How to Clean Bathroom Rugs

Bathroom rugs are exposed to general dirt and a lot of warmth and moisture. In short time, the rugs may develop a mildew odor if you don't clean them. Most bathroom rugs have a rubber backing to keep them from sliding over a smooth floor. This doesn't mean you cannot wash some of these rugs in a washing machine--you can. You need to be careful when doing so, however, and larger rugs that won't fit in a machine will have to be cleaned another way.

Things You'll Need

• Laundry detergent
• Baking soda or borax
• Vacuum cleaner
• Extension cord
• Carpet shampoo
• Upholstery brush or stiff nylon sponge

Instructions

Machine-Washable Rugs

1. Put washable bathroom rugs into your washing machine. In top-loading machines, if the rug is heavy, place towels in with it so the machine does not go off balance during the cycle. Hintsandthings.co.uk advises against washing rugs with clothes, however. Towels are sturdy enough, typically, to do fine when washed with rugs.

2. Let the machine fill with water. Use warm and not hot water, however. Repair Home warns that high heat in the washer (or dryer) can destroy rubber backing on rugs. Add some laundry detergent and 1/2 cup or some borax (follow label directions for the amount to use). The baking soda or borax will help kill odors on the rug and aid the detergent in getting the rug cleaner.

3. Let the rug soak for 1/2 hour. Run it through a gentle wash cycle. When the cycle has finished, remove the rug and hang it up to air-dry or tumble dry it on low (Hanging it to dry is easier on the backing, however. The dryer heat and the tumbling action can loosen the adhesive that keeps the rubber attached to the rug fabric).

Not Machine Washable

1. Take the rug outdoors and hang it over a fence or a clothesline, with the material side up. Vacuum the rug with a hand-held vacuum or a standard vacuum cleaner (you'll have to use an extension cord, unless it is battery powered).

2. Spray a rug and upholstery cleaner over the entire rug. Scrub the cleaner into the rug using a brush or a stiff nylon sponge. Allow the cleaner to dry.

3. Vacuum the rug again, well. Turn it over now so the rubber backing is face up. If any mildew is apparent on this side, spray it with a household disinfectant spray. Let the rug remain hanging outside for several hours to thoroughly air out.

References

• Hints And Things: Bathroom Rugs
• Repair Home: Bathroom Rugs