Shag rugs are coming back, even though they’re not quite harvested gold or burnt orange all over the place. Shag rugs of today come in a variety of trendy colors and can be fashioned from leather, synthetic fibers, or natural yarns. They can create a dramatic effect in a home. Nevertheless, compared to rugs with short threads, shag tends to hold more soil because of its long, soft pile, which feels warm and comfortable underfoot. The good news is that cleaning a shag rug isn’t hard to master; it simply requires a little extra time.
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The Frequency of Shag Rug Cleaning
It is advised to vacuum your shag rug every day if it is in a high-traffic location to preserve the pile fluffy and free of soil. Though most of us don’t vacuum every day, attempt to vacuum the rug a few times a week and give it a deeper cleaning once a month, or more often as needed.
How to Clean a Shag Rug
Remove Any Loose Soil
To begin with, if the rug is small enough, take it outside and shake it vigorously to remove any loose dirt or dust and to fluff the strands. To loosen soil, you may also drape it over a railing and give it a couple of whacks with a broom.
Vacuum Away Dust and Dirt
- The beater head of many vacuums with revolving brushes is too hard on the fibers of shag rugs. Disengage the beater bar and adjust the cleaning head to the highest pile setting if your vacuum is upright. Don’t use the vacuum if you are unable to make those adjustments to the parameters.
- The ideal vacuuming option is to use a hose with an upholstery or dust tool attachment, which provides a softer suction and protects the fibers from tearing. To remove the dust and grime, work in a grid, covering each stroke.
- Flip the rug over and use the upholstery attachment or the vacuum with the beater bar engaged and the lowest pile setting to clean the back. If the rug is too large to fold over in one piece, access the back by folding over individual parts at a time. Make sure you vacuum the floor beneath the rug as well.
Treat Stains
- Examine the rug for spots after vacuuming. Spot-treat them by combining a small amount of dish soap with a cup of warm water. Gently massage the stain with a microfiber towel or soft-bristled brush dipped in the solution. After using a fresh, damp microfiber towel to rinse away any soap residue, blot to dry.
- To ensure that the cleaned area dries as fast as possible, either hang the rug to dry entirely or raise it.
Fluff the Fibers
Use a horsehair upholstery brush, a carpet rake, or your hands to lift and revitalize the fibers in the shag pile. Please don’t tug; be kind!
How to Deep Clean and Brighten a Shag Rug
For a shag rug, using a carpet shampooer with revolving brushes is not advised since the pile might be ruined by too much dampness and scouring. Choose a steamer if you wish to use a machine cleaner. Shag rugs are safest to thoroughly clean by hand; if the rug was very pricey, use a carpet cleaner with expertise.
Vacuum the rug’s two sides
Vacuum the rug completely on both sides, being cautious as mentioned above.
Clean with Dry Carpet Cleaning Powder
- If you intend to clean your shag rug while it’s still in place on a wood floor, first cover the surface with a plastic tarp.
- Sprinkle the rug with commercial dry carpet cleaning powder, as directed on the package label. (A few choices are Oreck Dry Carpet Cleaner, Resolve Ultra Fast Drying Carpet Cleaning Powder, and Capture Carpet & Rug Dry Cleaner.)
- To incorporate the powder into the shag fibers, use a dry sponge mop or a soft-bristled brush. Apply more powder to the affected areas and thoroughly brush it in. It is recommended to let most powders sit on the carpet for at least an hour.
- Shake the rug outside if you can after the suggested waiting period, and then carefully vacuum both sides of the rug to get rid of the powder.
- Using an upholstery brush, carpet rake, or your hands, fluff the pile.
Utilize Baking Soda to Brighten and Freshen
While baking soda won’t completely erase stains, it will help the fibers seem brighter and absorb smells.
- Dust the rug thoroughly with dry baking soda after vacuuming.
- With a nylon brush with gentle bristles, thoroughly work the baking soda into the fibers.
- For at least four hours, or maybe overnight, leave the baking soda on the carpet.
- Vacuum the carpeting thoroughly after shaking out the powder.
- Give the fibers some fluff.
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