Well. it’s finally the time for you to clean your rug with all of those ugly stains around. Luckily, you can get the job done all by yourself at home.
Check out our quick tutorial on how to clean a rug below for your reference.
How to Clean a Rug
Grab these supplies:
- Carpet shampoo (depends on the rug type)
- Baking soda (depends on the rug type)
- Gentle dish soap (depends on the rug type)
- Water
- Bucket
- Soft bristle brush
- Vacuum
- Hose (depends on the rug type)
Follow the steps below:
Vacuum your rug
This step is better done outside since you can clean the two sides of the rug. Vacuuming the rug is a good way to remove loose dirt and debris. For those who have pets, use a pet fir attachment so you can really get into the fibers. Do those steps to the two sides of the rug.
Learn the type of your rug
Different type of material requires different cleaning solution, so you should really know what’s yours. Below are the top three rug materials and what kinds of home supplies suit them well.
- Wool rugs – You can mix a few drops of gentle dish soap, like Woolite, with a gallon of warm water.
- Jute rugs – You can sprinkle some baking soda that will work to handle their fibers.
- Woven rugs – This type of rug can handle most commercial cleaners, so you don’t have to worry about it.
If you are unsure, you can read the manufacturer’s instructions. Most home rugs can be cleaned with a mixture of warm water with mild dish detergent. To further check, you can try every cleaning solution that you choose (commercial or homemade) in the hidden spot of your rugs.
(Read also: Entryway Rug Buying Guide | How to Choose the Right Rug)
Scrub the rug
Once you are sure what type of cleaning solution you can use, start washing your rug. Here’s what you can do:
Cleaning with soapy water:
- Loosen up the difficult stains with a soft sponge or bristled brush.
- Make a lather with soapy water and leave it for around 15 minutes.
- Scrub the rug several times to clean up the stains.
Cleaning with baking soda:
- Sprinkle some baking soda over the rug to create a thin layer and leave it overnight.
- Vacuum the rug the next day.
- Dab the stained areas with a small amount of warm water.
Cleaning with a commercial cleaner
- Always choose commercial enzyme-based cleaner since it’s very safe for your rug.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions but you may want to leave the cleaner for 30 minutes if your rug smells really bad before finishing the step.
Rinse and dry up the rug
Once you are sure that you have cleaned your rug, it’s time to rinse it with a garden hose or a bucket of clean water. Then, dry the rug outside completely, keep in mind to never bring a wet rug inside.
Vacuum the rug again if necessary when it’s dry. It’s to ensure that no loose debris is left on your rug.
