Your rug means a lot to you. They have been a great way to add warmth and personality to your decor. But it's natural that the normal wear and tear will come along. Thus, they will need a good cleaning to look like new.
We at Home Decor Fine Rugs understand that it will not be possible for you to get it professionally cleaned every time. Therefore, time to time cleaning of the rug at home will save you the expense of professional cleaning and also keep your beloved rug intact for a longer period.
To be able to clean a rug, we first need to determine when it's cleaning is required.
So, here are a few ways to know the right time of rug cleaning -
WAY 1
Rub your hand on the front side of the rug in circular motion for few seconds, then give a look at your palm. If your has dirt on it, then your rug is dirty. So you know, it's time that your rug needs a cleaning.
WAY 2
Use a broom or stick to beat the rug. If dust is coming out of the rug on beating, it is a sign that your rug needs cleaning.
WAY 3
Lift any corner of the rug and lightly beat it from beneath. If a large cloud of dust is released, it certainly needs attention.
WAY 4
If your vacuum cleaner seems to get full faster than ever, you need to know that your carpet is the most probable reason. So get prepared to clean it.
WAY 5
Generally, carpets have brighter colors. You need to give your rug a thorough cleanup if the colors seem to fade, even after you know that your rug is quite young and bright.
FIND A PLACE TO CLEAN YOUR RUG
Before deciding to clean your rug, decide the place and read the care instructions on the rug’s label carefully. Try to choose such a day to clean your rug when there is a forecast of couple of sunny and hot days. It may be easier to clean your rugs outdoors. This will keep most of the dust and dirt out of the house. The sunshine and warm air will also help it to dry more quickly and thoroughly. Plus, the sun helps to eliminate or prevent the offensive odor as well. If an outside area to wash the rug is not available, use any spacious floor area that will help you to clean the rug thoroughly. Also, take care that the floor is such that it doesn't get spoiled with any moisture.
•TOOLS REQUIRED FOR CLEANING A RUG AT HOME
Cleaning a rug only requires a few basic tools. You will need:
Vacuum
Rug beater or broom
Rug shampoo
Two buckets
Large sponges
Towels
•STEPS FOR CLEANING THE RUG AT HOME
Shake or beat the rug
Give your rug a good shake to release loose dirt and dust. To loosen deeply embedded dirt, you can use a broom or rug beater to hit the rug all over.
Prepare the cleaning solution
Buy a rug shampoo or mix two to three teaspoons of mild dish soap into a bucket with warm water. Also keep another bucket with clean water handy.
Check the solution before beginning
Test the rug for colorfastness: Before cleaning a rug with any type of solution, it should be tested for colorfastness to avoid damage.
Use sponge/brush frequently, so the dirt will not be transferred.
Use the towels to absorb any excess moisture. Scrub, rinse and blot an area before moving to the next.
Let the rug dry y before bringing it back inside, rotating it periodically to promote even drying. Once inside, turn on fans to promote more air circulation and help the rug dry more completely.
Adjust rug fibers: Once the rug has dried completely, lightly go over the rug with a vacuum or a soft-bristle brush to refresh the fibers.
Maintenance is important
• If you want to absorb rug odors, lightly sprinkle a little baking soda over the rug and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes before vacuuming.
• Depending on footfall traffic, clean your rug with a vacuum cleaner once or twice a week.
• Clean the spots and spills on the rug right away to keep them from staining.
• Avoid wearing shoes on rugs to keep outside dirt and dust.
