How to Clean an Area Rug to Make It Look Like New Again

Caitlin Sole

Tue, June 9, 2015 at 12:15 AM UTC

8 min read

How to Clean an Area Rug to Make It Look Like New Again

Keep your area rugs looking their best by following these simple tips for basic care, deep cleaning, and stain removal.

Area rugs warm up floors, inject color and pattern into a space, and create zones in your home's living quarters. But along with area rugs often come stains and debris, so it's important to know how to clean an area rug.

The first step to cleaning an area rug is to identify your rug's material. This is important in prolonging its life because how to clean an area rug will depend on its material. Our handy area rug cleaning guide will introduce you to the many types of rugs and offer tips and instructions for area rug cleaning and stain removal.

Basic Area Rug Care

Size, construction, and material determine how to clean an area rug best. Care for large area rugs as you would wall-to-wall carpet. That means most rugs will benefit from the following care routine:

Vacuum large area rugs to remove dirt: As with carpet, regular vacuuming is the most important area rug cleaning step you can take. If a rug is reversible, vacuum both sides. This removes grit and grime that can wear out your rug prematurely. Take care not to vacuum any fringe. (Turn off the beater bar when vacuuming a shag rug to avoid tangling long fibers.)
Brush out pet hair: A vacuum will sometimes leave pet hair behind. Use a stiff brush to remove the hair, brushing in the direction of the nap of the rug.
Turn rugs every year: Foot traffic and sun can put extra stress on area rugs. Turn them once or twice a year to even out the wear.
Shake small area rugs: If the rug is small enough, you can take it outside and shake it or beat it vigorously to remove dirt and grit. Some areas have ordinances about shaking rugs outdoors, so check your local codes first.

How to Clean an Area Rug: Material-by-Material Guide

Particular types of rugs require special cleaning care. File away care tags on the rug for easy reference. Pay close attention to the manufacturer's recommendations for deep cleaning and using a rug shampooer or a cleaning machine on the rug. Follow these tips for taking care of specialty rugs.

How to Clean Woven or Braided Rugs

Check rugs for stitching breaks before and after cleaning. Check labels to determine whether small braided rugs are washable. If they are, place them in a zippered pillowcase or mesh laundry bag. Wash in cool water on a gentle cycle, rinsing thoroughly. Tumble dry on a low setting.

To clean large braided rugs, place them on a vinyl or concrete floor or place an old blanket beneath them. Sponge commercial carpet-cleaning foam over the surface and rub it in according to the product directions. Finish by rinsing or vacuuming. Dry thoroughly before replacing the rug on the floor.

How to Clean Hand-Knotted, Antique, and Oriental Rugs

Antique and Persian runners (or synthetic rugs like this Better Homes & Gardens Persian Blooms Ivory Faux Fur Indoor Area Rug, $195, Walmart) are popular for kitchens and other high-traffic areas, so they might need more attention than others.

Vacuum a new Oriental rug as you would carpet and wool area rugs. Use special care with delicate vintage or antique rugs. Protect them from the vacuum by placing a piece of nylon screen over the rug and weighting it down with books or bricks. Vacuum over the screen. Or, tie a piece of nylon mesh over the vacuum attachment and change the mesh frequently as dirt accumulates. Have these rugs professionally cleaned once a year. Rotate rugs to ensure even wear; direct exposure to the sun will cause fading.

Editor's Tip

When buying antique rugs, learn as much as you can from the seller about the rug's fiber content and construction. Ask for care tips.

How to Clean Coir, Sisal, Rush, and Grass Rugs

Rugs made from natural fibers like coir, sisal, rush, and grass feature an open weave that allows dirt to sift through to the floor beneath. They're popular choices for welcome mats and mudroom rugs. Vacuum frequently, removing the rug occasionally to vacuum the floor underneath. Many of these rugs are reversible; flip them every time you vacuum for even wear.

To clean stains or discolorations on a room-size natural-fiber rug, leave it in place. Protect the floor beneath it with a plastic drop cloth and towel. Scrub the stains with a soft brush dipped in soapy water. Rinse with clear water. Place a towel over the wet area. Blot the cleaned spot as dry as possible. Use a portable fan or hair dryer to speed drying. Move small rugs to a protected table or counter to clean. Water weakens the fibers, so work quickly and dry thoroughly to extend the life of these rugs.

Some natural-fiber rugs are constructed in squares that are sewn together. Buy a few extra squares or a smaller size of the same rug. If a rug square becomes irrevocably stained, clip the threads that hold it in place and replace it with a new square. Hand-stitch it in place with heavy-duty carpet thread.

How to Clean Fur, Sheepskin, and Hair-on Hides

Shake unscented talcum powder on fur, sheepskin, and hair-on-hide rugs, and leave for several hours. Brush the talcum powder through the hair, then shake it out. Repeat this process several times, depending on the length of the fur. To clean the back of this type of rug, use a clean cotton cloth dipped in lukewarm soapy water. Wipe off any dirt or spills. Rinse with a cloth dipped in clean water and allow to dry completely before putting back in place.

Related: How to Clean a Cowhide Rug

How to Deep-Clean Rugs

Consult care labels for small rugs to determine whether they should be dry-cleaned, spot-cleaned, or laundered. A dry-cleaning-only label might indicate that a rug isn't colorfast. Test before spot-cleaning. When you determine a rug is washable, machine-wash it on the delicate cycle. To reduce the risk of tangling long fringe, divide the fringe into several hanks and wrap each with white string. Place the rug in a mesh laundry bag or zippered pillowcase to protect it from the agitator, and wash in cold water on the gentle cycle.

Hang wet rugs over a clothes-drying rack, a slatted picnic table, or several bricks stacked on a porch, patio, or breezeway. Hanging a wet rug over a single clothesline will distort the shape of the rug as it dries. Small rugs made from synthetic fibers similar to carpeting can be laid to dry on a small worktable or counter protected by a drop cloth, old sheets, or towels.

Area rugs will benefit from a deep cleaning every 12-18 months. When using commercial cleaning products for the first time, test a small area of the rug to ensure that it is colorfast and not otherwise damaged by the product. To thoroughly clean a large rug, place it on a vinyl or concrete surface, apply carpet-cleaning foam, and rub in according to directions. Finish by rinsing or vacuuming. Make sure the rug is dry before replacing it.

Dry-cleaning might also be an option for small- to mid-size rugs—check the labels for care instructions.

How to Remove Stains from Rugs

Time is of the essence when your rug becomes stained. Remember to blot, not rub, the stain and remove moisture from spills as quickly as possible.

Alcohol and soft drinks: Use 1 teaspoon liquid dish detergent, 1 quart of warm water, and 1/4 teaspoon of white vinegar. Apply to the stain, rinse, then blot dry.
Coffee or tea: Using the detergent mix above, apply to stain, rinse, and blot. If a stain remains, use a commercial spot carpet cleaner.
Fat-based stains: For foods such as butter, margarine, or gravy, use a dry-solvent spot carpet cleaner.
Gum: Peel off what you can, then put ice cubes in a plastic bag and place on top of the remaining gum to harden it. Scrape the gum off with a spoon or dull knife. Vacuum and use a dry-solvent spot cleaner if needed.
Paint: For acrylic and latex paint, while the stain is still wet, spot-clean with the detergent solution. If color remains, dab with rubbing alcohol. For oil-based paint, sponge with odorless mineral spirits, being careful not to soak through to the backing.
Tomato sauce: Sponge with cool water, dab with detergent solution, or a citrus-oxygen cleaner. Rinse with a solution of 1 cup white vinegar and 2 cups of water and blot until dry.
Urine, feces, and vomit: Apply detergent solution or a citrus-oxygen cleaner, rinse, and blot until dry.
Melted wax: Use the same treatment as gum, hardening it with ice cubes in a plastic bag and scraping. Dampen a clean white cloth or cotton ball with rubbing alcohol and blot to remove any remaining wax.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I determine if a rug is machine-washable?

Check the care label. If it says dry clean only, machine washing may cause the colors to bleed. If you don't have a tag but are sure the material is colorfast, such as acrylic, the rug should be fine in the washing machine. Most wool and silk rugs should be dry-cleaned instead. When in doubt, don't machine wash.

How often should I vacuum my rug?

On average, vacuum your rug twice a week. If you have pets or heavy foot traffic in your home, you may want to vacuum more frequently.

Is vinegar a good solution for cleaning all rugs?

No, vinegar won't work on every type of rug. Only use vinegar on a synthetic fiber rug.

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