Rugs are known to add some extra personality and charm to your home, but they also tend to accumulate a lot of dust, dirt, stains, and pet hair. This can be a problem, especially if you don’t clean them frequently. Here are some tips for keeping your rugs clean and fresh.
1. Vacuum Regularly.
One of the simplest and most effective ways to ensure that your rug stays clean is by vacuuming it regularly. A vacuum is a rug’s best friend. It will help remove all the dirt and hair that gets trapped in the fibers. Vacuum once a week, or more if necessary. This will help you get rid of every dirt, dust, and debris that gets accumulated on the surface. Ensure to vacuum both sides of the rug and do so at least once a week. Click here to learn more tips about cleaning and maintaining your luxury rugs.
2. Use A Rug Rake.
A rug rake is a tool that helps loosen up dirt and hair that’s been ground into the carpet. It’s especially helpful if you have pets. Use it every few weeks to keep your rug looking fresh. If you have a rug with a lot of hair on it, then you can use a rug rake to remove all the hair. This is a simple tool that can be easily purchased from any hardware store. Just run the rake over the surface of the rug, and it will remove all the hair in no time.
3. Spot Clean Stains Immediately.
If there are any specific stains or dirt patches on your rug, then it is important that you clean them up as soon as possible. This will prevent the stain from setting in and becoming difficult to remove. You can either use a spot cleaner or make your own natural cleaning solution to get rid of the stain. Use a rug-specific cleaner or make your own by mixing one part water with one part vinegar.
Take care of pet stains and accidents immediately.
If your pet has an accident on the rug, it’s important to clean it up right away. Use a pet-specific cleaner or make one on your own.
Blot, don’t rub.
When cleaning a stain, always blot the area with a clean cloth rather than rubbing it. This will ensure that the stain doesn’t spread and become bigger.
Use a damp cloth to spot clean.
If you spill something on your rug, use a damp cloth to spot clean the area rather than scrubbing it with a brush. This will ensure that the stain doesn’t spread.
4. Deep Clean Your Rug Occasionally.
Even if you vacuum regularly, there will come a time when your rug will need a deep cleaning. Usually, this is done once or twice a year and involves using special cleaning solutions and equipment to clean the rug thoroughly. You can choose to do this yourself or hire a professional rug cleaning service, or rent a Rug Doctor machine from your local grocery store.
5. Keep Your Rug Away From Sunlight.
Sunlight can cause the colors of your rug to fade over time. To prevent this, you can either keep your rug out of direct sunlight or place it in a region with no direct exposure to sunlight. This will ensure your rug stays looking new for a long time. Excessive sun exposure can cause fading and damage to your rug. If possible, move it to a shady spot or hang sheer curtains over windows to filter out the sunlight.
6. Protect Your Rug In General
One of the common ways to keep your rug looking new for a long time is by protecting it from dirt, dust, and stains. You can do this by placing it in an area that doesn’t get a lot of foot traffic. You can also place a mat at the entrance so that people can wipe their feet before entering.
Use a carpet sweeper occasionally.
Suppose you don’t have time to vacuum or rake your rug. Use a carpet sweeper instead. This will ensure the removal of some of the surface dirt and dust.
Flip the rug
Flipping the rug is a great way to evenly distribute the wear and tear and prevent it from becoming lopsided. Do this every few months or so.
Get a rug pad
A rug pad will help keep your rug in place and protect it from slipping and sliding. It will also protect your flooring from dirt and scratches.
Prevent dirt at the door.
One way to keep dirt from being tracked onto your rug is to place a doormat at all entrances to your home. Encourage everyone to wipe their feet before coming inside.
Shoes must be off-limits.
Also, make sure you remove your shoes before walking on the rug. To keep dirt and other things from getting on your rug, ask everyone in your home to take their shoes off before entering. This will help keep your rug clean and free of allergens.
Test cleaners in an inconspicuous area first.
Before using any cleaners on your rug, it’s important to test them in a small, inconspicuous area first to make sure they won’t damage the fibers or cause color bleeding.
Store your rug properly.
When not in use, store your rug in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. This will help keep it looking fresh and new for longer.
7. Hang Your Rug To Dry.
After cleaning, hang your rug up to dry instead of putting it in the dryer. This will help prevent it from shrinking or becoming misshapen.
8. Shake It Out Regularly.
If you have a rug that is made of synthetic materials, then it is important to shake it regularly to get rid of all the fuzz and lint. This will prevent the fibers from getting matted down and will keep the rug looking fresh and new.
To keep your rug looking fresh, shake it out or beat it with a broom on a regular basis. This will get rid of dirt or dust that’s been ground into the fibers.
9. Groom Your Pets Regularly.
Brush your pets on a regular basis. This will reduce the amount of hair they shed onto your rug. Do this as often as required, depending on how much your pet sheds.
10. Regularly Clean Your Vacuum Cleaner’s Filters.
If you require your vacuum to be effective while cleaning your rug, make sure to regularly clean the filters. This will ensure that all the dirt and hair gets sucked up rather than just pushed around.
Make Use Of Manageable Rugs
You can opt for a small or medium-sized rug for your home as they are easier to clean and maintain as compared to larger ones. It is also important that you choose a rug made of materials that can be easily cleaned. For instance, natural fibers like wool or cotton can be cleaned with relative ease as compared to synthetic materials.
Hire A Professional Rug Cleaner
If you don’t have the time or the know-how to clean your rug yourself, then you can always hire a professional rug cleaning service. They will have special equipment and cleaning solutions that will help clean your rug thoroughly. Many people are surprised to learn that there are professional rug cleaning services available. These services use special equipment and solutions to clean rugs quickly and easily. UrbanMop is a move-in, move-out cleaning service with a professional staff. They will clean your rug before you move into a new home or after you move out of your old home. They will also pick up and deliver your rug for you. UrbanMop is a reliable and trustworthy company that ensures your rug is clean and dirt-free.
Some reasons for you to hire a professional –
1) Steam Cleaning
Steam cleaning the rug is one the most effective ways to remove all the dirt, dust, and debris that has accumulated over time. It is definitely a great way to get rid of any unwanted pet hair.
2) Deodorizing
Rugs can often get smelly due to all the dirt and bacteria that accumulate on them. A professional rug cleaning service will be able to deodorize your rug and get rid of all the smells.
3) Protecting Against Damage
Rugs are often prone to get damaged if not cleaned regularly. A professional rug cleaning service will be able to use special equipment and solutions to protect your rug from any damage.
4) Extending The Life Of Your Rug
A professional rug cleaning service will also be able to extend the life of your rug by using special techniques and solutions. This will ensure that your rug lasts long and looks new for years to come.
5) Your Lifestyle
With a busy schedule, it is natural that you cant make room for a rug cleaning day on your own. This is where a rug cleaning service comes in handy, as they will be able to work around your schedule and clean your rug when it is most convenient for you.
How Often Should You Clean Your Rug
1) Every Three Months
If you have a household with kids and pets, then it is advisable to clean your rug every three months. This will prevent the accumulation of dirt, dust, and stains.
2) Twice A Year
For households that are not as busy, you can clean your rug twice a year. This will be enough to remove all the dirt and dust that has accumulated over time.
3) As Needed
For households that are very clean and don’t have any pets or kids, you can clean your rug as needed. This means that you can clean it when there is a noticeable buildup of dirt, dust, or stains.
No matter how often you clean your rug, it is important to keep in mind that it should be done regularly to keep it looking new and fresh.
Conclusion
There are many reasons why you should hire a professional rug cleaning service. Some of the benefits include steam cleaning, deodorizing, protecting against damage, and extending the life of your rug. So, if you want your rug to look clean and new for years to come, then hire a professional to do the needful.
As with any other home furnishing, rugs need to be cleaned on a regular basis to remove dirt, dust, stains, and other buildups. By keeping in mind the tips discussed above, you can keep your rug looking new and fresh for years to come.
These are some of the best rug cleaning hacks that you should keep in mind to ensure that your rug always looks clean and fresh. Just make sure you follow these tips, and you will be able to enjoy your rug for a long time.
