How to Clean Olefin Rugs

You're watching Sunday afternoon football, drinking beer and hanging with friends. Take a good look at the field. If it is artificial turf, it's likely made of the same stuff as that pricey Berber carpet under your feet. While we don't recommend that you bring a bunch of cleat-wearing, grungy football players in to scrimmage on your rug, this gives you an idea of just how durable your carpet can be. Olefin, or polypropylene, is second only to nylon for manufacturing carpet. While it is certainly tough, according to the Carpet Buyers Handbook, it does take a bit of know-how to clean well.

Things You'll Need

• Vacuum
• Paper or terrycloth towels
• Sponge
• Dish detergent
• 3 percent hydrogen peroxide
• Glass measuring cup
• Bucket
• Sponge mop

Instructions

1. Vacuum the rug at least once a week. Good Housekeeping recommends that twice a week is best. The suction will pull any dirt or debris from the base of the carpeting to the surface and keep much of the soil or stains from setting.

2. Blot up any residue from a fresh stain or spill with paper or terrycloth towels. Rub the stain with a wet sponge with a few drops of dish detergent on it to take care of any surface staining.

3. Clean your whole rug by mixing one cup of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide with one gallon of water. Use a glass measuring cup to measure the peroxide. Sponge on lightly with a sponge mop. You do not need to saturate the rug. When dry, vacuum. The oxygen in the peroxide will remove any dingy yellowish tinges in the rug. There is no need to rinse; olefin is plastic.

References

• Carpet Buyers Handbook
• Good Housekeeping