How to Deep Clean a Rug

Even if you vacuum frequently, your home’s area rugs can accumulate dirt and dust over time. In order to extend the life of your rugs and keep them looking fresh, it’s important to deep-clean them at least twice a year — or more frequently if you have pets, children or muddy boots.

It’s easiest to clean and dry rugs outdoors, so choose a day when the weather is nice and it’s warm enough to spend some time outside.

When you’re cleaning a rug, it’s important to know what material it’s made of. Area rugs can be made of wool, cotton, jute, sisal, sheepskin, polyester, polypropylene, rubber and more. Each material requires a different kind of care. We’ll provide step-by-step instructions on how to wash a rug or clean a rug.

You can steam-clean some wool rugs, but read the label on your area rug to ensure this cleaning method is safe for your particular rug.

Otherwise, pick a sunny day and head outside with a few tools to get your wool rug clean in no time. Before venturing outdoors, vacuum both sides of the rug. Turn the beater bar off to avoid damaging the wool fibers. 

Hang the rug off of a deck or fence and use a broom to beat both sides. This will remove dirt and debris buried in the fibers. 

Wool rugs are durable, but a gentle wool detergent is required to clean them. Add cold water and the detergent to a bucket. Test an inconspicuous area to ensure the color doesn’t bleed. If it does, stop and plan on taking your rug to a professional. 

If the color doesn’t bleed, use a damp sponge to apply the mixture to the rug, being careful not to soak it. Do this in small sections until you’re finished. Then, working again in small sections, use a damp sponge and cold water to rinse the rug off.

Use clean towels or cloths to soak up the extra water. Let the rug dry outside.

Don’t use water to clean jute rugs. It causes the fibers to break down. Instead, follow these instructions to safely clean your jute or sisal rug.

Use a carpet cleaning solution or dry shampoo that you can sprinkle on top of your rug. Work it into the rug with a broom or a vacuum brush head that isn’t turned on. Let the solution sit for 30 minutes or the time that’s listed on your product. Then vacuum your rug.

With the cozy, deep pile of a comfy shag rug comes the possibility for dirt and pet hair to get lodged deep in the fibers. To clean a shag rug, it’s recommended to use the same dry shampoo you’d use for a jute or sisal rug.

Sprinkle the shampoo on top of the rug and allow it to sit for an hour or more. Then use the deep-pile setting on your vacuum to clean up the granules.

The majority of outdoor rugs are made of polypropylene, a durable material that can withstand the elements. They’re also some of the easiest rugs to clean. 

Sweep the rug off. Then mix dishwashing detergent and water in a bucket and work the solution into the rug with a mop or broom. Rinse the rug off with a garden hose and let it dry over a fence or porch railing.

Door mats help keep your home clean by trapping dirt, mud and debris at the door. But you need to clean them regularly for them to remain effective. Door mats are simple to clean.

• For floor mat cleaning, vacuum and shake it out on a regular basis. 
• You can use dishwashing detergent and water to clean a rubber mat.
• Clean a coir mat with a brush, carpet shampoo and water. Hang to dry.
• Some mats are machine-washable. Check the label for instructions.