How to Clean Rugs and Carpets Without Damaging Them

Cleaning rugs and carpets can be a tricky task, especially if you don't want to damage them. If your rug is small enough, you can put it in the washing machine on a cold setting on a 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 because you'll have to take it outside to wash and dry it.

Start by shaking the carpet outside to remove excess dirt. Then, treat any stains with your favorite pretreatment or dish soap. If you're using a washing machine, put the rug in with a couple of towels and add a mild laundry detergent. Choose a delicate, cold cycle and start the machine.

For best results, dry the carpet outdoors. Most carpets can be washed, even those with a rubber backing. However, when you wash any type of carpet, make sure to use cold water since it is difficult to determine how many different materials the carpet actually consists of. Always dry outdoors or at a very low temperature.

If you can, pass them through a glass without heating them at all. The things that usually destroy a carpet are hot water, bleach, and heat. Wash a carpet in the washing machine on a gentle cycle with cold water and your usual detergent. Add bleach, if you prefer, using only oxygen-based bleach for rubber-backed carpets. 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.

You may know how to wash a rug in the washing machine, but if the care label doesn't recommend it, it's important to hand wash it properly. Learn how often you should clean bathroom carpets, as well as how to clean bathroom rugs of different types. We'll show you how to deep clean your carpet without using a machine so it doesn't get damaged. 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. Now that you've established that your carpet is machine washable, we'll show you the 5-step method for machine washing.

While we've looked at how to clean synthetic fibers instead of natural fibers, there are a few more types of carpets to consider. Some people prefer this because they feel they can get a deeper and more deliberate clean than letting their washing machine do it for them. Vacuuming regularly is important but take your rug or carpet to the dry cleaner when you notice stains or feel that the carpet needs a thorough cleaning. On days when you can't hand wash or clean stains from anything else, remember that you have a machine that saves you a lot of time in your house.