Once you learn this gross fact—that a single square foot of carpeting can hold up to a pound of filth before it even looks dirty—you’ll feel that cleaning your carpets and rugs is necessary. Therefore, a lot of dirt remains on your living room carpets even after routine vacuuming.
Wool carpets are very adept at disguising dirt, and over time, particles can erode the rug’s structural integrity.
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How Often to Clean Rugs and Carpets
Vacuuming on a regular basis is crucial. According to carpet maker Shaw Floors, vacuuming may be necessary every day for carpets in high-traffic areas like your living room or entryway, especially the places where people are continuously stepping. You can get away with running twice a week in areas with less traffic, like your bedroom. (Remember that you may cross this task off your list with the aid of robot vacuums.
The location, usage, and characteristics of your home all play a major role in determining how frequently you should clean your carpets and rugs. Indoor-outdoor rugs, in particular, are subject to extreme weather and wear.
While most carpets only need to be cleaned once a year, rugs in busy households with lots of children and pets or in high-traffic areas could require many deep cleanings annually. It goes without saying that if your rug gets stained, you should clean it right away, which is why washable carpets are a fantastic choice. Rug pads can act as a moisture-proof barrier to prevent spills and are crucial for safeguarding your floors.
How to Clean Little Natural Rugs Made of Wool or Cotton
Get the detergent out
If your rug is colourfast, you can clean the dirt off with a gentle brush or sponge. (Note: To find out if your rug is colourfast, apply a small amount of detergent to a discrete area and gently rub it in with a white cloth. It’s not colourfast if there is dye visible on the fabric.)
Rinse out the rug
To get rid of residue, thoroughly rinse with water that has been diluted with a small amount of white vinegar.
Give it time to dry
Place a thick towel over the carpeting and stand on it to wring out as much moisture as possible. To ensure that the rug dries as soon as possible, hang it.
How to Clean Small Synthetic Rugs
Determine the most effective washing technique
If the rug is machine-woven and very robust, use the mild cycle in the washing machine to clean it. Look for information on the suggested detergent and water temperature on the care tag. Use the natural rug approach if it cannot be machine-washed.
Allow to air dry
To avoid the formation of mold and mildew, hang it somewhere that will dry fast.
How to Clean Larger Area Rugs
Handle the rug with great care
Larger carpets might be a little trickier to handle, so it’s best to reduce the amount of cleaning required by vacuuming frequently and wiping up spills right away.
Before tackling a stain, make sure your rug is colourfast by applying the detergent to a small, discrete area and wiping it with a white cloth to check for any dye leakage.
If the dyes are colourfast, use as little liquid as possible to dampen the area with a sponge dipped in seltzer. After blotting the stain with a white cotton cloth, place two towels over it and stand over it for a short while to evaporate any remaining water.
Use a solution of four parts cold water to one part white vinegar if the dyes are not colourfast, or sprinkle cornstarch over top and vacuum after a day.
Take it outside, if you can
Your rug will dry faster in the sun, so if you’re doing your cleaning, it might be simpler to handle outside. Once you have vacuumed and thrashed out as much dirt as you can, place the rug on a tarp or clean deck.
Select the proper detergent
Whether your rug is made of wool, cotton, or synthetic materials will determine what kind of detergent you require. Before you begin, remember to test the detergent in a discrete area and carefully read the instructions: For best results, some detergents advise leaving the cleaner on the carpeting for a few minutes before rinsing.
Rinse and scrub
Moisten the carpet. If your rug isn’t too sensitive and you’re outside, use a hose; otherwise, use cool water and a sponge. Using a brush, apply the cleanser; if necessary, let it set in.
Rinse again
Use a sponge and cool water or a hose to remove the detergent.
Let it dry
Squeegees, thick towels, and other instruments can be used to extract as much water as feasible. To ensure a more thorough drying process, move the rug to a dry location, such as a garage or mud room, or drape it over a deck railing to allow for increased air circulation.
How to Clean Wall-to-Wall Carpet
Decide which cleaning technique is best for you
Steam cleaners are available for purchase or rental, but professional carpet cleaning is best left to the experts (for a list of services, go to carpet-rug.org).
Clear the carpet of all furnishings
A carpet cleaner you hire will relocate the furniture for you.
Select the appropriate detergent
Make sure the detergent you choose is compatible with your machine and made specifically for the type of carpet you have.
Observe the carpet cleaning machine’s instructions
You may find instructions on how to apply and remove the cleaner from your carpet cleaning machine, as well as how long to allow it to soak into your carpet.
Take caution as it dries
Your carpet may take up to 24 hours to completely dry, so until then, don’t walk on it in anything other than white socks.
Maintain the cleanliness of your rugs
Spot stains with a white cotton cloth to keep your carpet looking clean. Try a carpet cleaner out first in a non-trafficked area. Apply a tiny amount to the white fabric and blot whether it’s okay and doesn’t interfere with the dyes. Next, dab with water.
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