Using a rug to decorate your home adds interest and ambience to your interiors. Rugs can define areas, create a focal point or a colour scheme.
Like any household interior, it’s important to regularly clean and maintains your rugs to keep your home looking fabulous.
While professional rug cleaning is recommended every 6-12 months, here are four easy ways to give your rugs a DIY maintenance in between professional cleans.
1. Vacuum
The first easy step in keeping your rugs clean is to vacuum them thoroughly. Regular vacuuming is essential to remove any dirt and dust that’s trapped in between the fibres. Vacuuming is important in removing as much dirt as possible prior to cleaning with any liquids.
Start by flipping the rug over and vacuuming the bottom first. Not only does this extract the dust trapped underneath but it also forces the dirt to the top of the rug. Flip the rug back and vacuum the top to remove the excess dirt.
A general practice is to vacuum at least once a week. However, factors such as household living conditions and the material used in making the rug will determine how often it should be vacuumed. It’s recommended to vacuum more often if you have pets or children.
2. Spot Clean
The best way to extend the life of your rugs is to spot clean any stains immediately to ensure that the stain or spillage doesn’t cause lasting damage. When treating stains, start gently to avoid damaging the rug’s fibres.
Start by using just plain water and a white cloth. This allows you to see how much of the stain is removed and whether it’s time to change clothes, depending on how big the spill is. Always use a gentle blotting or dabbing technique. Similarly, blot from the outwards in. These tips prevent the stains from spreading.
If plain water isn’t effective, choose a DIY rug stain remover. One example of a DIY solution is to mix baking soda with water. Baking soda can effectively absorb the stain, and it’s likely you’ll have this ingredient in your kitchen cupboard already.
For more DIY stain remover solutions, read our previous blog.
3. Deep Clean
While vacuuming your rug is effective, it’s essential to give your rug a deep wash using a liquid detergent, every so often. To avoid any mess, it’s best to hand wash the rug in your laundry sink.
Before commencing a DIY clean of your rug, test a patch using your choice of rug shampoo or cleaner, to ensure the material of your rug doesn’t have a bad reaction to the shampoo.
Start by mixing your choice of store-bought shampoo or detergent with lukewarm water to avoid any shrinkage. To give your rug a thorough clean, use a sponge or cloth to lather up the soapy solution. Allow the soap to sit for a few minutes before rinsing the rug thoroughly with water. Once the soap has been rinsed out, squeeze as much excess water out as possible. Lay the rug flat to dry, flipping it over once each side has dried fully.
4. Remove Odours
One way to remove rug odours is to use an overnight method with vinegar. Place a bowl of white vinegar on a coffee table, or similar surface, close to the rug. Leave the bowl for approximately 24 hours to allow it to absorb the odours in the room. Not only is this method effortless, but it also deodorises the entire room.
Another way to remove odours from your rug is to use an overnight method with baking soda. Sprinkle an adequate amount over the rug and allow the powder to sit for a few hours. The amount of hours you let it sit depends on how strong the odour is. After a period of time simply vacuum the baking soda.
These four easy DIY steps should be performed quite regularly to maintain a clean a professional deep clean be carried out at least once a year or as necessary.
At CRG Carpet Cleaning, we specialise in carpet and rug cleaning for both residential and commercial buildings. We offer dry and steam cleaning at competitive prices.
For more information, call us on 0411 154 433 or request a quote here.
