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:
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.
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.
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.
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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