How to Keep Rugs Safe in the Washing Machine

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Area rugs are one of the all time great American inventions. They cut down on trapped dirt that lurks under wall to wall carpet and help with allergies and general cleanliness. You can just move them out of the way and scrub underneath them. The problem with area rugs has always been how to clean them, or how to clean them easily without ruining them. Here are some tips.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Pillowcases
Safety Pins

Better to be Safe than Sorry

Step1

Always test your rugs before you try to clean them with anything. Cut a piece of the carpet fiber and rub some laundry detergent on it to see if it will discolor. Run water over it after you do this to see if the color will bleed. You will have to look carefully while you do this - keep it in your hand or on a piece of white cloth or paper and drizzle the water lightly. If it changes the fiber at all it will not be safe in your washing machine.

Step2

If the rug doesn't have fibers you can easily cut - for instance if it has really tiny loops, try this instead. Put a clean piece of paper or newspaper under the rug. Push several of the fibers of the rug together and pour a little warm to hot water onto it. See if any color comes through onto the papers underneath. If it bleeds at all, you cannot put it in the washing machine. Even in cold water, the soap would probably be too risky for it.

Step3

Vacuum or shake the rug thoroughly before you start. The dirt that gets inside rugs is not good for your washing machine.

Step4

When the rug is ready to go, roll it loosely and place it carpet side out in a large pillow case. Close the top of the case with safety pins so that the rug doesn't slide out.

Step5

Wash the rug in cold water on the gentlest cycle setting. The pillowcase will keep it from being torn or having the fibers shredded by the agitator.

Step6

Don't ever put rugs in the dryer. Even if the fibers can stand the heat, the backing will be weakened or ruined all together. Hang them outside or over a door to dry. If they seem a little stiff, run the vacuum over them after you lay them down.

Tips & Warnings

Freshen rugs between cleanings with a little baking soda. Sprinkle and let it sit for a few minutes and then vacuum up.
Don't cram a rug that's really too big into the pillow case. It won't get clean and it could damage it.