How to Clean Area Rugs on Hardwood Floors
Adding area rugs to the interior of your home is a great way to accent your floors. We recently renovated our living room and one the pieces I absolutely love is our area rug. It gives your house a little bit of personality.
Are rugs aren’t cheap but it is a good investment especially if you want to create a homey atmosphere in your house. You need to handle them properly especially since most rugs are quite delicate. This is why it is important for you to know how to clean area rugs on hardwood floors.
What you’ll need:
Here are some tips to keep your rug looking fresh and clean as possible. The first thing you need to do is to gather these materials you’ll be needing to start your cleaning project:
- Vacuum
- Water and hose
- Bucket
- Mild shampoo
- Soft brush
- Squeegee
Now, just follow these easy steps and make sure you take your rug out of the house when you clean it.
1. Gently dust off your rug – Do not beat your rug
Most people tend to do the mistake of hanging it on a clothesline and beating it with a hard object thinking it will speed up the task of getting rid of loose and excess particles. This will only cause the woven threads to come loose.
Some rugs might even get ripped off from the backing especially if it is low quality. Instead, gently dust off your rug. This will do the trick.
2. Vacuum your rug
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Vacuum it thoroughly to get rid of all the loose dust, dirt, and debris. Flip the rug over and vacuum the other side. This will eliminate the dirt that has developed and settled in the back. Avoid running the vacuum over the fringes of your run, in case there is any. The vacuum may just suck up the fringes and damage it. You might end up pulling the threads or the fringes might get caught in your vacuum.
You may end up with a broken vacuum or a damaged rug or both. This is why you should handle your rug with proper care and precautions to avoid this from happening. Otherwise, it is going to be pretty expensive if you have to replace both your vacuum and your area rug at the same time.
We advise you to do this regularly at least once a week or once every two weeks. This will help minimize the dirt from accumulating in your rug. It is easier to clean our rug if it has less dust and particles in it.
3. Test your shampoo and cleaner first
Some shampoos and cleaners have harsh chemicals that may not be suitable for particular rugs. Area rugs are manufactured with dyes that may easily bleed or get discolored. It is always advisable to test your solution in a small area in your rug to make sure the colors won’t run.
You can mix a few caps of mild shampoo to a bucket of warm water. Make sure the water is warm, not hot. Otherwise, a hot water may cause the colors to fade.
If you have a store bought shampoo or cleaner, check the label if you can mix it with your DIY shampoo and water solution. The important thing is to make sure your solution doesn’t ruin the beautiful colors of your rug. It may not only damage your rug but it can possibly leave a stain on your beautiful hardwood floors.
4. Clean your rug with your solution
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Use a soft-bristled brush and gently scrub the solution over the surface of the rug. Let the lather sit for a few minutes so that the rug can absorb the shampoo. Then rinse it off with a hose and make sure that there are no signs of shampoo left.
5. Remove excess water
Make sure you get rid of the excess water as much as possible. Use a squeegee to help absorb the water. A big and heavy area rug may remain damp for at least one to two days maximum before it starts breeding bacteria and mildew.
A damp area rug can damage your hardwood floors mainly because of the moisture and humidity. A wet rug can also transfer the color from your rug to your hardwood floors.
6. Let it dry
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Allow your rug to naturally dry itself. Lay it flat and make sure the top side is dry before flipping it over to dry the bottom side.
7. Cleaning spills and stains
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In case you spill liquid in your rug, use an absorbent cloth or a paper towel and dab it on the affected area immediately. The longer you let the stain sit, the harder it is to remove because the fibers in your rug absorb the stain. Place a towel or cloth underneath your area rug to prevent the stain from seeping to your floor.
If you are having a hard time removing the stain, try dipping a clean cloth in club soda mixed with water. This should help absorb the stain faster.
8. Steam clean
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Another option to clean your rug is to use a steamer. Make sure you place a plastic material or sheet to cover your hardwood floor with a waterproof barrier.
9. Maintain your rug
After you’ve gone through the entire process of cleaning your area rug, the best way to maintain it is to always keep it dust-free as much as you can. Dust off any particles you see lying around. If you choose to leave it until your next cleaning schedule, you might end up with a bigger stain that is harder to get rid of.
Now that you have a good idea on how to clean area rugs on hardwood floors, don’t let it intimidate you. You might possibly think that it takes a lot of hard work and maintenance but it is actually easy to deal with. If you make it a habit to sweep off your rugs regularly then you are almost halfway there.
Your beautiful house deserves a gorgeous area rug to enhance your home’s interior and style. It can accentuate your home’s features and appear more inviting and cozy for your guests.
If you have any comments or feedback on how to clean your area rugs effectively, please leave us a comment below. If you find this article informative and helpful, please share this write-up with your friends.