An area rug can be used as an accent in a family room, den, or bedroom.If they are in high-traffic areas within your home, they will pick up dirt and need to be cleaned.The rug can be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner.If you want to clean a stained or dirty rug, you need to use a rug cleanser.
Step 1: The rug needs to be vacuumed.
Pull your vacuum cleaner back and forth across the top of your rug to suck up the dust and debris.You should clean the entire rug by working in parallel strokes.It's a good idea to vacuum your rug at least once a week.The knob on the vacuum that controls its power may need to be adjusted for the thickness of the rug.Dust and dirt can be removed from a shag rug with a vacuum.The beater bar on the vacuum should be turned off so you don't damage the rug.If you don't have a turn-off for the beater bar, you can borrow a different vacuum from a friend.When vacuuming an Oriental rug or a home-made or hand-knotted rug, set a sheet of nylon screening over the rug for protection.Take the edges of the nylon and weigh them down.Allow baking soda to sit on your rug before vacuuming.This will make your rug smell better.
Step 2: The area rug needs to be vacuumed.
The underside of the rug can get quite dirty if rug owners don't look at it.Once the top of the rug is free of dirt, lay it flat on the ground.The same technique can be used to clean the bottom of the rug.Once you have vacuumed the underside, flip the rug back right-side up.
Step 3: Smaller area rugs should be shook outdoors.
Pick the rug up and carry it outside if it's less than 4–5 feet in diameter.Hold on to the edge of the rug and shake it.There are pieces of dirt and food stuck in the rug fiber.You can beat the rug with a broom handle if you hold it in the air.If you see dust coming from the rug, keep beating it.If you are cleaning an expensive area rug, don't use a broom.It might be best not to shake the rug outside.
Step 4: A stiff brush can be used to remove pet hair.
Pet hair may be embedded in your rug depending on the type of rug you have.If there is still fur in the rug, you should brush it with a stiff bristle brush.To remove animal hair, brush hairy spots on the rug with short, repetitive strokes.You can buy a brush with plastic bristles at a hardware store.The metal bristles on the brush will tear up the rug.
Step 5: A rug cleanser is designed to clean the material of your rug.
If you don't know what type of material your rug is made from, check the manufacturer's tag.There is a tag on the underside of the rug.A bottle that says it cleans the type of material that your rug is made of is a good sign.Purchase rug wash at home improvement stores.It may be for sale at a hardware store.Some rug materials can't be fully saturated with water.Make sure to double check the material for your rug.
Step 6: To test the cleaner, apply it to the corner of the rug.
A small amount of rug shampoo can be applied to a 2 inch patch of the rug.Wait for 2 hours and look at the area where you applied the cleanser.If it is not discolored, you can apply the shampoo to the entire rug.You will need to buy a different type of rug if the patch is discolored.Continue testing until you find one that works.
Step 7: You can spray your rug with a garden hose outdoors.
The entire rug needs to be saturated since it only works on wet rug fibers.Water can be sprayed from a hose across the rug.It is best to do this on a warm day so that your rug doesn't get wet.You can dump water across the surface of the rug if you don't have a hose.
Step 8: The rug fibers need to be scrubbed with a soft bristle brush.
To squeeze out the suggested amount from the wet rug, follow the directions on the packaging.Set to work with a brush.Once the rug is covered in a thick foam of bubbles, scrub the top surface.If there are areas on the rug that are stained or dirty, it's a good idea to scrub them hard.There may be muddy footprints or food stains on the rug.
Step 9: To wash the rug, spray it with the hose.
After you have washed and scrubbed the entire surface of the rug, turn the hose back on and re- spray it.Continue rinsing the rug fibers until you can see the suds and bubbles.If you don't have a hose, use half a dozen buckets of water to rinse off the rug.
Step 10: Remove excess water by squeezing the rug.
Your rug will be wet at this point.To speed up the drying process, run a squeegee along the top side of the rug.The water will get out of the rug's fibers.If you want to avoid damaging the rug, always slide the squeegee in the direction of the nap.You can buy a squeegee at a hardware store.
Step 11: To dry the rug, lay it flat.
Put the rug in an out-of-the-way area of your home, such as a closet or pantry.A rug will take a few days to dry.pat the surface of the rug to see if it is dry.flip the rug over and let the underside dry.Set up fans in the room to circulate air over the rug and help it dry quickly.After the rug has dried, give it a shake or 2 to fluff it up and return it to its spot on the floor.