Area rugs warm up and add colors to our rooms. They quickly collect dust, dirt, and debris. So they need to be maintained. And a big part of that maintenance is regular cleaning. No need to hire a professional you can clean the area rugs yourself. Every area rug owner should know to clean an area rug. With regular maintenance and cleaning, your carpets will serve your family and home for many years.  Rugs in high-traffic areas will need more cleaning.

Vacuuming an Area Rug

One should vacuum the rug regularly for 10-30 minutes to keep dust and debris minimum. Set and push the vacuum back and forth across the carpet. Deodorize your area rug by using backing soda. Sprinkle it across the carpet and allow it to set for a few minutes. The baking soda will quickly absorb any odor. Then, vacuum the entire mat thoroughly to get rid of the powder. Flip it over and vacuum the underside. If you have smaller rugs, take them out and give them a good shake to remove more dust.

Use small, stiff, or rubber brushes to remove hairs. Some vacuums aren’t able to remove embedded pet hairs.

TOOLS NEEDED

• Vacuum
• Rug Shampoo
• Garden hose
• Soft-bristled brush
• Sponge
• Squeegee

Follow these steps for clean, brightened, and refreshed area rugs.

1. Remove loose dirt

• First, thoroughly vacuum the area rug on both sides to remove any lingering dust. 
• Don’t neglect the back, which automatically accumulates more dust and dirt. 
• If the rug is still dusty,  beat it with a broom handle or a similar tool to remove more dust.

2. Mix the cleaner and do a color test

• Always test out the carpet shampoo before applying it to the whole rug.
• Mix your cleaner in water and test it on an inconspicuous part. Make sure that it doesn’t make the colors run.
• Do not use hot water as it may shrink fibers or fade color.
• It’s safe to move on to the next step If the color doesn’t bleed.

3. Clean the Area Rug

• Scrub the shampoo or detergent deep into the rug using a sponge or brush.
• Let the cleaner sit on the rug for five minutes before you start rinsing
• Pay close attention to stained or extra-dirty areas.

4. Rinse the rug

• Thoroughly rinse the area rug using a garden hose.  
• Keep rinsing until the fibers are free of foam or bubbles. 
• Make sure all cleaning solutions remove from the area rug.
• Confirm the water is crystal clear before you finish it.

5. Remove excess water

• Clear out the excess water as much as possible so it will dry faster. 
• Use clean towels to soak up excess water.
• Use a wet-dry vacuum or run a squeegee (work only in the direction of the rug’s nap) to clear out excess water.

6. Allow the rug to dry

• Lay the area rug flat to dry. 
• Once the top of the air dries, flip it over to dry the backside.
• Fresh air or sun can effectively dry the rug.
• Fans can also speed up the drying process.
• Make sure the rug is fully dry before returning it to the room.

7. Vacuum or brush out the rug

• Vacuum the rug last time to loosen up the fibers because they may have compacted during washing.
• Brush it with a soft-bristled brush.