Rug Cleaning

Many people have area rugs and know that they need to be cleaned, but aren't quite sure how to get them that way. They aren't sure when to clean a rug, how to clean a rug or how much it will cost to have a rug professionally cleaned. Unfortunately, because so many people don't know the basics of getting their rugs cleaned, many beautiful rugs wind up looking worn out before their time. The good news for people who do own area rugs is that most of them that are made now are designed to stand up to things like high traffic, spills and dirt. With proper maintenance of these rugs, they can last for a very long time and may even become a treasured family heirloom.

There is a difference between cleaning carpets and cleaning rugs, so you should be certain of what it is you're looking to clean.  When a carpet is cleaned, usually a professional carpet cleaner will be hired or a carpet shampooer will be rented to complete the job of cleaning carpeting that is within a home or building.  Carpet cleaning involves carpeting that is permanently attached to the floor of a room.

Rug cleaning involves the cleaning, usually professional, of a decorative rug that is not permanently attached to the floor of a room. Rug cleaning can be a difficult process, mostly due to the size of many rugs that need to be cleaned, however, it is often necessary after a while. Often, when a person chooses to clean their area rug themselves, it will depend on how old the rug is, how much it cost and how much it is worth to them.

Many large expensive area rugs recommend that they only be spot cleaned by the owner and professionally cleaned only when necessary. Often, even expensive area rugs can be cared for with a simple vacuuming and spot cleaning when necessary. In order to protect large, expensive area rugs from excessive wear and tear, shoes and dirty feet should not be on the rug and food and beverages should be kept away from it, as well.

Before an area rug is cleaned, the type of material needs to be considered. For instance, washing a wool rug in water may not be a good idea, since it could shrink. If, however, this is chosen, its important to only wash the rug in cold water and not use too much soap, as this can gather in the fibers and possibly not rinse clean. When choosing a soap to use on the rug, it's a good idea to use a mild laundry detergent that will rinse out easily. Consider a detergent that is used on delicate items of clothing.

Another option when working to get area rugs clean is to use a rug and carpet clean that is more of a foam than a liquid. Make sure to choose one that is gentle on rugs and carpeting and check for colorfastness before cleaning the entire surface. Many foam cleaners rely on spraying the foam, then using a mop or rag to work the product into the fibers of the rug and then vacuuming it when it has dried. Many times, a rug owner can check with the place the rug was purchased for recommendations on foam cleaners.

Another option when cleaning area rugs is to wash it outside with a hose, gentle brush and gentle detergent. If it's possible, hang the rug on a clothesline or over a deck railing and spray it with a hose. Mix some gentle detergent in a gallon or so of water until it bubbles. Using the brush, work from corner to corner of the rug using gentle motions. Do this carefully, so that the fibers aren't frayed or damaged. Spray with the hose to rinse until the water runs clean. Allow to air dry, then vacuum to fluff the fibers.

This is one of the easier ways to get area rugs clean without the expense of a professional. If area rugs are very expensive, old or delicate, however, its a good idea to hire a professional to have them cleaned. This will ensure that valuable rugs are not ruined and the cleaning instructions are properly followed by a professional who has experience with these items.

In most cases, area rugs usually don't need to be cleaned that often. Usually, when an area rug is in a high traffic area, but has been vacuumed regularly and spot cleaned when necessary, it shouldn't need to be cleaned more than once every 12 to 18 months. Since most area rugs are meant to stand up to lots of traffic, cleaning them more would potentially ruin their stain fighting properties.

It's also a good idea to consider what material any area rug you might purchase is made of before buying it. Choose materials that will stand up to the traffic and wear of the place the rug will be placed to ensure that the rug lasts for years to come and still looks good.