Uni-Cleaner<\/a> on hand to deal with the majority of common spills and stains.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCleaning different kinds of rug stains<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
For most small spills, you can save a lot of money by acting quickly and having the right tools on hand. Your first step should be to consult the care label on your rug, but if it isn\u2019t detailed enough, these tips can help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to clean basic rug stains<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
With most basic stains, the key is to act quickly. The first step is to remove any physical debris from the area. Avoid using a paper towel or a rag at this point so you don\u2019t push the debris further into the pile. It\u2019s best to use a tool like a fork or a spoon to gently lift the dirt up and away. Next, dab the area gently with a damp paper towel and treat with a stain-removal solution. Finally, rinse the area with cool water and dab dry. Never use warm water. Repeat this process as necessary for stubborn spills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to clean pet stains<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Pet stains are among the most common and most dreaded stains\npeople will have to deal with. Left untreated, urine stains will start to\nsmell. That means these stains not only look bad but can pose potential health\nrisks too. The most important thing to know with pet stains is to never use a\nsteam cleaner. The high heat involved will only amplify the smell and help set\nthe stain. Instead, treat them like any other stain, but use a cleaner designed\nto deal with pet stains. These are specially formulated to counteract the\nfoul-smelling and potentially dangerous chemicals found in urine. Act quickly,\navoid heat, and remember to lightly dab rather than scrub, and pet stains will\nbe no problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cleaning different types of rugs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The above information will get you far with most rugs, but there are some additional considerations you should take depending on the style and material of your rug. Read on to learn how to clean a rug made of any material or construction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to clean wool and cotton rugs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Wool is a wonder material. It\u2019s soft, durable, largely waterproof, and holds color better than most other materials. Unfortunately, the shape of the fibers also makes them very good at holding dirt. As a natural fiber, cotton shares most of these pros and cons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Luckily, these rugs do not require too much additional\nmaintenance beyond what you would expect. Be extra vigilant about vacuuming, especially\nduring the first few months. Wool rugs tend to shed when they are brand new.\nDon\u2019t be alarmed! Your rug will not end up bare\u2014once all the loose fibers have\nshaken out, your rug should look great for years to come!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to clean jute rugs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Jute is an extremely tough material with hard fibers that\nare very hard for dirt to cling to. This makes them generally easy to\nclean\u2014occasional vacuuming should be all you need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Water and jute don\u2019t mix. Jute absorbs moisture easily and\ntends to hold on to it for a long time which can lead to mold, mildew or\nharmful bacteria forming. Make sure to dry any spills quickly with paper towels\nand a hair dryer, limit yourself to spot cleanings, and test any cleaners on an\ninconspicuous spot first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to clean synthetic fiber rugs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Most rugs on the market today are made from synthetic materials like polypropylene, polyester and acrylic. These rugs do a good job of mimicking wool and cotton rugs for a fraction of their price and require no special care considerations. However, it is important to manage expectations with synthetic rugs. Unlike wool, cotton, and other porous natural fibers, synthetic fibers are very smooth. This means they will show dirt more readily, will not hold dye as well, and will tend to fade over time. Luckily, with regular maintenance, these issues can be mitigated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should also know that many synthetic rugs have a jute backing and share all the challenges that come with an entirely jute rug. If this is the case for your rug, avoid using water to clean your rug and dry any spills as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to clean shag rugs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Regardless of the material, shag rugs will require some special care to keep them clean<\/a>. The long fibers of shag rugs are great at attracting dirt and keeping it buried deep in the pile. That high pile also creates challenges for vacuuming. Powerful suction can damage the fibers and the beater bar can even rip them out. If you must vacuum a shag rug, NEVER use the beater bar. If the rug is small enough, flip it upside down and vacuum the back of the rug instead. This will loosen any dirt buried underneath. You can then easily sweep up the floor below the rug, cleaning up anything that was shaken loose.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow to deep clean a rug<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
For set-in stains, the best thing to do is give the whole rug\na thorough deep cleaning. Keep reading before you run out to rent a machine or\ncall an expensive professional service, though. While these options certainly\ncan make things easier or more convenient, it\u2019s surprisingly easy to deep clean\na rug yourself with household cleaners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Check the label<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If your rug has a care label, consult it before attempting any deep cleaning and follow any instructions it offers. This label will let you know if there are any special considerations you should take or even if you should avoid cleaning entirely. If your rug has a jute backing, for example, you should not attempt this kind of deep cleaning, as it will be very hard to dry the rug. It may end up developing foul-smelling mold or mildew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prepare your workstation and tools<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Before you start, set up a space to work outside. Ideally,\nthis will be somewhere sunny where you can let the rug dry for a while when\nyou\u2019re done. This also means the best time to do a deep cleaning is in the\nspring or summer when you can take advantage of the sunlight. Good candidates\nare a sloped driveway or a deck with a railing you can drape the rug over.\nAvoid setting up on your lawn, as you don\u2019t want cleaners soaking into the\ngrass. You\u2019ll also need the following materials:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Rug shampoo or mild dish detergent<\/li>
- Bucket<\/li>
- Soft-bristle brush or sponge<\/li>
- Water<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Vacuum the rug<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Your first step should be to give the rug a thorough\nvacuuming on both sides of the rug to loosen debris. If it still appears to be\ndusty, don\u2019t be afraid to whack it with a broom a few times to knock out any\nadditional trapped debris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Clean with rug shampoo or mild detergent<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
When using a rug shampoo, follow the mixing instructions\nprovided. If you use dish detergent instead, a few capfuls in a bucket of warm\nwater should be enough. Test on a small, inconspicuous area first to check for\ncolorfastness. If all goes well, rinse the whole rug with a garden hose, then\ngently start working your cleaning solution into the rug with the soft brush.\nYou shouldn\u2019t need to work too hard, just let the cleaner do its work. Let the\nrug sit for a few minutes or as directed by your shampoo, then rinse it again\nwith the hose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dry fully<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
This might be the most important step: make sure your rug is\ncompletely dry before you bring it inside. Depending on the material and\nconstruction of your rug, this can take time\u2014don\u2019t rush it! Failure to\ncompletely dry your rug before bringing it inside can lead to mold, mildew,\nbacteria, bad smells, and permanent damage to the rug or floor it ends up\ncovering. You can help this process along by having the rug laid out on a\nsloped driveway or draped over a deck railing or clothesline. If you have\naccess to one, you might consider setting up a box fan to speed things up. Flip\nthe rug periodically to help it dry evenly on both sides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vacuum again<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Finally, give the rug one more vacuum to remove any dirt\nloosened up by the deep cleaning that was not already rinsed away. You rug\nshould be looking good as new!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Got any rug cleaning tips?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\nThere\u2019s a lot to consider when cleaning a rug,\nand more than one way to do the job. If you have any secret techniques, tips,\nor tricks, share them with us! We would love to be able to share great advice\nfrom experienced rug owners as we update this page to include even more\ninformation about the care and keeping of every type of rug imaginable.\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n