Area rugs are beautiful accents that add depth, dimension, texture, and a splash of color to every room in your home. To keep them looking nice for years to come, it is important to take good care of them. Refer to the following cleaning tips for basic care and maintenance of your household area rugs.
Vacuum Regularly
This should be done at least once a month on a regular basis. You will want to vacuum both sides, so first turn it upside down and vacuum the back of your area rug. If you can, vacuum the back-side of your area rug with a beater bar or rotating brush to push trapped dirt toward the top.
When you finish vacuuming the back-side, turn your area rug right side up, and vacuum the top. If your area rug is made from wool, you should take care not to use the beater bar or rotating brush to clean the top, however if it is made of a synthetic material using the beater bar or rotating brush is fine.
You do not want to vacuum any fringe or tassels of your area rug… they will easily rip and tangle because they are comprised of delicate materials. The best way to clean them is by hand.
Spot Cleaning or Stain Removal
Clean spots or stains as soon as they appear. Test your rug to make sure the colors do not bleed with a damp white cotton towel. You should never dry your rug on the floor… it will cause water damage to the floor.
Avoid using carpet shampoos on your wool area rugs, because they are specifically designed for use on synthetic carpeting. Check the label of any spot cleaner or carpet shampoo prior to use. Another thing is to make sure you rinse all the spot cleaner or carpet shampoo out of your rug, because remaining soap residue will attract even more dirt.
Drying Your Area Rug
Dry your rug using a blow dryer or fan… make sure you expose the affected area as much as possible to the direct stream of air for moisture evaporation.
Do not dry your rug in direct sunlight, because the sun can ruin the colors in the rug and degrade the fibers in the rug. Do not allow your rug to dry on the floor… it can cause permanent water damage to the floor.
HEPA approved vacuums and filter bags are more effective when vacuuming your area rug to remove potentially toxic dust, and they also provide more powerful suction.
