How To Clean A Rug At Home in 7 Easy Steps

Is it safe to clean a rug by yourself?

If you decide to clean the rug by yourself at home, make sure that you have all the necessary materials handy before starting. You can also consider the following tips to assist you in effectively and efficiently cleaning your rug.



How do you deep clean a rug at home?

When it comes to deep cleaning a rug at home, here are a few steps that you can follow:



1. Identify the rug's material

Before getting into the cleaning process, you should first identify your rug's materials to ensure that you don't damage it. This is essential in order to determine how you should clean the rug. Common materials used for area rugs include wool, synthetic fibers, and cotton.

To determine the material of your rug, you can check the care instructions on the label. In addition, you should also do a colour test. To do this, test your cleaning solution on a corner of the rug to see if does not cause any colour bleeding. If the material is colorfast, you can confidently proceed to the next step.



2. Vacuum the area to remove dirt and debris

3. Prepare your cleaning solution

Your cleaning solution will depend on the type of material your rug has. Instead of using different cleaning agents to clean an area rug, use a rug shampoo that is specifically designed for that material. Some rugs are sensitive to certain cleaning agents so be sure to read the label and follow the instructions as much as possible. Do not use harsh carpet shampoo when deep cleaning your area rug as this might damage the fibres.

For wool rugs, use wool shampoo if you have any. Wool rugs are very delicate, so it is important to choose the right cleaners. But if you don't want to use commercial cleaning products, you can also make a homemade cleaning solution by mixing one cup of white vinegar with a gallon of warm water.

For synthetic fibers, you can mix mild dish soap in a bucket of warm water or cold water for wool rugs. Do not use hot water to prevent the rug from shrinking and fading. Furthermore, you can also add a few drops of essential oil to the solution to make your rug smell better.



4. Wash the rug

Now that you have prepared your cleaning solution, it's time to wash the area rug. Lay your rug flat on the floor and turn your garden hose on and soak up your rug to get wet. While others don't recommend getting your entire rug wet when deep cleaning, it can be necessary, particularly for heavier stains.

If you are having trouble with a stain, wet that area of the rug with the stain and let it soak for a few minutes. Afterwards, use your cleaner and a soft bristle brush to scrub away the stubborn stains from your rug. Work the shampoo or solution deep into the fibres for a thorough cleaning, then allow the cleaner to sit on the rug for a few minutes before rinsing it.



5. Rinse the rug

Once you're confident that all the dirt and stains have been removed, start rinsing the rug using a garden hose or buckets of clean water. Do this until the shampoo has been completely rinsed and the runoff water is clear.

While rinsing, you can also brush the rug gently to remove excess soap suds. This will help bring out the rug's original colour and texture. Don't forget to change the water in between rinses and do this repeatedly until the rug is completely clean. You don't want to leave any soap suds in the rug as it could really be sticky and uncomfortable, attracting more dirt over time.



6. Remove excess water

There are a couple of ways you can remove as much excess water from your rug to let it dry faster. Either you can use a dry towel to absorb the moisture or use a squeegee to push out the water. If you have a wet-dry vacuum, you can also use it to quickly and efficiently suck up the water.

For larger rugs, you can use a blower or heater to speed up the drying process. Just be careful when using these tools as they can damage your rug if put closely on the rug fibers.

Another trick is to sprinkle baking soda all over the fibres of the rug and let sit for at least thirty minutes to a few hours. This will not only help absorb moisture but it will also remove any bad odor that is left in your rug. Then, you can vacuum the baking soda off afterwards.



7. Let your rug air dry completely

After removing all the water, your rug will still be wet and you may need to wait further for it to dry completely. Air dry your rug as a final step. Air drying removes as much excess water from the rug to make sure that no mould or mildew will grow on it.

Place your rag outside a clean area and hang it under the sun to speed up the drying process. If it’s too cold outside to leave it out, you can put your rug in your laundry area or garage where there is enough space and good ventilation.

You can also use a fan or dehumidifier to help move air around and dry the rug faster. Once your rug is completely dry, use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to remove any dust or dirt that may have accumulated during the drying process.

Depending on how big your rug is and how hot the climate is, drying may take a couple of days to weeks before your rug completely dries.



What is the best thing to clean a rug with?

If your goal is to keep your rugs looking great and extend their lifespan then you should use the right tools and cleaners to do so. Here are some of the best tools to use when cleaning your rug:

• rug shampoo or carpet shampoo
• homemade cleaners
• bucket
• water

• sponge
• soft bristle brush
• rubber gloves
  

• garden hose
• wet dry vacuum cleaner
• steam cleaners
  

How do you clean an area rug without washing it?

While most rugs can be cleaned by washing, some types of rugs require special care which means you may need to clean them without washing. Here are some tips for cleaning an area rug without washing it:

Vacuuming

Steam Cleaning

Spot Cleaning

Compared to washing which involves cleaning the entire rug, spot cleaning only deals with specific spots in the rug. For instance, if you spill something on your rug, you will only have to clean the part that has the stain. To do this, use a small amount of water and detergent to brush off the spot that needs cleaning. Depending on the type of stain, you can use a brush or sponge to remove it. This method is suitable for areas that have low-foot traffic and those that are not often exposed to dirt and grime.



Deodorising

Deodorising using homemade cleaners is an effective way to clean a rug without washing it. To do this, mix mild soap and warm water with a splash of vinegar then transfer the solution in a spray bottle. Every time you clean your rug, you can just spray the solution and then use a brush to rub it on your rug. This will help neutralise any bad odour that has been absorbed by the fibres. This rug cleaning method is not only effective in scrubbing away dust and dirt but it's also good in eliminating foul smells.



Shaking Rugs Outdoors

If your rug is small, this method is the best and easiest way to clean it. All you need to do is take your rug outside, hang it over a clothesline and shake it up until all dust and dirt is removed. While there are no specific laws in Australia that indicate shaking rugs outdoors is illegal, it's always a good idea to check your local laws and regulations for compliance.



How often should I clean area rugs?

Rugs generally trap lots of dirt, dust, dead skin cells, pet hair, and even viruses and bacteria over time, which is why it is recommended that you clean them at least once a week to keep them looking fresh and for you to maintain a healthy home environment.

Depending on the amount of foot traffic in your home, you should vacuum both sides of your rug to prevent dirt and other debris from building up on the fibres. However, if you have pets or children living inside your house, you may need to do this more frequently as you should.

If you are doing a deep clean, scrub and wash your rugs at least twice a year or every quarter if foot traffic is high. The best time to do a deep clean is during summer when the sun is out and the ground is dry as the sun's UV rays will help in the rug cleaning process.



Takeaway

Cleaning your rug regularly is an important part of keeping your home clean and healthy. Not only that but it also helps improve the look of your home and maintain the lifespan of your rug. For rug owners, there are many different ways on how you can clean your rug at home safely and effectively. Depending on your needs, you can easily clean your rug in no time using the right tools and following the right cleaning processes outlined above.

Whether you are planning to clean your rug yourself or hire a professional cleaner, it is important that you do the job right and carefully. Doing so will ensure that your rug remains in top condition for many years to come. At Elleisha's Property Services, we are an experienced carpet cleaning company for homes, offices, strata buildings, and end-of-lease clients. Our services come with comprehensive insurance coverage, and we only use eco-friendly stain removal products to promote a healthy environment in your space. Get in touch with us to book a free quote of our cleaning services.