How to Clean an Area Rug: Expert Tips from Noël Home

An area rug can bring a room to life. It may serve as a neutral canvas that anchors a stunning color palette or it might be the accent piece that offers the right spark of energy to a monochrome space.

Regardless of the role it plays in a room, an area rug will likely experience plenty of foot traffic, which can cause it to appear dingy and dirty. We’ve got some great tips on keeping these important pieces looking their best.

First and foremost, read the tag. If your rug is very delicate or an antique, you should have it cleaned by an expert. If not, there’s no reason you can’t take on this project yourself.

Vacuum Regularly

A weekly cleaning with a vacuum will go a long way in keeping your rug free of typical household dirt, dust and debris. Use a handheld attachment or a canister vacuum with the beater turned off. A high-powered vacuum can pull at the fibers, causing damage and fuzz. The handheld attachment offers the best protection against damaging your rug. Avoid vacuuming over sewn edges and fringe. This can damage and loosen thread on the edges and fray your fringe.

Sweep, Brush and Beat a Sturdy Rug

Sometimes, the vacuum can miss pet hair. On short pile rugs, try a carpet brush. A carpet rake will work better for a longer pile rug. If it’s small enough, light enough and study enough, take your rug outside and shake it. Hang it over a structure like a railing and beat it with a broom or rug beater.

Deep Cleaning

The instructions for cleaning spots, stains and odors varies by material, so make sure to find out exactly what your rug is made of before attempting to do any deeper cleaning.

Before you tackle the entire rug, be sure your cleaner doesn’t cause colors to run. Find a small corner and test the cleaning solution. If it doesn’t bleed, you can proceed.

No matter what material your rug is made of, there are a few rules you’ll want to follow. Always clean spills as soon as possible. It’s much harder to clean a set-in stain. Make sure to gently blot with a clean white cloth, rather than vigorously rub a spill, which can press it deeper into the fibers. Be sure to remove all residual cleaner with clean water and then dry the rug with clean, white towels.