Vacuuming can clean the surface of your rugs, but it doesn’t get the dirt that’s fallen deep into the fibers of the carpet. Deep cleaning your rugs every now and then ensures they are nice and clean for you and your family. Make sure to always follow the instructions on the tag of your rug. If they are antique or too delicate, you should get them cleaned professionally.
You don’t need to clean them on a schedule, just whenever you see them becoming a little too dirty. How quickly your rugs will become dirty depends on your family’s foot traffic, lifestyle, and if you have pets. However, you should probably vacuum at least once a week to keep a generally clean home. If you’ve noticed your rugs have been super dirty continue reading to find out how you can clean them yourself.
What You’ll Need
- Vacuum
- Broom
- Carpet shampoo or mild soap
- Bucket or garden hose
- Soft-bristle brush or sponge
Quick Odor Fix
If your rugs aren’t too dirty but they smell a little stinky, try sprinkling some baking powder over the rug and letting it soak in for 15-20 minutes. Vacuum it when the time is up and your rug should smell so much better!
Cleaning Your Rugs
The first task you’re going to need to do is vacuum your rugs. Don’t forget the other side! Vacuum both sides to make sure most of the dirt you can get with the vacuum is taken care of. If you have a non-slip mat underneath, shake it out to make sure no dirt is sticking around in there.
Then you’ll want to take your rug outside. Prop it up on something like a handrail or a fence and beat it with a broom or your hand. Do this until you don’t see any dirt or dust coming out from the rug.
To begin washing your rug you’ll need to lay it on a flat surface, preferably on a surface that’s not the bare ground—you’re trying to clean the rug not get it muddy. If you have an accessible garden hose that’s great! It’ll make soaking and rinsing the rug a whole lot easier. You can also fill a bucket of water and pour it on the rug until it’s soaking wet.
If you’re using a store-bought carpet cleaner make sure to follow the directions on the back of the bottle. If you’re using a mild-soap mix it with warm water (not hot or it could disfigure your rug!) in your bucket. Make sure you do a patch test on your rug to make sure your soap of choice won’t make the colors bleed. If they do bleed, you probably won’t want to use that to clean your rug!
Now it’s time to get down on your hands and knees and lather up the fibers of your rug. Taking your soft-bristle brush or sponge, work your soap into the rug and form a nice lather. When you’re done with this step, don’t rinse the rug out just yet. Let the soap soak into the rug for at least 5 minutes to lift away any dirt or debris that could still be stuck inside.
Rinse your rug until the water runs clear. Take a towel and pat the rug as dry as possible. Hang it back up on the handrail or fence to allow it to completely dry.
When it’s done air drying, you’re good to bring it back inside. You’re going to want to vacuum it again to reset any fibers that might have dried a little wonky.
RCH Professional Cleaning specializes in thorough cleaning services for homes and businesses in Southwest Missouri. If you need your rugs professionally cleaned, we can help! Contact RCH Cleaning today or call 417-763-8365 for more information.
