When guests enter your living room and sit there after some time they start looking here and there. Your eyes wander around too and find your rug looks dull. At that moment, you feel irked and as soon as they leave the home, you start searching about how to keep rugs looking new.
Everything starts losing its beauty with time, and so do area rugs. Fading, staining, and wear can make rugs look older. Proper care and maintenance help them look new and high-spirited. Add charm and coziness with different styles in your home.
Research shows that a beautiful and clean home takes away half of your depression and gives you calmness.
Here in this blog, we will ensure that you learn new and simple tricks to keep your rugs looking new. So stick till the end!
How to Keep Rugs Looking New at Home: Basic Care
There are different kinds of rugs Braided, Tufted, Hooked, Oriental, Sisal and Jute, Seagrass, Oushak rugs, etc. Their construction is different, so the methods of cleaning should be different. We can not “beat everyone with the same stick”.
Below we are sharing every possible trick to make your rugs look new.
Also Read: how to clean an area rug on hardwood floor
Regular Vacuuming
Regular vacuuming is the first and must-have thing for cleaning area rugs. Everyone thinks vacuuming is their cup of tea, yeah that’s right, but you should be aware of proper methods, do’s and don’ts, and how frequently you should vacuum your rug.
Vacuuming Frequency
How many times you should vacuum in a week depends on where your rug is placed, foot traffic, pet entry, etc. If your rug is placed in a high-traffic place and has long piles, you should vacuum it at least twice a week.
Also Read: How to Clean a Polypropylene Rug: 101 Cleaning Guide
But if it is at a low-traffic place, vacuuming once a week will be good.
Vacuum Setting
Shaggy rugs and Oriental rugs can not tolerate a beater bar on them, so use the lowest suction setting on them. You can use a high suction setting and beater bar on some other rugs that have lower piles. On fringes, avoid using a vacuum.
Choosing the Right Vacuum
There are many types of vacuums, for example, some vacuums are for light use, some for heavy, some have bags, and others have canisters and HEPA filter systems. If you have rugs at staires, a handheld vacuum is your need. If your rug is big, upright vacuums are best for it.
If you have pets, there are different vacuums available for those rugs. In conclusion, every rug is designed differently, so it can not be cleaned with one type of vacuum, you need to get more than one vacuum for your rug’s cleanliness.
Keeping your vacuum clean and well-maintained
Alongside the carpets, your vacuum needs to be kept clean and maintained. Sometimes dirt and debris clog the whistles of the vacuum, which affects its job, it can also damage the rug. So for its proper functioning, it is necessary to keep the filters, canisters, and bags of the vacuum clean and maintained.
If your vacuum has bags, try to replace it often.
Also Read: How to Make a Rug Fluffy Again
Most Common Mistake While Vacuuming
Carpet powders have been the worst invention for area rug cleaning ever since. It can damage rugs as well as damage the vacuum by clogging it. Try not to use it on your carpets.
Baking powder is a good alternative to these carpet powders and it can be extracted from the rug easily without damaging the rug.
How to Remove Stains from Rugs?
Address the stain as soon as possible, that could be a first advice or tip. Blot it with a clean towel or cloth until it becomes clean. If the stain has been dried, rub it with a less sharp knife and wipe it out with a wet clean cloth.
Alcohol and soft drinks
After following the above tip, make a solution of vinegar, water, and dishwasher bar. Pour it on the stain, let it sit for a while, and clean it with a paper towel. It will take away the bad odor as well.
Coffee or tea, Pet Urine, feces, and vomit
It can be stubborn if you do not catch the stains of coffee, tea, and pet accidents quickly. Use vinegar solution on it and see if it makes the space clean. If not, use commercial cleaning products.
Also Read: How to Stop Dogs Peeing on Rug
Fat-based Stains
For stains of gravy etc. blot the stain with a clean cloth, then sprinkle baking powder over it, let it dry, and wipe it away. If it does not work, use commercial carpet powder.
Gum and Melted Wax
Scrap it as much as you can from the area rug, then place the packet of ice to harden it. Gently rub the remaining wax or gum. Use any powder carpet cleaner, if required.
Use Stain Resistant Spray on Your Area Rug
Different stain-resistant sprays are available in the market. These sprays help prevent the stains and dirt on the rug. Choose one wisely for your rug. Keep the spray bottle 12 inches above the surface of the rug and sprinkle evenly over the whole rug.
Don’t move or place anything on the rug till it’s completely dry.
How to Clean an Area Rug: Material-by-Material Guide
As stated above, every rug is constructed differently, so the cleaning methods should be different. Some rugs require more care, and some less depending on their material, construction, colors, and fabrics.
Below we will give you tips on cleaning them one by one.
How to Clean Woven or Braided Rugs
Before cleaning the Woven or braided rugs, see their instruction label to check whether you can wash them in the machine or not. If yes, put the small rugs in the machine, use just cold water and any mild detergent. You can either dry it in the dryer or the sunlight.
In the case of large braided rugs, it’s hard to wash them in the washing machine. Place them on the open floor and wash them using any mild commercial carpet cleaning foam. Let it completely dry in the open air.
Before placing it back in the room, must vacuum it again and Enjoy it.
How to Clean Hand-Knotted, Antique, and Oriental Rugs
Antique Persian rugs are appropriate for high-traffic areas. But you can not vacuum them as you do to others. For vacuuming it, place nylon mesh over the rug or tie it under the vacuum bar. Replace the mesh frequently, the vacuum could work efficiently.
Once a year, seek the help of a professional cleaner and also change their place after a few months for even wear. Protect them from high and frequent sunlight.
Note: Check their label of instructions before cleaning them and also inquire about the procedure of cleaning from the rug’s seller.
How to Clean Coir, Sisal, Rush, and Grass Rugs
The seagrass, sisal, and grass rugs are products of nature that allow dirt to go down on the floor through them rather than sticking on the surface of the rug. These are good for welcoming places. Vacuum them frequently, at least once or twice a week, and vacuum the floor under them as well.
As they are natural products, they don’t like water so much, if you want to wash them, make this procedure quick and let them dry in the open air or by using a hair dryer.
Also Read: Can Outdoor Rugs get Wet?
There are a variety of these rugs, some have their spare parts available in the market. Buy some square parts of these rugs and replace them with the damaged rugs part. Sew it with carpet thread.
How to Clean Fur, Sheepskin, and Hair-on Hides
Have you ever heard about the Talcum powder? One of the advantages of Talcum powder is that it can also be used for the cleaning of rugs, sprinkle it over the complete fur, and let it stay for 4 to 5 hours or more. By using a brush, wipe it away. It will make your rug clean and lively.
For cleaning the back of the rug, dip the clean cloth in soapy water and gently rub it on the back. Use another clean wet cloth to clean the soap residues. Let it completely dry in the air and then place it back in the room.
How to Deep Clean Rugs?
In the dry cleaning procedure, the first step is to treat spots or stains. If the rug has any spot on it, use the above-mentioned techniques to flee it away from the rug. Before washing the rug, check its care label to know whether you can wash it in the machine. Some rugs can be only dry cleaned, which means they are not colorfast.
Look for a professional dry cleaner for such kinds of rugs. If a rug is washable in a machine, you can put it in the washing machine with cold water and mild detergent. Let it dry in the sunlight. When a rug becomes dry completely, place it in the room and vacuum it again for even placement.
Must deep clean your rugs twice or once a year, it will stretch their life.
How Wear and Tear Affect Your Ability to Keep Carpets Clean?
When rugs get old, they go through wear and tear which makes their cleaning tough. Dirt and debris get stuck in these carpets, and can not be removed away properly with a vacuum or any rug cleaning procedure. Here you need to seek professional help.
Wear and tear is common, but here are some factors that make this process fast.
Use Doormats at the Welcome place
Using rough textured doormats is the best thing to prevent your area rugs and carpets from wear and tear or from getting dirty. They encourage guests to take their shoes off before entering the living room.
Coir and rubber are the best options for entering places because of their durability and stickiness in one place.
Maintain your HVAC System
The HVAC ( Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system plays an important role in the rug’s life span. Keep your HVAC system well-maintained and replace its filters occasionally not just to speed up its functioning and make the environment clean but also to keep the rugs clean and clear.
Get professional services once a year to minimize any future issues.
Replace Vacuum Filter Bags Often
Some vacuums have filter bags and others have canisters. Dirt stuck in these bags and canisters can make their working efficiency low. To keep them alive and do their job efficiently and quickly, replace the vacuum bags often.
Invest in Rug Pads
Rug pads are a very important thing. These pads are kept under the rug, save them from dirt, and keep them stick to their place. Sliding and slipping can cause the wear and tear of the rug, but due to rug pads, this problem can be controlled.
If you do not know which rug pads are good for your area rug, you can ask to any expert rug seller. Spread these pads under the whole rug for the best results.
Also Read: How to Fix a Rug that is Curling up
Move Furniture Occasionally
Keeping furniture for a long time in one place on the rug can make it dented. Plus that part of the rug starts looking dull and old. By moving the furniture, you can prevent this problem as well as your mood will also become fresh due to the change in the environment.
Set Furniture On Coasters
The feet of furniture leave dents on the rug if kept for a long time. You can overcome this problem by keeping coasters under the feet of furniture.
It will save the life of your rug.
Beware of High Traffic over the Rug
Rugs placed in high-traffic areas go to wear and tear sooner. Try to limit the traffic and also encourage your family and guests to no-shoe policy on the rug. Shoes come with lots of dirt on the rugs which makes them look sticky and dirty.
The second option is to use any good and rough material door mats and rugs at the high foot traffic places.
Avoid Using Sticky Substances on Your Area Rug
Do not use wax, and chewing gum on the rug, because it can fall on the area rug by mistake. These sticky substances sometimes are hard to take off from the surface of the rug. So make sure not to use it on the antique and precious rugs.
Conclusion
We hope this guide has answered your question about keeping area rugs looking new. Let me conclude so you can understand better. Choose a good vacuum according to the type of your rug. Vacuum your rug once or twice a week, depending on where it is placed.
Use rug pads, doormats, and coasters under furniture to increase its life span. Deep clean the area rug at least once a year. Be mindful of spills, stains, and pet accidents on the rug. That is how you can keep it clean and look new.
Also Read: What to Do with Old Rugs?
