaners to clean your expensive rug if you are unsure how. Many companies offer carpet cleaning services in London at affordable rates.

How to Remove Rug Stains

Depending on the type of stain and the rug’s material, stain removal can be tricky. Therefore, the sooner you remove stains from your rug and carpet, the better. Always blot spills, not rub, and remove moisture from spills as quickly as possible:

• The best way to remove alcohol and soft drink stains from a rug is to use liquid dish detergent, warm water, and 1/4 teaspoon of white vinegar. To remove the stain, apply the solution, rinse it off, and then blot it dry.

• To remove coffee or tea stains, apply the detergent mix above, rinse, and blot. To remove stains left behind, use a commercial spot carpet cleaner.

• Food-based stains: Use a dry-solvent spot carpet cleaner for butter, margarine or gravy.

• If you’re cleaning acrylic or latex paint stains, do it while it’s wet with the detergent solution. Dab with rubbing alcohol if colour remains. If the paint is oil-based, sponge the surface with odourless mineral spirits, ensuring the backing does not soak through.

• If you clean tomato sauce stain, sponge it with cool water and dab it with detergent or a citrus-oxygen cleaner. Make a solution of 1 cup white vinegar and 2 cups water and blot until dry.

• To clean urine, faeces, and vomit from a rug or carpet, use detergent or a citrus-oxygen cleaner, rinse, and blot dry.

Tips on How to Extend the Life of Your Carpet and Rugs

Rugs are fantastic additions to a home, creating a cosy and homey atmosphere. As well as adding warmth and comfort to your room, they also serve as a protective layer to your vinyl or wooden flooring from daily wear and tear. By following the tips listed below, you can prolong the life of your rug and carpet:

• Invest in a quality rug pad to ensure your rug’s resilience. In addition, pads reduce carpet cleaning time and increase efficiency.
• To prevent pile crushing, move your furniture occasionally. Use carpet protectors to help distribute the weight of sofas and couches over your rug.
• Rotate a rug every six months or a year to prevent uneven wear. This is especially important for rugs exposed to direct sunlight since fading can occur faster.
• Place a protective barrier between the legs or wheels of heavy furniture and your rugs when moving furniture.

Takeaways

• Carpets and rugs will remain fresh and vibrant for years if you take good care of them.
• Your rug will last longer if you prevent it from getting dirty in the first place.
• Keeping carpets and rugs clean is easiest and most effective through vacuuming.
• Spills on rugs should be cleaned up immediately to prevent stains.
• A rug should be cleaned based on its material.
• When in doubt, hire carpet cleaners to clean your rugs and carpets.