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How to Clean Area Rugs

Area rugs are a great way to make a house feel like a home. In addition to the way that a Persian rug can spice up and complete a room, floor rugs actually improve the air quality in your home by trapping, and thus filtering out, dirt and allergens. In order to ensure that your area rugs are looking and functioning their best, they should be deep cleaned 1-2 times a year, or when they start looking visibly dingy. When it comes to cleaning your floor rugs, there are several options for keeping your home healthy and beautiful. Before you decide between going it on your own or calling in a carpet cleaning service, double check the specific cleaning instructions for your rug. Good quality rugs can be expensive, and it is important to protect your investment by caring for them in the way that was intended.

Additionally, antique or oriental rugs require special care. If you own one of these, it is necessary to call a professional carpet or rug cleaning service. Don’t risk ruining your valuables by attempting to clean them without the experience of a professional.

Do-it-yourself:

If you do decide on a DIY option, there are a few simple steps that make cleaning your area rug very doable. First, always prepare your rug by shaking away excess dirt and grime. Then, use a vacuum to lift away further dust, taking care to use gentle settings and avoid tearing/separating the rug from its rubber backing.

Next, choose your cleaning product. It is important to select the most safe and effective cleaner for your rug, so it is worth the effort to do some research. For instance, a gentle laundry detergent can work well on wool or cotton rugs, and dish detergent can be used on synthetic fibers. Additionally, different carpet shampoos are made for different rug types, so take the time to find a good match for the rug in your home.

While doing-it-yourself is cost-effective and practical, nothing could be more disappointing than ruining your area rug by washing it yourself. That is why the next step is so crucial: make sure to test your cleaner on a small, inconspicuous part of the rug. Once you are confident that the cleaner will not make the colors run together, you can move on to washing the rug.

Washing the rug itself will require a good amount of water, so using a garden hose is recommended (note: do not fully saturate a wool rug). Additionally, using hot water is likely to make the colors bleed, so use cold water to protect the fibers in your rug. Once it is completely wet, use a gentle brush or sponge to work the cleaning solution into a lather and apply it to the rug. Be cautious and attentive while scrubbing; do not use excessive pressure, and stop immediately if you suspect that the rug is being damaged. Often a patting or blotting motion is safer than rubbing. Once clean, use the hose to thoroughly rinse your rug-- continue rinsing until all traces of soap/bubbles are completely gone.

The final (and potentially most important) step is to ensure that your rug is dried completely before returning it to its place in your home. Drying might take several days, but it is vital because a damp rug is a perfect breeding ground for harmful bacteria. Set your rug out to dry in a well-lit, open area with good airflow to speed the drying process and minimize that threat. You can also help your rug dry faster by ringing it out or using a squeegee to remove excess water immediately after rinsing away the soap.  

Professional Area Rug Cleaning:

Some professional rug cleaning services use steam-cleaning or other shampooing techniques to care for your rugs and carpets. These techniques use a lot of water, and can increase the risk of bacteria growth. Whether you are washing a rug yourself or calling in a professional, you want your rugs to dry as quickly as possible to cut down on harmful bacteria. Hot Carbonating Extraction is a method which lifts dirt and grime out of the fibers of rugs and carpeting using a carbonated cleaning solution. This method utilizes less water and allows carpets and rugs to dry faster. Chem-Dry uses a tested Hot Carbonating Extraction method to clean carpets and rugs in a way that improves the health and safety of your home. With locally-owned Chem-Dry franchises available nationwide, finding your local Chem-Dry is an easy and effective way to care for your rugs.


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