Can Area Rugs Be Washed?

If your area rug is small enough, you can put it in the washing machine. Set the machine to a cold, delicate cycle and allow it to air dry. However, if your carpet is too big for the machine, you can clean it thoroughly by hand. We recommend doing it on a sunny day so you can take it outside to wash and dry it.

Cleaning an area rug is a project that you can easily do yourself. Unless the carpet is extremely delicate (like an antique rug, Persian rug, or oriental rug), there's no need to hire professional carpet cleaners. Avoid using store-bought carpet shampoos on carpets in the area as these products are known to cause bleeding on carpets and discolor carpet dyes. If your carpet is made of wool or a wool blend, don't use a detergent-based cleaning solution for clothes; the detergent may leave residues and alter color tones.

If your carpet has tall plush fur, use a liquid cleaner as powder cleaners usually leave residues on the fibers. Unless your carpet has a label that clearly states that it can be dry-cleaned or only stains cleaned, most carpets can be washed, even those with a rubber backing. Before cleaning the entire carpet, test the cleaning product on a small part of the carpet that is not very visible. Your best bet is a professional-quality carpet cleaner, especially if you're worried about ruining an expensive carpet.

While some people choose to clean their carpets themselves, most people don't have the time, energy, or inclination to do so. Read on to find out how to freshen up those worn-out rugs so they look as good as when you first unrolled them. However, regardless of the type of vacuum you use, you'll need to adjust the settings depending on the type of carpet you're vacuuming. The first time you clean a carpet, wash it separately from any other clothing if it doesn't fade or can't be machine washed. If you have a very wide, heavy, or expensive rug, or if you've never cleaned a large carpet before, you might have many questions.