August 06, 2024

How to spot clean area rugs & more

We know the right area rug can transform any room. From hosting game nights to curling up with a good book, the right rug has the power to make you (and your guests) feel right at home. 

Thanks to gravity, it's only a matter of time before there's a spill on your area rug. Whether it's knocking over a glass of wine, kids tracking in dirt from the park, or a snack time mishap, there's so many ways to make a mess—but don't worry!

Here are some tricks for handling those day-to-day spills.

Dab. Don't scrub

The best defense is a good offense—act fast when you spot clean. Target spills while they're still wet to minimize stains from setting in. The best spot cleaning approach depends on the type of rug you have:

• For jute, aloe, sisal, coir, hemp, polyester, polypropylene, and PET rugs, dip a rag in club soda and dab the area to lift the stain. 

• For wool and cotton rugs, use a clean toothbrush with cold water to gently brush the fibers. Dab a towel with unscented, clear soap and pat the area to pull up the stain.

A Little Goes a Long Way

In any case, just add a small amount of water or club soda to blot the mess. Repeating this step several times until the stain is removed. In the case of dirt, you’ll want to shake the rug out before applying moisture.

Keep happy hour going strong with our Shell rug 

Can I Use Carpet Shampooer on an Area Rug?

We don't recommend using carpet shampooer on your rug. Here’s the thing about them—they're often filled with harsh chemicals which will ruin the fibers of your rugs. Carpet shampooers are designed to clean carpets, which although serve a similar purpose to rugs are made using different materials and construction and thus require different care. Keep the cleaning simple: stick with an unscented, clear soap and water.

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 are not intended for rugs and their harsh chemicals will likely only damage your rug.

Leave Tough Stains to the Professionals

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. 

How Do You Clean Rugs on Hardwood Floors?

Trying to clean your area rug while it’s sliding around on your hardwood floors or tile can be really frustrating, especially when you’re trying to move fast to prevent stains from setting in. The secret for keeping your rugs in place is to use a rug pad. We offer plush and low-profile rug pads which not only add extra cushioning to your rug but helps keep it in place.

Non-Rotary Vacuums Are A Must

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. However, remember to always clean on low power with a non-rotary vacuum to prevent damage to the weave and fibers of your rug. Non-rotary vacuums suction dirt and debris without a spinning brush component, like your vacuum's suction attachment. Pro tip: vacuum both sides of your rug for the most thorough cleaning. 

Our Shell rug is also machine washable and pet-friendly

Shake It Off

Every now and then we recommend taking your rugs outside to give them a good shake. This helps limit extra cleaning by keeping any released dirt and debris out of your house.

While you've got your rug outside, you can also use the sun’s ultraviolet rays as a natural cleaning method. Lay your rug out in a sunny spot on your driveway or porch and let it soak up several hours of sunlight to kill bacteria.

Tips for Machine Washable Rugs

For washable rugs designed to fit into a washing machine, use mild detergent and wash on gentle with cold water. To dry, lay your rug flat, or tumble dry on low.

Please refer to your washable rug's product page for specific washing machine size guidelines. Please note, failure to adhere to washing machine size recommendations could result in damage to your washing machine.

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 tips:

If you already have a colorful space, consider balancing it out with a neutral rug color such as tan, cream, or white. Did you know olive, navy, grey, and even a deep oxblood red can be used 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 big with bright colors and exuberant patterns.

Texture matters. For cozy vibes, go with a softer rug. For more casual vibes consider layering a statement rug over a braided jute rug.