Forget what you may have heard. There is definitely a right way and a wrong way to clean a rug. Lucky for you, this guide on how to clean a rug is all you need to return a dusty, dirty rug to its former glory.
This guide will work for small and large area rugs. Before you begin, make sure you have several hours before you need the rug back in place. So, let’s not waste any more time – these are the 5 steps to cleaning a rug.
1. Collect Supplies and Vacuum
For this project, you will need a vacuum cleaner, rug shampoo (can also use soft dish soap), a large bucket, a brush or sponge, and warm water. We recommend doing this project outside because it can be messy. If you are going to clean inside, collect a few old towels too. You may also want rubber gloves to protect your skin.
2. Vacuum
Vacuum or sweep both sides of the rug thoroughly to remove all dust and hair (especially if you have pets). Use the vacuum attachments for any tough-to-reach spots of the rug.
3. Clean and Brush
Get your rug cleaner ready or put your dish detergent in the bucket with warm water and mix them together. Test whichever cleaning solution you plan to use on a small spot of the rug first to make sure it doesn’t cause the colors to bleed.
Use the brush and shampoo to lather the surface of the rug. Leave the shampoo for about 5 minutes to let it penetrate the surface of the rug.
3. Rinse
Rinse the rug to remove excess shampoo or soapy water. You can tell that the rug is rinsed properly when the water coming off it is clear.
4. Dry
Finally, let it dry. Keeping the rug outside makes this step much easier but you can dry the rug inside with fans. Depending on the rug, the drying process could take up to a few hours. Be sure both sides are dry before putting it back in place.
5. Vacuum (Again) or Brush
During the rug washing process, the fibers can get stuck together or matted down. To restore the fibers, try vacuuming again or using a dry soft brush.
If the rug is still not to your liking, you have a few options – rent a rug cleaner or call a professional. There may be certain stains or odors that are too tough to remove yourself.
How to Clean a Rug
There it is – how to clean a rug in only 5 steps! Start gathering your supplies and get ready to be amazed at how clean you can get your rug. And of course, if your rug needs special attention, has suffered water damage or if you don’t have the time to go through these steps, don’t be afraid to reach out for help!
You can contact Taylor’s Impressive Carpet Care online or get a free estimate over the phone at (909) 488-4401. We also upholstery and mattress cleaning!