How To Clean A Rug

Even with a 'no shoes inside' policy and regular vacuuming, there will come a time when your rug needs a bit of extra love. Spills and mystery stains are also a fact of life so it helps to know what to do when these issues arise as the longer you leave a stain the harder it is to remove. We've put together this quick guide to maintaining your rug and how to resolve common rug cleaning issues!

How To Clean Rug Stains

Spot cleaning works best for stains and the quicker you act the better to prevent the stain from setting. Most stains can be removed using some basic household items including:

• cold water (warm or hot will set the stain)
• clean rag or towel
• bicarb soda
• vinegar

Before you begin, make sure you soak up any excess liquid using paper towels or other absorbent cloth. Don't rub, just apply pressure and let the liquid soak in.

Simply mix 4 parts water with 1 part vinegar and dab at the stain gently until it starts to lift. Stubborn stains may require some bicarb soda. Add a small amount to the stain and keep dabbing until the stain lifts.

Once you've removed the stain, cover the area with bicarb soda and wait for it to dry (approximately half an hour). You can then vacuum the bicarb and view your beautiful stain-free rug!

How To Clean A Wool Rug

A wool rug is an investment and therefore needs a little bit of extra care when it comes to cleaning. Even though there are some decent carpet cleaning products and dry shampoos on the market, we don't recommend these for your wool rug.

Wool naturally deters bacterial growth and thanks to its lanolin content, repels stains and dust mites. This means your wool rug should stay cleaner for longer and require only basic maintenance to keep it looking its best. Follow these tips to properly care for your wool rug and protect your investment.

• Vacuum regularly, especially when your rug is new.
• Rotate the rug to prevent wear patterns and fading from sunlight that enters the room.
• If your wool rug has a stain, follow the steps above.
• Very dirty or neglected wool rugs will require a professional clean.

How To Clean A Shag Rug

Shaggy rugs feel amazing underfoot but they are particularly prone to attracting dirt due to their long fibres. Regular vacuuming will keep your rug from looking too dingy, but all shag rugs will need a deeper clean from time to time.

Refresh your shaggy rug with these simple steps:

• Vacuum your rug using the highest setting. Move the vacuum slowly and in different directions to pick up as much dirt as possible. Don't forget to vacuum the back as well.
• Next, give your shag rug a good shake outside. You may need an extra pair of hands for this depending on the size of your rug.
• Beating also works well for refreshing rugs that aren't stained or in need of a professional treatment. Lay your rug over a rail and beat a clean broom over the rug to loosen debris.
• Finally, lay your rug out in strong sunlight for the day to kill any nasties hiding in your rug.

Cleaning Floor Rugs - General Advice

As we've already discussed above, regular vacuuming is very important. Once a week or twice, if you have pets, is enough to prevent excess dirt from embedding in the fibres. Other general advice includes:

• If you have hairy pets or a lot of them, use a stiff brush to remove the excess hair. You can also buy vacuum cleaners with special pet hair heads and dedicated pet hair removing hand tools!
• Treat stains quickly (see above) and don't forget to check the back to see if the stain has soaked through to the other side.
• Antique rugs should always be cleaned by a professional!

If you have a question about how to clean your rug from Rugs Express, don't hesitate to get in touch with our friendly and knowledgeable customer service team.