How Can I Clean My Area Rug at Home?

Any area rug, whether in your dining room, living room, bathroom, hallway, or bedroom can be cleaned using one of the below techniques without needing to leave the house.

Vacuuming

Vacuuming your area rugs is a quick and easy way to remove all that dirt and dust that has gathered over the past several weeks. Pro tip: Make sure to vacuum both sides of your rug for the most thorough cleaning. You don’t need to worry about vacummuing every week, but it’s always a good idea to vacuum at least once a month.

If you have a suction attachment on your vacuum cleaner, even better. Use that instead of a rotary vacuum so that the rugs’ fibers stay in tip-top-shape.

Shake It Out

When you only have a second to spare, take your rugs outside and give them a good shake. You can even leave them in the sun for a couple hours.

Washing Machine

Check the care tag on your rugs - If they are washable, great! Toss them in the wash, use a gentle detergent, and tumble dry on low heat.

For Spills:
Washing Your Area Rug By Hand

Spills are bound to happen on your area rugs - It’s only a matter of time until that glass of wine gets knocked over by a friend, someone drops Sunday night pasta on your dining room rug, or the kids track in dirt. No worries! Just add small amounts of water as needed and blot the mess several times until the stain is removed. In the case of dirt, you’ll want to shake the rug out first. You can also try blotting the stain with a diluted mild detergent (such as a dishwashing soap mixed with water).

Whatever you do, never scrub the stain. Scrubbing will ruin the intricate fibers of your rug.

Can I Use Carpet Shampooer on an Area Rug?

It’s not a good idea to use carpet shampooer on your rug. Here’s the thing about them - they are often filled with harsh chemicals which will ruin the fibers of your rugs. They’re also not intended for rug cleaning but rather for carpet cleaning, which are two very different types of materials. Keep the cleaning simple - stick with a diluted mellow detergent.

How Do You Clean an Area Rug on Hardwood Floors?

Trying to clean your area rug at home while it’s sliding around on hardwood floors or tile can be really frustrating, especially when you’re busy and just want the rug cleaning process to go as quickly as possible. The secret for keeping your rugs in place is to use a rug pad. They’re affordable, long-lasting, and stay hidden under your rug while helping it to stay put.

For Tough to Remove Stains: Get It Professionally Hand-Washed

Sometimes spills and stains just can’t be removed at home. This is when it’s time to call the professionals. They’ll use a pH-balanced shampoo that is gently worked into the area rug with a soft-bristled brush, rinsing it and then repeating the process several times. It’s the ultimate go-to method when you just need a deep clean.

It’s also a good practice to get your area rug professionally hand-washed every 3 to 5 years.

Avoid Dry Cleaning, Stain Cleaners and Steamers

There’s no need to ever get your area rugs dry cleaned, steamed, or to use stain cleaners. Similar to carpet shampoo products, these processes and products only cause damage and are not intended for rugs.

Things to Consider When Choosing an Area Rug

Of course it’s important to know how to clean and care for your area rugs, but if you’re still deciding on which area rugs to buy for your home, here are some helpful considerations:

  • Ask yourself if the rug is being purchased for function or aesthetics. Probably a bit of both, but if it’s primarily for function, consider a rug that is machine washable. If you’re purchasing a rug more so for aesthetics, consider a rug that has a similar color pattern to the room it will be placed in.
  • Let color be your guide. Speaking of color, consider using a more neutral rug color such as tan, cream, or white if you already have a colorful space. Olive, navy, grey, and even a deep oxblood red can serve as neutral colors.
  • Don’t be afraid to go bold. If you want your rug to serve as the main statement piece in a room, go bold! Brighter colors or exuberant patterns are a great way to do this.
  • Texture matters. For cozy vibes, go with a softer rug. For more casual vibes (such as a living room rug), consider a braided jute rug.

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About Revival

Revival curates one-of-a-kind, high-quality handmade rugs and home decor from around the world. Our styles are original, design-centric rugs fresh off the loom to your home. With operations in the U.S., Turkey, Morocco, and India, our teams visit suppliers regularly to make sure our products meet our quality specifications, and that workers are treated fairly. We simplify the process, eliminating steep markups and costs that don’t add value.

We believe that rugs have the power to transform any space. Transform yours today.