How to Wash an Area Rug
Area rugs make great accents to any room. Just like any other type of flooring or carpet, area rugs get dirty and need to be cleaned. Typically, area rugs should be washed only once every year or two. Excessive exposure to water can damage area rugs. If you choose not to take your area rug to a professional cleaner, you can wash an area rug at home. Care must be taken when washing area rugs, though, as oftentimes the fabric is delicate. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Vacuum cleaner
- Clean, damp towel
- Baking soda
- Wool shampoo or mild dish soap
- 1 cup white vinegar
- Soft-bristled scrub brush
- Rubber squeegee
Instructions
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1
Vacuum the area rug thoroughly to remove loose dirt and dust. Use caution when vacuuming around the edges of the rug where there may be fringes attached. Turn the rug over and vacuum the underside, as well, to remove dust and dirt.
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2
Spot clean the area rug as needed. If there is a stain on the rug, treat the individual stain prior to washing the entire rug. Blot the stain with a clean, damp towel to remove the stain. Sprinkling baking soda on the stained area of the rug will lift tough stains. Vacuum up the baking soda once the stain is lifted.
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Wash the top of the rug first. Place the rug in a bathtub filled with lukewarm water. Add a wool shampoo or mild detergent to the water. Add 1 cup of white vinegar as well.
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Scrub the rug gently using a soft-bristled scrub brush, scrubbing in the same direction as the nap. Avoid scrubbing forcefully so as not to damage the rug's fibers.
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Flip the rug over in the bathtub and wash the underside. Use the soft scrub brush to thoroughly scrub away any dirt or dust that has collected.
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Rinse the rug with plain water to remove soap and dirt residue. A shower head attachment works well for rinsing. Continue rinsing until the water runs clear.
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Let the water out of the bathtub while leaving the rug inside. Use a rubber squeegee to go over the rug to remove excess water. Run the squeegee in the direction of the nap.
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Lay the rug flat to dry with the carpeted side up. Ideally, lay the rug outside on a clean driveway or patio to air dry. Once the carpeted side of the rug feels dry, turn the rug over to dry the underside, which will likely still be damp. Allow the rug to dry thoroughly before placing it back into position on the floor.
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Tips & Warnings
Clean the rug outdoors on a nice day if you prefer. Lay the rug on a clean driveway or patio and fill a bucket with the cleaning solution noted above. Scrub the rug and rinse with the garden hose.
Test the product you are using to clean area rugs on an inconspicuous area of the rug. Area rugs are made of a variety of materials. This will ensure that the cleaning solution will not damage the fibers.
