Jenny Devin

How to Clean and Maintain Large Area Rugs At Your Home

People love owning large area rugs in their living spaces, and to keep a rug in good condition one must vacuum it regularly, making sure to keep the pet hair in check and probably do the regular care &  maintenance that it needs by rotating it once in a while so that it doesn’t get too frayed out. 
 
Eventually, an area rug needs more than just another vacuum. If stains are piling up or there are deep-rooted problems with dust or dust critters rooted inside the rug a full cleaning is required.  This blog dives into how to clean & maintain a  large rug for your living room. 
 
Tools Required to Clean Area Rug at Home
These are the items required to clean a large area rug at home:

  • Water

  • Rubber gloves

  • Garden hose

  • Rug shampoo (or mild dish soap)

  • Bucket

  • Sponge or Soft-bristle brush

  • Wet-dry vacuum with a strong fan



How do we clean Large Area Rugs?
Thanks to Miss Amara’s research, you don’t need to hire a specialist to fully clean your rug, You just need the right tools, cleaner, and approach. These are the steps you can take to clean an area rug.
 
We know an area rug will be far too large for one person to handle so seeking help from a friend or fellow family members will surely ease up the process. Taking only a little time to set up the entire cleaning process
 


  1. Pick a Spacious Location



  • Choose a day when the forecast is clear & sunny (preferably for the next few days

  • During summer cleaning your rug becomes easier because you’ll need to do it outdoors. If you don’t want any of the detergents and cleaners soaking into the grass make sure to not do this process in the sunlight on the grass.

  • The mounting system you choose needs to be a lot stronger than a clothesline, as large area rugs are quite heavy.

  • Benches & any type of sturdy wall can also work.


 
2. Vacuum To remove Dirt and debris From the Rug

  • Start by doing a brief spot clean on the area rug.

  • Vacuum the fibers on both sides to remove any lingering dust.

  • Roll it up carefully when it's clean & place the rug outside onto the cleaning station.

  • If the rug is still dusty at this stage, beat it with a broom handle or similar tool to remove all the dust.

  • Give the rug a few firm knocks to see if dust comes out. If they do, keep hitting till the dust clears.


 
3. Mix the Carpet Cleaners

  • Testing out the carpet shampoo before you apply it to the rug is an important step.

  • Apply a little to a small corner or patch, mix in some water, & let it settle for a few hours.

  • Go back & rinse that spot off.

  • To view color damage or fiber damage take a color test. It’s a good choice to purchase carpet shampoos designed for the materials that your rug is made with. Don’t try to make your DIY rug cleaner or use other cleaners that are not specifically intended for rugs & carpets!



4. Wash the Rug & Apply Shampoo

  • With a safe shampoo selected, pull out the garden hose & give your rug a good rinse.

  • Don't panic when the rug soaks up a lot of water, you need to prepare it well for the shampoo application.

  • Using a sturdy brush with a sturdy handle, work the shampoo plunging into the carpet fiber.

  • This step will require a lot of scrubbing & foam. Swathe accordingly, get the rug wet, & focus on any stains.


 
5. Rinse the Rug

  • Read the directions for use & leave the dry carpet shampoo on your rug for as long as told by the manufacturer.

  • Hose down the rug again after shampoo is applied.

  • Rinsing out all the shampoo is a vital step to make sure you aren’t left with any residue.


 
6. Help the Rug Dry

  • To get rid of all the excess water make sure you beat it and twist and turn a lot. We don't want the excess water to leave moisture. A squeegee is a useful tool that can help in this process.

  • After that, your rug will still be very wet & you’ll need to wait for it to dry completely outdoors before moving it back inside your house. Drying can take multiple days

  • For a safe drying procedure, consider moving the rug to a laundry room with a dedicated drying rack or to a garage where the softeners and detergents don't harm the surroundings.

  • When the rug is fully dry, you won’t be able to feel any water even when you squeeze hard, & it will probably be a bit stiff.



7. Vacuum One Final Time

  • Put the area rug back in its place, & revive it by giving it one last vacuuming.

  • The carpet fibers will probably be flattened & odd-looking after washing. A thorough vacuum is necessary to get the final look of perfection that a newly bought rug has.



Conclusion
 
Rugs filter out dirt, viruses, dead skin cells, small debris, and many other particles all the while having a visual appeal provided they aren't too dirty. These rugs also come in a broad range of textures, colors, and styles. They filter out most small particles making it easier to breathe for individuals with respiratory issues. As a simple rug has so many functions, frequent maintenance and care are a must if you want a long-lasting rug.