Area rugs

Rugs are a great piece of home decor. They come in all sorts of textures and sizes. Commonly, rugs are made of wood, jute, silk, polyester, and nylon. Each type of rug possesses a different kind of quality depending on the material they are made of. For example, wool rugs are soft and incredibly durable, while jute rugs are tough and have a more coarse texture.

The design of your area rugs is a crucial aspect that influences their usefulness and longevity. Rugs can be manufactured either by hand, machine, or combined. Hand-knotted teapots rugs employ natural fibers and have the best quality, and are very longest lasting. This method involves tremendous expertise and care and produces area rugs that can be maintained well for a long period of time, and it’s due to this reason that they tend to be more expensive.

While rugs tend to occupy the entire space of the room, rugs come in various sizes. Some of the most common sizes are 5 ‘x8′ and 8’x11.’ Additionally, you can also select different designs for your area rugs depending on your preference. They come in varying designs; geometric and irregularly shaped rugs are some examples of the most trending styles.

The moveability aspect of area rugs is what significantly distinguishes them from carpets. While carpets are installed wall-to-wall and affixed to the floor, you cannot move them around. As for area rugs, you can move them wherever you wish to since they are not secured to the floor. Additionally, this movability characteristic makes area rugs easier to replace, while replacing carpets tends to cost a dime.

What is the cheapest way to clean an area rug?

While getting your rugs professionally cleaned sounds like the most optimum solution to eliminate all those stubborn stains and grime that accumulates in the fibers of your area rug over time, it is quite an expensive investment. You’d be surprised at how many common ingredients you have at your home which can assist you in deep cleaning your rug. Some of these ingredients also include eco-friendly products such as baking soda and vinegar that can help protect the environment. In this guide, you will be able to find economical ways to make your area rug look all bright and new!

Common household ingredients

1. The mixture of vinegar, soap, and water is one of the best methods of cleaning your rug. The best part? It is completely inexpensive. Add a quarter tablespoon of white vinegar to the dish soap and warm water and spot-clean the stained areas of your rugs with it and watch as they disappear!
2. Shaving cream is another affordable alternative. Find some non-dyed shaving cream and apply it to the stained area for ten minutes. Then dab the cream gently and use a towel to rinse it away.
3. Club soda is another cheap method that removes aggressive stains such as red wine and other beverages. Squeeze club soda on the stained spot then rinses the stain with a damp paper towel.

Vacuuming and scrubbing

The first method requires a vacuum, dish soap, garden hose, a water bucket, and a sponge. This technique will clean your rug in a couple of hours. Ensure that you execute this cleaning project on a sunny or overcast day to allow your area rug to dry quickly.

1. Begin by thoroughly vacuuming your rug on both sides. This will assist in removing all the loose dust that has been accumulated in the fibers of your carpet.
2. Then mix dish soap with a bucket of warm water and test the colorfastness of your rug by spraying the mixture on an unnoticeable corner of the rug.
3. Wear a pair of gloves and prepare to clean your area rug thoroughly. Mix the detergent into the carpeting deeply with a sponge or brush until it starts lathering. Before rinsing, let the solution settle on the rug and work for a couple of minutes.
4. Make use of a garden hose to thoroughly rinse the rug, assuring that there are no soap suds left in the water.
5. If you still suspect that there is some excess water remaining, you can make use of a squeegee. This tool is perfect because of the grip it provides, allowing for rigorous cleaning. Firmly press the squeegee in your rug to extract as much water as possible.
6. Allow your rug to dry entirely. Lay it out on a clothing rack or a pavement and once one side of it has dried, flip it over and let the other side fully dry as well.
7. In order to loosen the compacted fibers, it is essential to either vacuum or brush the rug once it has dried. If you choose to use a brush, it is recommended to use one with soft bristles.

Pressure washing

You should be able to restore the color of your area rug with the proper pressure washer. You must also be sure you have a low PSI pressure unit – since you might do more damage than good when using a high-pressure unit. Ideally, cleaning your rug should not exceed 1500 PSI.

It is also vital to investigate the sorts of materials that were used to make the carpet. Highly sensitive fabrics are susceptible to great damage if cleaned by pressure water, so it should be noted that not every area rug is pressure washer friendly; some can be laundered while others can either be dry cleaned or spot-cleaned.

1. Take your area rug outdoors and lie it on flat ground.
2. The crucial element is the type of pressure washer you choose. It is highly advised not to use a pressure washer with a strong tip (pressure washers with 1600 to 1800 PSI will be perfect for this job). Begin with a lower power tip and operate using the equipment from a safe distance to prevent any kind of damage
3. Confirm that the detergent you are using is compatible with the fabric of your area rug. You don’t want to use a detergent that is too harsh and ends up causing your rug significant damage. Gently rub the detergent or carpet cleaner into the stained regions with a brush that has soft bristles.
4. Give your rug another wash to get rid of the soap suds, then allow it to dry in the sunlight completely.