Is it Worth Cleaning an Area Rug?

Rugs are a great way to add a touch of warmth and personality to any room. But after long-term use, they'll need a good cleaning to make them look like new. For most modern carpets, cleaning can be a DIY project that is done once a year and saves you the cost of professional cleaning. If your carpet is in a high-traffic area of your home, it's a good idea to get it professionally cleaned at least once a year.

Depending on the type of carpet, cleaning may involve the extraction of hot water and an anti-stain treatment, or perhaps a dry cleaning method if the carpet is delicate.To keep your rug looking its best, it's important to vacuum both the top and bottom regularly. You may have chosen a rug that came with its own cleaning product, but as a general rule, most carpets can be cleaned with either a carpet shampoo or carpet cleaner, although a solution of warm water and dish soap in a bowl or bucket may be sufficient if you need to quickly clean up any stains. If you don't clean your rug professionally, it will start to look shabby and less cozy.If you've run out of professional products to try, it might be time to try some natural cleaning methods. Pay close attention to the manufacturer's recommendations for deep cleaning and use either a carpet shampoo or carpet cleaning machine.

Cleaning a deep pile or shaggy carpet can be done the same way as cleaning a wool carpet, but you can also use dry shampoo instead of wet cleaning.Fortunately, while you should vacuum your carpet twice a week, you only need to thoroughly clean it when it's dirty. Having your wall-to-wall carpet cleaner clean your carpet in your home or even renting a Rug Doctor can be risky business. For any liquid cleaning, always perform a spot test first and specialized cleaning companies must remove persistent stains, which will have the experience and knowledge necessary to solve the problem.Outdoor rugs are usually made with tough materials that are designed to be weather resistant, so you can be pretty sure when you turn a broom or hose on an outdoor rug to clean it. However, along with carpets come stains and dirt, so it's important to know how to clean them.

A very mild solution of dish detergent and warm (not hot) water is second best, but it's a good choice if you need to clean up any stains before they dry.Floor coverings exposed to outdoor shoes, spills and pets on a daily basis should be cleaned at least every two months; for carpets in other areas, deep cleaning is recommended at least twice a year.