Time to give your rugs a proper cleaning! Here are the easy ways to clean an area rug.
Cleaning the rugs regularly is a dreadful task for many of us. Rugs collect all the dust and stains, which become a great home for bacteria and allergens. Some people might be scared of spoiling the delicate fibres, others may think that only professional cleaning will be able to remove the stains.
Cleaning an area rug is a simpler process than you could imagine. You can easily do it at home by following a few cleaning tips that I will share below. They are budget-friendly and won’t take much time.
Most Popular DIY Rug Cleaning Solutions
Regular cleaning (maintenance or general cleaning) preserves the attractive appearance of the rug, extends its lifetime, and maintains hygiene at home. Since dirt accumulates not only on the surface but also in the depths of the pile, it’s not always possible to determine the need for cleaning only by the appearance of the rug. Therefore, it is very important to regularly remove dirt and stains.
Before you try any method, I recommend making a test of the cleaning solution on the less-visible rug part (somewhere on the backside).
Vacuum clean the rug before removing any dirt. General cleaning with a brush is optional, but litter and dust should be removed.
The result of the cleaning depends on how much time has passed after the spill has happened. However, the methods below are quite effective. If the spill has happened a long time ago and the dirt is deeply embedded in the fibres, you can still try to remove it with household chemicals or a steam cleaner.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
Baking soda is my favourite cleaning solution to clean an area rug. It’s non-toxic, doesn’t cause allergies, and there are so many uses to it! There are a few options to clean carpet with baking soda, you can use it as a standalone solution, and in combination with the vinegar.
Combining soda with vinegar is the most optimal way. It’s the most efficient, fastest, and cheapest option. Preparing the mixture will not take long, and the rug cleaning will not take much of your time either.
What you will need:
- 4 tablespoons of white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of baking soda
- 1 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid
- half cup of warm water
Mix the ingredients in a bowl, the solution will be very bubbly, that’s just what we wish for. These bubbles together with abrasion caused by soda will help to remove even the oldest stains.
Apply the solution to the surface with a rug, and with light movements, slightly pressing, remove the visible dirt. Do not use rub or extra effort when cleaning. Gentle blotting will be enough to removed stains from the rug. Leave the rug to air dry.
After cleaning, wait until the baking soda is completely dry and vacuum clean the rug to remove the residue.
Baking soda is excellent at absorbing dirt and neutralizing unpleasant odours. If the rug has urine stains, dry baking soda can help get rid of the odour. Just sprinkle the baking soda over the stain and let it sit in for 30 minutes. Then vacuum clean the rug.
Another option is suitable for minor contamination. You can use soda with water only. For 5 litres of water, you will need around 100g of soda. After the powder dissolves in water, the mixture should be poured into a container. Using a spray bottle, apply the solution over the rug surface. You need to rub it lightly. After about an hour, you can vacuum clean the rug to remove the residue.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a simple and effective solution for cleaning the rug stains. You can also use it as a standalone product or in combination with baking soda. We will describe these two options below.
Method one – 3% Hydrogen Repoxide For this type of cleaning, you will need 3% hydrogen peroxide. Pour some of this solution into the spray bottle and apply it to this stain. Blot and rub it gently. Let this solution sit in for a while, and then remove it with a clean cloth. If needed, repeat the procedure.
Method 2 – Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda For this type of cleaning, you will need 3% hydrogen peroxide, dishwashing fluid, and regular baking soda. First of all, sprinkle some baking soda on the affected area. Leave it there to sit for a while. After about an hour, pour one cup of hydrogen peroxide and 1 tablespoon of the dishwashing soap on the stain. Blot it well with a brush or a cloth. Be careful, don’t rub. After that, vacuum the carpet thoroughly.
Note: hydrogen peroxide is not suitable for coloured rugs, because it may bleach and discolour them.
How to Remove Common Stains from Rugs
Depending on the nature of the stain, different approaches should be used. Most importantly, try to clean the rug as soon as the spill has happened. The faster you do it, the easier it will be to remove.
Coffee and tea stains
The best way to remove them is by blotting the area first with a clean cloth. Then use a mixture of white vinegar (½ tablespoon) + warm water (1 liter) + dish detergent (1 teaspoon). Apply the mixture to the stain, then rinse it and blot dry. Repeat if needed.
Butter, margarine
The fat-based stains can be easily removed with a dry solvent rug cleaner. You can find it on Amazon or at a local store.
Wine, strong alcohol, and soft drinks
Vinegar-based solution comes to the rescue yet again. Mix 1 tablespoon of dishwashing liquid, 1 tablespoon of white vinegar, and around 2 cups of warm water. Apply the solution to the rug, blot it well (do not rub), and then blot until dry with a clean cloth.
Chewing gum
There’s a quick and easy solution for that as well. First of all, peel off as much as you can with a knife. Then, take a few ice cubes, and place them inside a plastic bag. Put this bag on the rug and leave it for a while. The gum will harden, and become easy to remove. Remove it with a knife. To make the area fluffy again, use a vacuum cleaner.
Pet urine
This type of stain will require a little bit more attention. First, blot the liquid with a cloth or a paper towel. Then, mix white vinegar with water, in proportion 1:1. Apply the solution to the stain, blot it well, and brush a little. This will help the vinegar penetrate the fibres. Blot the rug with a dry cloth, and leave it to dry. The second step of cleaning is using baking soda. After the rug is dry from vinegar, sprinkle some baking soda on top. Let it cover the stain completely. Leave it for a while (at least a few hours). Vacuum clean the soda. Unpleasant smell and stain will be gone.
Unpleasant smells
A simple dry method for removing smells is baking soda treatment. It absorbs odours well and can be easily removed with a vacuum cleaner or brush. You can also use a baking soda solution (half cup of soda for 5 litres of water). It is applied to the entire surface and is then removed after drying with a vacuum cleaner.
Conclusion
Rug cleaning is not only aesthetically pleasing but also good for our health. Make sure you clean an area rug regularly, it will help to prevent the dirt residue buildup. It will also allow you to get rid of the stains before they penetrate the deepest fibre layers. I hope that the tips above will help you keep the rugs clean and fresh.
About the author
Leslie is a home decor blogger at Mats and Rugs. She’s a self-identified food fanatic and a designer with a true passion for rugs and home improvement.
