How to clean a rug like a pro : easy tips

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Are your rugs looking dull with all the dust and dirt brought in from outside? 

It’s time to give them a fresh look by cleaning them!

To help you out, I asked the highest-rated cleaners on Yoojo for tips on how to effectively and safely clean all types of rugs.

Preparation before cleaning your rugs

a man is preparing all his cleaning product next to a dirty rug

Before cleaning your rugs, you need to take some precautions

It’s important to read the labels of your rugs to follow the recommended cleaning methods and the suggested washing frequency.

Similarly, you should take precautions based on the material or texture of the rugs. If you're unsure about the appropriate washing temperatures, consult your cleaning expert.

To get started, first perform a dry cleaning. You can then move on to liquid cleaning based on the situation.

 
Before cleaning your rug with any product, always test a small area of the rug to check the colour stability

How to dry clean a rug?

a man is dry cleaning a rug with bicarbonate

Hoovering your rugs about twice a week can save you from having to do major cleaning every six months. 

To do this, use the brush mode and vacuum back and forth, making several passes. However, if your rug is old and delicate, avoid the brush mode as you risk damaging it.

Another dry cleaning tip is to sprinkle your rug with bicarbonate of soda and scrub with a brush. Leave the bicarbonate to work overnight, then vacuum.

Clay with strong stain-removing properties, also used for cleaning rugs. 

To benefit from all its advantages, sprinkle clay earth over your entire rug and let it sit overnight before vacuuming.

If you want to get rid of a wine stain, blot the stain immediately with kitchen roll then sprinkle it with "fuller's earth", ensuring to encircle the stain and cover it too. Let the powder sit overnight or for the entire day, then vacuum.

 
Did you know?

These tips for dry cleaning your rugs also work for cleaning your rugs. In fact, they are often used by the rug cleaning experts available on Yoojo!

Cleaning rugs with liquids : the best grandma's tips

a man is cleaning a rug with a sponge and some soap

If your rug is still not clean and shiny after our dry washing tips, you can use the following techniques.

Cleaning your rugs with potato : it works

Thanks to the starch they contain, potato peels are a very effective cleaning agent. 

To use them, make an infusion of potato peels and soak a sponge in this mixture to clean your rugs. 

Then, let the product work for a few hours and rinse with clear water using a sponge. 

Finally, let your rug dry, and there you go, it will be as good as new.

Soda water + bicarbonate of soda = rugs clean every time

If your rug has numerous stains and starts to lose its colour, the combination of soda water + bicarbonate of soda will do it a world of good. 

To do this, soak a sponge in soda water and use it to brush your rug.

Leave the soda water to act for about 30 minutes, then sprinkle your rug with bicarbonate of soda. 

All you have to do is wait for the bicarbonate to dry before vacuuming, and you’re done!

Washing a rug with white vinegar

For very dirty rugs with grease stains, white vinegar and washing-up liquid are the best combination for effective cleaning. 

To do this, soak a sponge in white vinegar and clean the stains. 

Let it sit for about fifteen minutes, then prepare a mixture of water and foamy washing-up liquid. 

Scrub the rug with this mixture, then rinse with clear water using a sponge. To dry your rug, use a clean, dry cloth.

Cleaning a rug with ammonia

Another alternative is to add a little ammonia to a spray bottle filled with water and soak the stain you want to remove with this mixture. 

Then, scrub the stain using a damp sponge and clean everything with a dry cloth, allowing it to dry.

Different types of rugs and how to clean each material

Close-up on different kind of rugs

Regular maintenance of your rug is essential to give it a longer life. 

Dust, mites, mud stains—since they are on the floor, rugs are likely to get dirty. 

After helping over 300 rugs to get cleaned (find out about our service here), we can tell you that your rugs are always much dirtier than they appear!

Vacuuming regularly helps remove most of the dust. 

However, it’s best to have an annual maintenance of your rug to remove embedded stains.

Whether it has short or long piles, if your wool rug has aged, we give you some tips to restore its shine. These simple actions will make your life easier, but most importantly, make cleaning your rug easier!

How to clean a wool rug?

close-up on a wool rug

Wool is a natural material that has undeniable charm for interior decoration.

To maintain your wool rug, vacuum regularly on a low power setting. 

To freshen up a wool rug and eliminate any unpleasant odours, you can sprinkle it with bicarbonate of soda. 

Let it sit for 2 hours (or even overnight) and then vacuum again.

This will eliminate bacteria and mites!

To clean a stained wool rug, you can use a mixture of water and white vinegar. 

Wet stains can be removed with a simple paper towel if it’s a recent stain.

For stubborn stains, you can replace the vinegar with black soap. 

The key is not to apply the product directly to the stain but rather to "dab" the rug with a soaked cloth.

How to maintain a long-pile rug?

close-up on a long-pile rug

When vacuuming a long-pile rug, make sure to vacuum in the direction of the fibres. If you vacuum against the grain, you risk damaging the fibres of your rug, which could be detrimental.

It is advisable to maintain a long-pile rug once or twice a week. Avoid pulling on any stray threads. Simply cut them to keep your rug looking tidy.

If it’s an acrylic rug, you can use soapy water. Of course, you shouldn't soak your rug. Use as little water as possible.

To dry it, hang it on a clothesline. If possible, let it dry outside. This process can be done once or twice a year.

How to clean a short-pile rug?

Generally, a short-pile rug is easier to maintain than a long-pile rug. Again, you can use soapy water (black soap or cleaning soap) for the annual maintenance of your rug.

If you can't put your rug outside, dry it with a dry cloth, a towel, or even with a hairdryer before hanging it up.

To clean a really dirty rug, you can use a mixture of white vinegar and hot water (in equal proportions).

The best way to clean a short-pile rug is with a steam cleaner. 

It will clean your rug deeply. If you have many rugs at home, it may also be worth investing in a water vacuum cleaner, which has the advantage of combining three functions: it vacuums, washes, and dries your rug!

How to clean an old rug?

close-up on an old oriental rug

Some rugs retain their charm even after years of use. However, it’s not always easy to clean an aged rug!

If it’s a rug that is precious to you, you can perform dry cleaning using bicarbonate of soda. 

As with the wool rug, let it sit for at least 2 hours before vacuuming to remove the bicarbonate that should have absorbed all the dirt.

If you truly care about your rug, don’t hesitate to entrust it to a professional. 

Although this service may be more expensive than cleaning at home, you will achieve optimal results. It’s an ideal way to give a rug a second life.

If it’s a rug that you don't have a strong attachment to, you can always attempt to clean it with soda crystals dissolved in hot water or a mixture of water and ammonia (2/3 water to 1/3 ammonia).

How to avoid dirtying your rug?

a professionnal cleaner is steam cleaning a rug

The simplest way to maintain a rug is perhaps to avoid soiling it… although that’s not always easy! 

Regular maintenance remains the most effective way to keep your rug clean. The fibres stand upright, and your rug is dusted!

Before using any cleaning product, test it on a small area of the rug and then proceed to clean the entire rug. 

Finally, remember that if you’re cleaning a stain, you will likely need to clean the entire rug for a uniform result.

Do you need a helping hand to clean all your rugs?

Yoojo offers a home rug cleaning service that allows you to hire equipped and experienced cleaners in your area

Give your rugs a fresh lease of life by posting your ad today... plus, it's free and without obligation!

 
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