How To Deep Clean Rug At Home

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To keep the rugs in your home looking fresh, clean and in top condition, there are certain things you need to keep on top of.

For example, any spillages on the rugs need to be dealt with abruptly and vacuuming needs to be part of your regular housework schedule.

Rugs can really add something extra to a room's style and décor, but they are also guilty of attracting a lot of dust and dirt.

According to leading microbiologists, rug fibres can be home to millions of microorganisms, such as mould spores, pollen particles and dust mites. This is why regular rug cleaning is essential and not just part of an annual spring clean.

Follow these five home hacks from the rug experts at The Rug Seller to keep rugs looking, feeling and smelling as good as new, all year round…

1. Vacuum often

This is a fairly obvious one, but make sure to vacuum your rugs at least once a week to pick up any dirt, dust and debris. This will prevent dirt being trodden deep into the fabric, which becomes much harder to remove.

But before you switch on your vacuum cleaner, give the rug a shake to dislodge any loose grit or dirt that is trapped within the fibres – these can then be picked up by the vacuum.

It's best to choose the suction-only function on your vacuum cleaner, rather than use a rotary brush or upright vacuum cleaner, as this can damage the rug and cause fibre shedding. Use the nozzle attachment to lightly vacuum the rug.

There is also the option of using anti-bacterial powders that can be sprinkled onto rugs to rid them of germs – but make sure to test on a small section first in case it may damage the material.

Lastly, always remember to vacuum the rug's underside too – at least once a month.

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2. Clean up spillages immediately

As soon as a liquid is spilled onto a rug, soak it up quickly to ensure it doesn't penetrate into the yarns.

Dampen a white, cotton cloth and blot the affected area – be careful not to rub as this can damage the rug's surface. Keep repeating until all the liquid has been absorbed.

Once you have cleaned up the spillage, leave the rug to dry completely before placing back on the floor. This usually takes around three to four hours.

3. Remove stains

Some rugs are better at repelling stains than others, depending on the type of fabric. Manmade fibres are the most repellent, whereas nylon rugs can be steam cleaned.

A mixture of equal parts white wine vinegar, washing up liquid and warm water should remove tough stains like coffee, red wine and mud. The best thing to do with mud, however, is to leave it to dry and vacuum before cleaning.

The Rug Seller

4. Try a washable rug

If you want an easy way to keep your rug clean, then choose a machine-washable one. Simple.

5. Protect from pets

Reduce the damage your pets inflict on your rug by choosing one that is suitable for dog and cat owners. You may want to go for short pile rugs in a dark colour to hide any scratches or chew marks.

On top of these five tips, you may also like to give your rugs a professional deep clean at least once a year to really enhance their cleanliness and appearance.

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