When it comes to keeping rugs clean, I sometimes feel like I'm in the dark about the best maintenance. It turns out that every once in a while, it pays to beat it! Here are some ways to keep the rug in your home fresh, clean and vibrant.
As a disclaimer, please note that these tips don't all apply to heirloom, vintage, and "fancy" rugs. If you have an Oriental, Persian, or Turkish rug, or something of the same caliber, please follow the manufacturer's instructions or consult with an expert in textile care.
That said, here are some ways to keep your rug clean and fresh:
- If your rug is low-pile (not shag or fluffy) running a vacuum over it regularly is pretty standard fare. One thing to keep in mind is that the beater bar on your vacuum can damage the pile and fibers of the rug. It's best to use just the suction to lift up dust and debris, not to use the spinning rod of brushes which can aid in aging your rug. Also, start at the center and work out, making sure not to vacuum the fringe at the end, if you have it. That will just cause wear, and the edges will stay much nicer without being sucked up into your vacuum
- The Carpet and Rug Institute recommends that "if your larger rug is easy to pick up, shake it outside first; then put it over a clothesline and beat it." Every time I've brought my living room rug outside to shake it and pound out some of the dust and debris, I feel a little like I'm in an episode of I Love Lucy, and wonder if this is the best way! Turns out, it's pretty standard. I have since learned to wait until someone is around to help me---the neighbors pay much less attention this way.
- Experts agree that it's best to have your rugs professionally cleaned every 1-2 years. Taking your rug to a dry cleaner that specializes in rugs will remove the deep-seated grime that your vacuum will not. In the longrun, the cost is worth it--your rug will look newer much longer.
- Rotate your rug regularly. Traffic patterns naturally occur in homes, and you will end up wearing your rug unevenly if it remains in the same position forever. Much like the tires on your car, rotating it will distribute that wear and add to the overall look of your rug.
- Wikihow warns "Be aware of carpet shampoos or sprays! Carpet shampoos are usually made for synthetic wall to wall carpet not wool area rugs." Checking the label and testing any product on an inconspicuous place is a step that many folks skip, but is actually very important. If just a white cloth with water doesn't work, I've always used a tiny bit of hand-dishwashing soap for even the toughest (puppy, anyone!?) stains. It works like a charm, and Martha Stewart backs me up!
- Keeping your rug smelling nice is key. Rugs can lock in odors, and no one wants those lingering in your home. I love Febreeze, personally, but for those wanting a more natural option, WikiHow recommends blotting your rug with a white cloth containing a mixture of 1 part white vinegar and 3 parts water to keep odors at bay.
Keeping up with the maintenance of your rug will keep it looking nice longer, and add to the overall healthy feel of your home. Do you have any tried and true tips on revitalizing your rug?
Images: Jessica Tat
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My parents gave me some of their old fake Oriental rugs, which have seen better days but still look great.
As a person who lives in a place where it snows (profusely) in the winter, I've had success with a tip espoused by green-housekeeping books: take your rug outside, lay it face-down in fresh snow, and walk all over it (carefully).
The snow gently lifts away dirt and dust, and because it's frozen, your rug stays mostly dry. Pretty cool, and kinda fun too!
I kindof do the 'beat it' thing on my rug too like once/twice a week and i feel it works wonders..
@ EricaSullivan- What a great idea! Does it really work?! I'll be able to try that soon- it's getting mighty wintery in Ohio.
ericasullivan, I've been meaning to try that but for once there's hardly any snow this winter in Chicago. Unbelievable.
The beater bar on an older vacuum can actually be a good thing. What you should do though is turn the rug over on a flat surface such as hardwood, clean concrete, or something similar and the run the vacuum over the rug. But instead of running the vacuum quickly, let it sit. The vibrations from the beater bar shake out all the dirt that has settled in there. Seriously, it's amazing how much dirt gets sucked in there. Giving your rug a vacuum the normal way does very little. A professional cleaning also goes a long way. (My father owned and operated an Oriental rug store.)
I have heard the snow trick through many industry professionals and rug artists in Europe. I swear by it!
It is the safest and purest way to lift dirt from the fibers. Beating rugs is so harsh and can break down the fibers and backing.
Also, be sure to know what your rug is made of before you clean! The nicest rugs are usually made of wool or some even have silk fiber. Wool naturally resists stains and requires special attention to prevent matting and breaking fibers.
Like the post says - always clean them professionally at least once a year!
Hannah McCoy
Hannahmccoyinteriors.com
The "snow treatment" is the standard recommendation for Navajo and Chimayo weavings.
What about steaming it with an at-home steamer?
I have a large sheepskin rug, anyone know the best way to clean it?
Dyson Animale---it's the best investment in rug cleaning I have made.
A rug beating paddle is actually a pretty attractive device and could be hung as decor when you're not using it. Living in Canada we see a lot of snow - but city snow is pretty yucky. I like the idea of turning the rug upside down not just vibrating it... but actually vacuuming both sides.
Don't forget to actually lift the rug (and underpad, if you use one) from it's place and vacuum the floor underneath. I'm always amazed at the dirt, hair and particles that settle there.
I have a flokati rug - very large, maybe 7' x 10' or so. I've found the best way to clean it is to bring to a laundromat and use their commercial sized washers - the ones that cost the most, like, $5.25. Stuff it in there - mine barely fits and I have to shove the door shut. Wash with a mild detergent - probably a clear one is best. Because mine is so big, I have to wash it twice to make sure to get everything out of the long fibers. Spin cycle is great and gets most of the water out. Then dry for maybe 15 minutes - you'll want to watch it and regularly flip the rug so both sides get dry. And voila...a beautiful fluffy rug again!
I'm trying the snow method this winter. Here's a pretty cool video showing how it's done with rya rugs. http://retrorenovation.com/2011/09/20/rya-rugs-15-designs-from-1964-plus-a-great-video-on-the-history-of-rya-rugs-and-how-to-make-them/
I second candacetherenter. Turn the rug upside down and vacuum the underside - amazing what will come out.
Some rugs should not be dry-cleaned. Gentle washing is the preferred method for hand-knotted and woven wool rugs, so check with your professional rug cleaner to make sure they are washing. Dry-cleaning chemicals can weaken the fibers and destroy a fine rug!
My wool and cotton turkish kilims do really well with my Miel Neptune on a gentle setting, using the carpet attachment. It's just suction, not electric, and though it rotates, it's gentle enough just to get out the hair, pethair and dust. Kilims and other flat weave rugs should be flipped every 1-2 months.
Hi. Surprised no one has made mention of shag rugs. My husband convinced me to buy a 5' x 7' deep pile wool shag rug and I find it impossible to keep clean. No matter how much I vacuum, dirt & dust settle into its deep crevices. Beating the rug is tough since it's soo heavy. Anyway have any suggestions or know of a good cleaner for this type of rug in NYC-area? Thank you!