Area rugs are one of the best accessories every home could ever have. It pretty much gives your interiors and exteriors a character. You’re definitely one of the many household owners who rush to rugs on sale just to purchase the area rugs that fit your home style at a very affordable price. So, you’ve bought some great pieces of amazingly-looking rugs which have perfectly landed on your home floor. Now, the million dollar question is – What is the right way of cleaning it?

Area Rug Cleaning Tips

Every home deserves a stunning area rug that will bring out the best of your home space. It does not only create zones in your living room or dining area, but it also makes colors alive and vibrant. However, the bittersweet side of it is the dirt and stains that can collect and accumulate over the days of being in use. So, together with purchasing an area rug is the responsibility of maintaining it properly to keep its product-life long-lasting.

Here are some tips on how to properly clean and remove stains on your area rugs based on their type and material:

Let’s start with the basic

When it comes to rug cleaning there are factors that you have to consider: size, material, and construction. Now, there are cleaning routines that you have to follow if you wanted to keep your area rugs as functional as ever.

• Vacuum to remove dirt and grime: just like how you clean your carpet, a regular vacuum routine is one of the most important ways of cleaning an area rug. If you have a reversible rug, then you have to vacuum each side. Be careful to not vacuum any fringe to avoid your rug to easily wear out.
• Bush all pet hair: if you have furbabies it is necessary to remove every single piece of pet hair on your rug. Vacuuming it cannot remove everything so you have you use a stiff brush that will help you remove it.
• Shake small-sized rugs: if your area rugs are handy enough to be carried anywhere, you can just shake off all the dirt and grit outside or around your backyard.

The Rug Material

When it comes to rug material there are some area rugs that require a special kind of cleaning. Do check the tag on the rug as your rug-cleaning reference guide.

• Braided or Woven Rugs

In cleaning this kind of material always check the stitching before and after you clean it. Check the tag if it’s washable or not. If they are washable, put them inside a mesh laundry bag and follow the instruction for machine washing.

For large-sized rugs, place it on a concrete or vinyl floor and gently sponge the surface in the direction of the wool. You can vacuum or rinse it after and dry it well before positioning it back on the floor.

• Antique, Handmade, Hand-Knotted and Oriental Area Rugs

For this type of material, vacuum-clean it as you do with carpet and wool rugs. While for antique or vintage area rugs, you have to be extra careful in cleaning them. Do not vacuum them directly, instead, cover it with a nylon screen, then vacuum it over the screen. You also have to have them cleaned up professionally at least once a year. Reposition your rugs to avoid wearing off also, direct sunlight can easily cause color fading.

If you are more into antique rugs, always ask the seller on how to properly maintain the rug as well as tips in cleaning it and other kinds of rugs too.

Removing Stains From Rugs

Expect some unavoidable situations where your rugs will be stained from spills, food, and other substances. Remember to never let the stain settle long, remove them immediately if you can. Here are some tips on how you can remove it:

• Soft drinks and Alcohol

Make a mixture of 1 tsp of liquid dish soap, warm water, and ¼ tsp of vinegar. Apply it on the stain, rinse it well, then dry it.

• Tea or Coffee

Use the same mix as the one above. If it becomes a hard to remove stain, use a commercial carpet cleaner.

• Bubble Gum

Try to remove what you can, then use ice cubes inside any plastic bags, then top it on the gum residue to harden it. Once it solidifies, use a spoon or knife to remove it. Use a spot cleaner if necessary, then vacuum-clean the rug.

 

See, decorating your home with area rugs is truly amazing, but keeping it clean and spotless is your major challenge. When buying from rug stores Virginia, you can always ask the seller about ways how to keep that rug clean and if there are any special procedures for cleaning it well aside from vacuuming it and a commercial carpet cleaner. Research to be more knowledgeable about your area rugs.