Winter is the time of year that you want to cozy up in your home, and nothing adds warmth and comfort like an area rug. But if your rug is looking a bit worse for wear, it may be time to give it a deep clean. If you’re looking area rug cleaning tips during the winter season, you’ve come to the right place!
From vacuuming to deep cleaning, there are several ways to keep your rug looking fresh and clean throughout the chilly months. Read on to discover our top area rug cleaning tips for winter, so you can keep your home looking and feeling its best.
Benefits of Area Rug Cleaning
If you’re cleaning your area rug regularly, you’re not only keeping it fresh and comfortable. You are also protecting your health.
Dirty rugs can be harmful to your family, especially when you are dealing with carpet beetles and other ways your carpet can make you sick.
Meanwhile, cleaning your rug often will also help it last longer. This can save you money in the long run. You can find great deals on area rugs at many department stores or online, which makes it easy to freshen up your home decor with a new, clean rug.
What Cleaning Products Should You Use?
If you’re cleaning your area rug, you may wonder what cleaning products are best. For most rugs, warm water and a mild car[et soap will do the trick, though certain rugs may need special cleaning products. You need to pay special attention to the material before cleaning.
Be sure to always read the cleaning instructions on the rug’s tag before you clean it. Carefully follow the instructions to ensure the most effective clean without damaging it.
The Art of Vacuuming Your Area Rug
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to clean an area rug, the sensible method is to vacuum it once a week. However, this greatly depends on your lifestyle and whether you have pets or children.
Weekly vacuuming will keep your rug looking fresh and clean. Just be sure to use the rug setting on your vacuum, and avoid using the beater bar. When it comes time to clean your area rug, be sure to vacuum it in both directions to get everything out of it.
And be sure to use a clean vacuum every time you clean your rug. Dirt and dust that gets trapped in your vacuum. This can ultimately scatter more dirt and debris into the fibers of your area rug.
Spot Cleaning Your Area Rug
If there is a particularly dirty spot or stain on your rug, don’t wait until you have the time to do a thorough cleaning with a carpet cleaner. You can clean spots on your rug with a small amount of baking soda or other cleaning solution, a damp sponge or cloth, and a little patience.
Make sure to test the cleaning solution in an inconspicuous area first. This is to make sure it won’t damage the rug. If you’re using a rug cleaning solution, be sure to read the instructions to find out how much to use and how long to let it sit before cleaning the rug.
If a baking soda solution doesn’t work well on your rug, try vinegar. Vinegar is a great cleaning agent, and it won’t harm your rug, as long as you don’t leave it on the rug for too long. Bonus: vinegar will absorb odors on your rug, and the smell of vinegar will eventually dissipate.
Area Rug Cleaning Tips: Deep Cleaning with a Carpet Cleaner
If you want to deep clean your rug and make it look almost new again, the best option is a carpet cleaner. A carpet cleaner is basically a mini-washing machine for your area rug.
You can rent a carpet cleaner from your local hardware store or grocery store. Be sure that the cleaner you choose is designed for deep cleaning area rugs. Pay attention to directs such as recommended soap and rug materials.
Lastly, don’t over-saturate your rug. This is a typical problem when people turn to steam cleaning.
The Drawbacks of Renting or Buying a Carpet Cleaner
There are several potential drawbacks to using a carpet cleaning machine on area rugs. This includes cons such as:
- Size and weight: Area rugs are typically smaller and lighter than wall-to-wall carpets. Some carpet cleaning machines may be too large and heavy to maneuver easily over an area rug. This can make it difficult to clean the entire surface of the rug evenly.
- Damage to rug fibers: Some carpet cleaning machines use strong suction and agitation to remove dirt and stains. This can be too rough for delicate area rugs. It can lead to damage to the fibers of the rug, causing it to become thin and worn over time.
- Wetness: Many carpet cleaning machines use a lot of water, which can take a long time to dry. This can be a problem if you are using the rug in a high-traffic area or need to use it soon after cleaning.
- Shrinking: Some area rugs, particularly those made of natural fibers like wool, may shrink when exposed to water or high heat. This can be a problem if the carpet cleaning machine uses hot water or steam to clean the rug.
- Cost: Renting or buying a carpet cleaning machine can be expensive. Using it on an area rug may not be cost-effective if the rug is small or not heavily soiled.
Overall, it may be best to use a carpet cleaning machine on area rugs only as a last resort, or if the rug is particularly dirty or heavily soiled. In most cases, it may be more effective and safer to hire a professional carpet cleaning.
Keeping your Area Rug Dry
Winter is soggy and it’s easy to trak water or snow inside the house. If your rug gets wet, be sure to dry it out as soon as possible to avoid mold or mildew damage.
The best way to keep your rug from getting wet is to put down a thick rug mat in front of the door, especially if you have a muddy dog. If you need to clean a muddy area rug, be sure to thoroughly rinse it to get all the mud out. This will keep the mud from drying in and staining your rug.
Our best tip for keeping your area rug dry? Take off your shoes when you come in the house. Use this rule for guests as well.
Tips for Preventing Damage
Taking care of your area rug will help it last longer, but you can also take steps to prevent damage in the first place. Here are some area rug cleaning tips to avoid damage:
There are several steps you can take to avoid damaging your area rug:
- Use a rug pad: A rug pad can help to protect your rug from damage caused by friction and wear, as well as help to prevent slips and falls.
- Rotate the rug regularly: Rotating your rug can help to evenly distribute wear and prevent it from becoming thin or discolored in certain areas.
- Protect the rug from direct sunlight: Exposure to direct sunlight can cause the colors in your rug to fade or become discolored over time. To prevent this, try to keep your rug out of direct sunlight or use window treatments to block the sun’s rays.
- Avoid placing heavy furniture on the rug: Heavy furniture can cause the fibers of your rug to become flat or damaged. Try to lift the furniture rather than dragging it across the rug whenever possible.
- Use a vacuum with the appropriate setting: Vacuuming your rug can help to remove dirt and debris. Be sure to use the appropriate setting on your vacuum cleaner to avoid damaging the fibers.
- Clean spills immediately: Spills can cause staining and damage to your rug if left untreated. Try to blot spills as soon as possible with a clean, absorbent cloth, and follow up with a mild detergent and water to remove any remaining residue.
By following these tips, you can help to protect your area rug and keep it looking its best for years to come.
Area Rug Cleaning Tips: Hire HydraClean Northwest
If you have a very large rug, or you just don’t feel like steam cleaning or renting a carpet cleaner is the best option for you, consider hiring a professional cleaner to come to your home and clean your area rugs.
HydraClean Northwest is the go to carpet cleaning company serving Seattle, Washington. We use quick-drying cleaning solution to get your area rug as clean as possible. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.