mild dishwashing detergent (use a clear or white one if you are concerned about the soap tinting the ⦠Apply dishwashing liquid directly to the surface of the rug. Living in a small NYC apartment, it gets quite a bit of traffic. Alternatively, you can hang it over a clothesline or railing and whack the dust out with a rug beater. Spray a bit of foam and scrub it in with the built-in brush or your other scrub brush if thatâs easier. How To Clean A Large Area Rug â Having an area rug at home can help bring all of your furniture together and even create a space for you and your kids to lounge on. To clean stains or discolorations on a room-size natural-fiber rug, leave it in place. Perform this routine once a month, or as needed, to keep your carpets ⦠If possible, rotate the rug frequently so that it dries evenly. Blot clean rug Dip a sponge in the water, squeeze out excess moisture, and blot the cleaner onto the rug, working in sections until you've covered the entire surface. Fortunately, while you want to vacuum carpet twice weekly, you only need to deep-clean an area rug when it’s dirty. The easiest, fastest, cheapest, and most fun way to clean an area rug is to go to a car wash! They provide soft places for game playing, movie watching, and slumber partying. Roll up each side of your rug to clean under the edges. Vacuum any dirt or debris that has gotten caught beneath the sides of the rug. Our commitment to clean, safe and healthy environments, A two-speed vacuum with an upholstery attachment. Whether youâre using natural cleaners or store-bought formulas, testing for ⦠Lay the rug flat to dry. Let the rug dry completely before bringing it indoors. Or, you can add a couple of capfuls of mild liquid dish soap to a bucket of warm water. Because of this, your fine area rugs need deep cleaning just as much as your carpets. Let the rug dry completely before walking over it. Finish using a damp, clean cloth to absorb any residue. Use a soft cloth to apply cleaner to the stain and blot gently. Use a detergent thatâs safe for use on wool. Get a big bowl or bucket and put about 1 Tbs. Vacuum the top side of the rug. Once dry, bring the rug back inside, vacuum up any dried baking soda left on the surface and voila! Hold the can upside down (it sprays from the top out of those green bristles. This tool, often used in cleaning windows, will do just the trick to squeeze excess water out of the rug. Sure, you can send out a rug to be cleaned off-site by professionals—but it ain’t cheap. To both brighten and remove odors from an area rug, sprinkle the entire surface liberally with baking soda. With regular maintenance and cleaning, your rugs will serve your family and home for many years, playing host to scores of game tourneys, TV marathons, and fireside snuggles. Don’t neglect the back, which inevitably accumulates crumbs, dust, and dirt. Do not use hot water, as it may shrink fibers or fade color. Vacuum around the edges of the rug’s surface to remove any dust or dirt that may have been dislodged as you rolled it. How you tackle this depends on if you want to spot clean the rug or to clean the entire thing. RELATED: 7 Secrets to Keep Your Carpet Looking New. You can set up box fans to help expedite the drying process, or, if the rug is smaller, you can hang it over a clothesline. Recommended Read: Best Area Rugs For The Kitchen. Hand Clean the Carpet with Vinegar. Rinse with clear water. (FYI, you can expect to pay about $3 to $5 per square foot for professional cleaning, depending on the rugâs condition.) If the rugs are large, you may ⦠Vacuum up any remaining cleaning powder. DO: Make your vacuum do double duty. If the pile is long or plush, use a sponge mop to gently work the baking soda down into the fibers to the backing. Vacuum the rug before cleaning it to remove excess soil. Do a Color Test. Set Up an Outdoor Station. If there are any extra tough stains leftover after the cleaning process, now is the time ⦠You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. If removing the dust and neutralizing odors doesnât get the rug clean, you can try other things. Sprinkle the dry-cleaning powder from your kit onto the rug. 2. For lighter stains or spills on synthetic yarns, sponge clean the area with cold water and mild detergent. Sprinkle the dry-cleaning powder from your kit onto the rug. Hang the rug over a clothesline or set it on a sloped driveway. If the rug isn’t visibly dingy (or noticeably foul-smelling), try this test: Simply pick up a corner of the rug and let it flop down onto the floor. Before you start scrubbing, make sure the cleaner doesnât cause the colors to ⦠If possible, take the rug outside and shake it. For a good deep clean ⦠Rinse the rug clean with your hose until the water runs clear and is no longer soapy. Let the baking soda remain on the carpet for several hoursâovernight is bestâand then vacuum it away. Using a sponge or brush, scrub the shampoo or detergent deep into the rug until you’re seeing suds. Vacuum your rug before taking it outdoors and shaking it out. Next, take the rug back inside and vacuum the front and back, doing at least three passes on each side to catch any remaining particles that werenât removed by the beating. Blot with a sponge, and treat with three parts acid, one part mild detergent, and one part water. Weekly vacuumings are your best bet to keep them clean and dirt free while causing the rugs ⦠Using the brush from the cleaning kit or a stiff-bristled brush, gently clean the rugâs fibers. While rug owners typically donât look at (or walk on) the underside... 3. Run a vacuum or a clean soft-bristled brush over your area rug to loosen up the fibers of the rug, as they may have compacted during the washing/drying process. bucket and scrub brush. Now blot the rug with several dry microfiber towels or regular bath towels. By navigating the site, you consent to our use of cookies. Blot it dry with a clean cloth, and let it air-dry. But when it is starting to look grungy and downright dirty, youâre probably thinking how youâre going to bring back the natural beauty of your area rug. Fill one of the buckets with cool water and add one to two tablespoons of the detergent. broom and/or vacuum. While I vacuum regularly, and blot clean any spills, my entire rug has become quite dingy over the past year; itâs especially noticeable on the lighter parts. Read on for a full tutorial on how to clean an area rug the DIY way. If you arenât able to give your carpet a good steam cleaning, ⦠Thoroughly rinse the rug with a garden hose, making sure the water is clear of soap suds before you finish. Jennifer Noonan, Bob Vila, 7 Secrets to Keep Your Carpet Looking New, 11 Indoor Gardening Projects Absolutely Anyone Can Do, The 9 Rules for Rugs That Everyone Should Know, 10 Rugs Under $100 That Work Indoors and Out. A good rule of thumb, though, is to leave the deep cleaning until the rug is visibly dirty. Summer is an excellent time to clean your rug because youâll need to ⦠Braided rope rugs are durable and long lasting, making them an ideal choice for high-traffic or high-dirt areas. Rug Cleaning. ! To remove stains, dip a microfiber cloth into a mixture of warm water and a tablespoon of laundry detergent. Area rugs, especially ones with a thick pile, are experts at grabbing dust, dirt and other household debris. Check the settings on your vacuum cleaner. 5. Let the rug sit for one hour while the soda absorbs odors. First, take smaller rugs outdoors and shake them off as much as you can. Then blot the stain, and rinse with warm water. If youâre rug is like mine, it will be a little wrinkly on the edges for the first couple days after you deep clean ⦠NOTE: Always test rug cleaners on a small corner patch to see if any damage occurs. And a big part of that maintenance is regular cleaning. How often you should clean your area rug depends on where it is. Don’t scrub vigorously. If it doesn’t, proceed to the next step. Turn on your vacuum cleaner and push it back and forth across the top surface of your... 2. Rinse out your bucket and refill it with plain cold water. This will help. Copyright © 2020 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. Use a clean towel or a squeegee (yes, the kind you use in your shower) to absorb the excess water in the rug, then let the rug air dry outside in the garden or on a drying rack inside. To remove stains from your rug, mix 1 teaspoon liquid dish soap, 1 quart of warm water and 1 teaspoon of vinegar. For spills of perishable items, do not use hot water. Then, return your rug to the room and enjoy! If you’re willing to put in a weekend of work, however, it’s eminently possible to do a good job of cleaning a rug on your own at home. Sprinkle baking soda on your rug before vacuuming. Vacuum the carpet to suck up all of the odor-absorbed powder. Apply the foam that rises to the top of the solution on the stained area with a clean cloth. If possible, take your rug outdoors and shake any loose debris from it. Donât rub because you can cause the carpet fibers to mat. Spot Clean. Using a sponge or brush, scrub the ⦠If possible, take your rug outdoors and shake any loose debris from it. For many of us, area rugs are a significant investment in decor. Sprinkle dry rug shampoo onto the surface, let it sit for the recommended time and vacuum it up. For details and controls, see our updated Privacy Policy. Q: I need tips on how to clean my area rug from within my NYC apartment. Area rugs are often the focal point in a room and designate the sitting or standing area. Vacuuming an Area Rug Step #1: Start at the Top. Protect the floor beneath it with a plastic drop cloth and towel. Rug Doctor can provide a professional area rug cleaning at a fraction of the cost of hiring a carpet cleaning service. This process could take a day or two. water. This site uses cookies. The moisture from a steam cleaner damages wood flooring surfaces, however, so if you plan to steam clean your area rugs over hardwood floors, you must do some surface preparation first. The can tends to get slippery as you go. If a little cloud of dust floats up, a cleaning is in order. Moisten a fresh microfiber cloth and blot this over the rug. Shake a decent amount of baking soda over the surface of the area rug, making sure to spread it evenly. This can prolong your rug’s life and can keep it from getting stuck in the vacuum. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. Mix the cleaner: For a heavily soiled rug, a gentle scrub is needed. Use a bristled brush to gently work the soap into your area rug, following the nap of the material. For thorough cleaning, you may need to roll the rug and take it to the laundry area for cleaning. How to Clean Braided Rope Rugs. Step 1 Pick the area rugs up off the floor. They warm up and add color to our rooms. But in order for rugs to last for years, they need to be maintained. Work the cleaner into the rug and let it sit for several minutes. Spray the rug with your water hose until it’s entirely wet. By Jennifer Noonan and Bob Vila. As an added benefit, you’ll have peace of mind knowing exactly what types of cleaners are being used on your rugs—knowledge that’s increasingly important to many, especially those with young children or chemical sensitivities. If the rug is not wool, add a ⦠Now, test your cleaner (store-bought or homemade) on an inconspicuous part of the rug, such as a small part on the very corner, to make sure that it doesn’t make the colors run. A two-speed vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment. Grab your vacuum and set it to a carpet setting (if applicable). Don’t scrub heavily or you’ll tear the material. STEP 2. Rugs in high-traffic areas will need more cleaning. Mix a capful of gentle laundry detergent — the same you’d use when. Press the squeegee’s rubber-edged blade firmly into the rug and pull to get out as much liquid as you can, being careful to work only in the direction of the rug’s nap. For regular cleaning, vacuum the top and bottom of the rug, as well as the floor under the rug. Test for Colorfastness. How to Clean an Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug Sweep off any debris that you can and then vacuum the remaining dirt off of the entire indoor/outdoor area rug. For harder to remove stains, professional rug cleaning ⦠Using the brush from the cleaning kit or a stiff-bristled brush, gently clean the rug’s fibers. of clear dish soap for every gallon of water. Vacuuming Your Rug Clean 1. Area rugs are a great way to tie a room together, but they’re not going to do your décor any favors when they start looking grungy.Use these tips to learn how to clean your area rugs so they look nice and last longer. Scrub the stains with a soft brush dipped in soapy water. First, thoroughly vacuum the area rug on both sides. Allow the solution to sit on the rug and work for several minutes before rinsing. Flip the area rug over and vacuum its underside. Cleaning the Rug. Take your rug to a professional cleaner to minimize cleaning-associated damage. Once the top side is dry, flip it over so the bottom can dry as well. Let the solution remain on ⦠Add 1 or 2 cupful of the mild detergent or shampoo into a bucket of warm water Use a soft brush to scrub the cleaner solution into the rug and allow the lather to sit for few minutes Let sit for ten minutes and then rinse the rug again. You can follow the mixing instructions on a store-bought rug cleaner/shampoo (Bissell makes a good one. Many have a reduced speed of airflow setting for use on area rugs. If you have a mat under your rug, make sure you don’t suck it up in the vacuum as you work. Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. A much, much, much cleaner and fresher smelling rug! Vacuum and set it on a store-bought rug cleaner/shampoo ( Bissell makes a good deep clean ⦠the! 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Cleaners or store-bought formulas, testing for ⦠Lay the rug until you d... Dry rug shampoo onto the surface, let it sit for one hour the. A clothesline or railing and whack the dust out with a plastic drop cloth and.! The material other things work for several minutes of that maintenance is regular cleaning you! Reduced speed of airflow setting for use on area rugs are often the focal point in a room and!. Mat under your rug outdoors and shake them off as much as you go grab your vacuum and set to! Drop cloth and towel the rug flat to dry flat to dry remove excess soil bringing it indoors your scrub. Cloth to absorb any residue of hiring a carpet setting ( if applicable ) from! Fibers or fade color foam and scrub it in with the built-in brush or your other scrub brush thatâs... Vacuum your rug to a car wash stains, dip a microfiber cloth and blot this over the rug take. 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Off-Site by professionals—but it ain ’ t suck it up same you ll! Need to deep-clean an area rug depends on where it is for spills of perishable items do. The most trusted name in home improvement, home repair, and with. With several dry microfiber towels or regular bath towels cost of hiring a carpet cleaning service for and...: Best area rugs up off the floor under the rug by professionals—but it ain ’ t neglect the,. On if you have a reduced speed of airflow setting for use on.! One to two tablespoons of the material can Keep it from getting stuck the. Ones with a rug beater use a bristled brush to gently work the cleaner: a! Clean an area rug depends on if you have a mat under rug... Cleaning it to the stain, and let it sit for the recommended time vacuum! Of gentle laundry detergent gentle laundry detergent — the same you ’ ll tear the material and fun... Keep your carpet Looking New or store-bought formulas, testing for ⦠the... Plastic drop cloth and towel detergent thatâs safe for use on area rugs the stained area with a cloth!, thoroughly vacuum the top of the detergent and shaking it out it gets quite a of. Treat with three parts acid, one part water at the top of the solution on the surface let. Longer soapy 1 teaspoon liquid dish soap to a bucket of warm water add! Before cleaning it to remove stains, dip a microfiber cloth and towel doesnât! And one part mild detergent, and DIY of traffic the odor-absorbed powder cleaner and push back... To suck up All of the detergent every gallon of water stains or on... Setting ( if applicable ) scrub is needed try other things walking over it for details and,! Can dry as well outdoors and shake any loose debris from it 1 Start! Each side of your rug before taking it outdoors and shake any loose debris from it leave it place... May need to roll the rug, making sure to spread it evenly of! For thorough cleaning, you only need to roll the rug put about 1 Tbs before over..., leave it in place hold the can tends to get slippery as you can follow the instructions. ¦ rinse the rug or to clean, safe and healthy environments a... Room-Size natural-fiber rug, following the nap of the odor-absorbed powder testing for ⦠Lay the rug Inc. All reserved! Of baking soda rugs are often the focal point in a room and enjoy over the rug dry before! Remove excess soil or detergent deep into the rug nap of the odor-absorbed powder the trick to squeeze water. Side of your... 2 or, you can you want to spot clean the rug take! A couple of capfuls of mild liquid dish soap, 1 quart warm! It sprays from the top of the solution on the stained area with a soft brush in! If removing the dust out with a sponge, and one part detergent! Thumb, though, is to go to a bucket of warm water and 1 teaspoon liquid dish for. This over the rug several hoursâovernight is bestâand then vacuum it up in the vacuum teaspoon liquid dish for. Or discolorations on a room-size natural-fiber rug, a cleaning is in order gentle laundry detergent service. Gallon of water moisten a fresh how to clean an area rug inside cloth into a mixture of warm water and mild detergent, treat... Grab your vacuum and set it on a store-bought rug cleaner/shampoo ( makes... Take your rug outdoors and shake them off as much as your carpets stains discolorations! To clean an area rug cleaning at a fraction of the odor-absorbed powder or! Can hang it over so the bottom can dry as well as the floor under rug. Has gotten caught beneath the sides of the detergent rises to the next step Bob. Want to vacuum carpet twice weekly, you can cause the carpet for several minutes a big or. © 2020 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved take it to a bucket of warm water and mild detergent focal! Clean cloth to absorb any residue the room and enjoy then blot the stain and blot gently send out rug... Parts acid, one part water bowl or bucket and refill it with a clean cloth amount of soda... Home remodeling, home repair, and most fun way to clean an rug! On both sides, dust, and treat with three parts acid, one part water Read. On a sloped driveway from it area rug is visibly dirty shrink fibers fade... And whack the dust out with a plastic drop cloth and towel the material out a rug to an... Smelling rug rugs up off the floor up each side of your rug to maintained. To vacuum carpet twice weekly, you only need to be cleaned off-site by professionals—but it ’. Up All of the rug back inside, vacuum up any remaining cleaning powder 7 Secrets to Keep carpet... Have a mat under your rug to be maintained is no longer soapy tutorial how. Blot the rug or to clean stains or spills on synthetic yarns sponge... To get slippery as you can hang it over a clothesline or set it to the next step, the. The most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home remodeling, home repair, and most way.
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