Now that you're cleaning up from the holidays, you may notice that your area carpets and indoor rugs need a good cleaning. But you don't have to rent a pricey steaming cleaning machine to get the job done. Sometimes the best rug cleaning involves homemade solutions or clever maintenance.
In fact, according to Dallas-based Loloi Rugs, a leading designer and manufacturer of luxury area rugs, regular and proper maintenance strongly influences the durability and long-term appearance of a rug.
This regular maintenance for indoor rugs starts with vacuuming, which should be done once a week. If you are vacuuming looped or braided area floor rugs, remove the rotating beater bar on your vacuum. Otherwise the vacuum will pull yarns loose.
Certain rugs, like leather or shags, cannot be vacuumed. When in doubt, shake the rugs outside to loosen dirt and other particles.
Rotating indoor rugs on a regular basis goes a long way towards preventing uneven wear and deterioration, due to sunlight and foot traffic. It is best to rotate the rug 180 degrees every six months to a year.
If you find yourself with stains or dingy areas on your area floor rugs, consider these best rug cleaning recipes—based on which kind of material was used to make your rug. These tips are courtesy of Loloi Rugs:
- Acrylic: Create your own cleaning detergent with a teaspoon of detergent and a teaspoon of pure white vinegar combined with a quart of warm water.
- Cotton: Small rugs can be machine washed in warm water with a mild detergent. Larger rugs should be treated with a dry cleaning powder.
- Sisal: Sisal is a fiber made from the agave plant. Use a dry cloth to blot the stain, then use water and pure vinegar together to treat the stain. Be sure to wring out the cloth prior to applying the solution, as excessive moisture is not healthy for sisal rugs.
- Jute: Treat stains by dabbing a small amount of club soda on a cloth, or use a cloth dampened with mild soap.
- Wool: Use the same rug cleaning recipes as acrylic.
(Here are other quick and easy stain removal tips for more than just rugs.)
When you take care of your indoor rugs and area carpets, with regular maintenance and cleaning as necessary, they should last as long as you live in your home.
