How to Wash a Rug

There are many reasons why you might need to wash a rug. Maybe your dog has had an accident on it, or maybe there is a spill that you can't seem to get out.

Whatever the reason, it's important to know how to properly wash a rug so that it doesn't get damaged in the process. In this blog post, we will teach you how to safely and effectively wash your rugs!

Supplies You Will Need:

Before you begin , you will need to gather some supplies. Here is what you will need:

-Rug Shampoo or mild dish soap

-Bucket

-Soft-bristle brush or sponge

-Water

-A vacuum

Optional supplies include:

-Rubber gloves

-Garden hose

-Wet-dry vacuum

-Sponge

These are not necessary but might make cleaning your rug easier.

How do you clean a rug?

Directions on How to Wash a Rug

Here is the easiest way to clean a rug:

Step 1

Remove dirt and debris by vacuuming both sides of the rug. If you have a garden hose, you can also spray the rug with water to remove any loose dirt.

Step 2

Mix your cleaning solution. Follow the directions on the bottle of your rug shampoo.

Alternatively, you can use a solution of mild dish soap and water. Do not use hot water. This can shrink or fade the coloring in the rug.

Step 3

Color test a patch on the rug to see how the solution will affect it. If the color doesn't bleed, you are good to go

Step 4

Wash the rug with the soft-bristled brush. Dip the brush in the cleaning solution and scrub the rug, creating a lather.

Leave the solution on the rug for 5 minutes before moving on to the next setp. This will help the dirt lift off the rug

Step 5

Rinse the rug. Use a garden hose to rinse the rug with clean water. If you don't have a garden hose, you can bring the rug inside and rinse it in your bathtub or use buckets of clean water.

Step 6

Remove as much water as possible . Use a wet-dry vacuum to suck up any excess water. You can also squeeze the water out with a sponge.

Step 7

Dry the rug. Lay it flat in a well ventilated space. Turn over the rug to dry the second side.

Be sure to keep the rug out of sunlight as this can fade the colors.

Step 8

Vacuum the rug, again. This will help remove any fibers that lifted during the cleaning process and any leftover dirt or debris.

Steps to Take for Heavily Soiled Rugs:

If your rug is heavily soiled, you may need to do a pre-treatment before shampooing. Mix a tablespoon of ammonia with a gallon of water and sponge it onto the rug. Let it sit for about 15 minutes before rinsing thoroughly.

Steps for Cleaning Specific Types of Rugs:

-oriental rugs: these should be cleaned by a professional. Do not attempt to clean them yourself

-wool rugs: before washing, brush the rug with a soft bristle brush or sponge to remove any dirt or debris. Follow the same steps as above for cleaning

-jute rugs: jute is a natural fiber and should be vacuumed regularly to prevent dirt and debris from building up. To clean, follow the same steps as above for wool rugs.

Recommended Products for Washing a Rug:

Here are the products we recommend for washing your rugs:

-Rug Shampoo: Bissell deep clean pro

-Mild dish soap: Ivory dish soap

-Soft bristled brush or sponge: https://www.amazon.com/Mothers-155900-Carpet-Upholstery-Brush/dp/B001GJ3E5C/ref=sr_1_7?crid=15BVNZ0OIDYFF&keywords=rug+brush&qid=1646667445&sprefix=rug+bru%2Caps%2C595&sr=8-7

Conclusion

We hope this guide was helpful in teaching you how to wash a rug. Remember to vacuum regularly and clean spills as soon as possible to prevent stains. If your rug is heavily soiled or an oriental rug, we recommend bringing it to a professional for cleaning. For all other rugs, follow the steps above for best results!