Area Rug Cleaning: How to Clean them the Right Way

There is no doubt about it; rugs are one of the biggest investments a homeowner will make. When you clean your rugs, you make them look good, last longer, and you keep dirt off the floor. You prevent stains from coming back and ruining the appearance of your home.

The best way to clean rugs is to maintain them and not let them get too filthy. A good quality vacuum can go a long way.

If you’ve passed the point where a good vacuuming will do the trick, renting or investing in a shampooer can help lift tough dirt and stains.

Finally, depending on the rug material you may be able to either machine wash the rug or use a pressure washer to blast away dirt.

Vacuum Regularly Between Cleanings

You can use a handheld vacuum, or get a bagless vacuum to remove dirt and stains quickly. And while cordless vacuums or Roombas are great for daily maintenance, you’ll want a vacuum with stronger suction to do the necessary deep cleaning. 

Using a corded vacuum once a week can help to get out any dirt the less powerful vacuums missed. Preventing build up and potential stains from sinking in.

Of course if you spill something on your rug, you’ll want to try and clean it right away, check out our post on the best ways to get stains out of carpet.

Shampoo Your Area Rug

Area rugs are great for their looks but if they aren’t cleaned often enough they will quickly begin to look dingy and dirty, no matter how much you vacuum. Which is why it’s important to regularly shampoo your area rug.

If you don’t have a shampooer, then you can likely rent one from your local grocery store for around $40.

Using either your own shampooer or a rented one, be sure to purchase the appropriate cleaning solution.

You should shampoo your rug with a gentle shampoo. Never use a shampoo that isn’t recommended for rugs. You may damage your rug if you don’t pay special attention to the directions on the rug.

If your rug sits on hardwood floors, consider moving it outside to the garage. You don’t want to end up with water damage to your floors from excess water.

Before cleaning the entire rug, take steps with spot removal to ensure all the stains will lift.

Use the shampooer as directed with warm water. Once the dirty water compartment is full, empty it. Keep shampooing until the water in the dirty water compartment comes clean. If you only make one pass, then your entire cleaning process will be for no real results.

Carpeted Stairs and Stair Runners

It is very important to keep stairs clean and free from dirt and moisture but it can be a challenge to clean them.

If you are unable to remove the runner, then you’ll need to find a special stair attachment that will work with your shampooer. While the upholstery brush can do a good job getting most of the fabric clean, a stair attachment will ensure every nook and cranny gets clean.

Stair attachments come in two main types, there are those that attach directly to the hose and those that connect to an extension wand.

If you’re using a wand, be sure to get the correct size for your shampooer. The length of the wand determines how far the nozzle extends into the carpet.

A shorter wand will allow you to reach more areas than a longer one. But if you go too short, then you won’t be able to reach all the places where you might need to clean.

Pressure Wash Low Pile Rugs

For inexpensive rugs or those with a low pile, using a pressure washer can be a great way to get them clean. Just place the rug on the ground (make sure there is good drainage) while you hold the head of the machine over the rug.

Then, slowly, using a fairly low-pressure tip, spray water on the rug until you get the desired level of cleanliness.

If there are any particular stains, make sure you use a stain spot remover on them to loosen the grime before pressure washing.

You can rinse the rug by spraying more water on it or by using a wet/dry vacuum. It’s also a good idea to flip your area rug over to make sure both sides get clean.

Once you’re happy with the result, lay the rug flat to dry and allow it to dry completely before putting it back.

Look into Washable Rugs

If the idea of shampooing or pressuring washing your rugs is just too much, consider investing in washable rugs. There are several companies that cater to those looking for easy-to-clean rugs. 

Ruggable is perhaps the most well-known company that sells washable rugs, but there are others out there as well. 

If your area rugs need cleaning or something spills on them, simply put them in the washing machine to get clean and then lay them flat to dry. They require very little special care and come in a wide variety of sizes and styles.

Bottom Line

Your home is your pride and joy, and keeping it looking nice adds to your enjoyment of it.  When you take the time to clean your area rug, you will make your home a great place to live in.

So be sure to clean your area rugs regularly,  regular cleaning is especially important if you have pets or kids. Make sure to clean your area rugs thoroughly, otherwise, you will get dust and allergens all over your home.

If you have any questions let us know in the comments!