How To Best Clean Area Rugs

Area rugs are great for enhancing the look and feel of a room. They come in a variety of sizes, shapes, colors, and patterns. There are also a number of different fabrics available from wool to silk to sisal.

But sooner or later these fantastic complements are certain to get soiled. Spills, pets, soil from foot traffic, just to name a few, are all typical occurrences in the life of an area rug. And if not taken care of properly, these nuisances can not only diminish their visual charm, but also cut short the lifespan of the rugs.

The first and most important point is to know your rug. What is it made of? This is extremely important mainly because not all rugs are cleaned exactly the same way. Cleaning a wool rug is different than cleaning a silk rug. And cleaning a shag rug is definitely not the same as sisal. Being aware of the type of area rug you possess will dictate the method and sort of chemicals, if any, you would employ to clean it.

The easiest way to maintain and clean your rug is to vacuum it regularly. It’s recommended that you vacuum your area rugs whenever you vacuum your carpet. This is sometimes all you will need to maintain the look of the rug. It is also suggested that you vacuum the bottom of your rug every 3-6 months. If your vacuum has it, use the beater attachment.

If this particular option is not offered on your vacuum then you can also take the rug outside and hang it over a clothesline or perhaps a fence. Then you would proceed to vent all that stored frustration by beating on the back of the rug with a broom or something similar. This loosens up any of the dirt or dust that in time makes its way through the rug fibers and into the back of the rug.

It is suggested that you hand wash your area rug once a year. Washing your rug replenishes the natural moisture within the rug fibers and revives the vibrancy of the colors. This is how knowing your rug comes into play. The kind of rug you have will define the type of shampoo or detergent, if any, you will use. Don’t forget to employ a soft brush to scrub the rug. You do not want to damage the fibers.

Right after cleaning you want to rinse out the rug thoroughly. If your rug is hanging simply use a hose and apply the water from top down until the runoff is clear. After that you can make use of a chamois or squeegee to take out the excess water. Leave the rug outside to finish drying.

Not only will regular cleaning keep your rugs looking great, it will also maximize their lifespan.

Visit Rug Cleaning Naperville or Rug Cleaning Richmond to set up an appointment.