Simple DIY Tips for Cleaning an Area Rug by Material

Area rugs are a great addition to any home, warming up the floors and adding style to a space. But over time, they get worn down with dirt, debris and scuffing from tired feet. To keep your area rug looking at its best, it needs a little TLC occasionally and a good clean will fluff up the fibres again.

How you clean your area rug, depends on the material it’s made from. Different rugs require unique cleaning methods. Below we’ll explore various area rug types and simple DIY tips to get them clean.

How to Clean an Area Rug by Material?

It’s important you clean your area rug according to its material. If you choose the wrong method, this could damage the fibres of your rug. For specialist rug care, call in your local Adelaide carpet cleaners.

Wool Rugs

Wool rugs are durable and warming underfoot. And they hold the colour of the rug well. Because they are a tough material, they also cling onto dirt very well. The best method for cleaning a wool area rug is;

• Take the rug outside and shake it
• Give it a good vacuum to remove any excess debris
• Mix a cup of laundry detergent in a bucket of cold water
• Lightly dampen a microfiber cloth with soapy water and gently wipe the rug
• Refresh your bucket with clean, cold water
• Dampen a clean microfiber cloth and lightly wipe over the rug again
• Never saturate a wool rug
• Use dry microfiber cloths or bath towels to blot dry

If the rug is small, hang it over a clothes line to air out. Or, set fans up next to the rug and allow air to pass over and dry out the fibres

Cotton Rugs

Cotton is a lightweight fabric and a popular area rug material. It can be easily shaken out and cleansed in a washing machine if the rug is small.

If the cotton rug is large, take it to a laundromat or use the method above for wool rugs to clean it by hand.

Jute Rugs

Jute is a rough fibre made from the stems of a tropical plant. It's used to make twine, ropes and now rugs, giving any space an earthy look. Jute is durable and tough, but it doesn't like moisture which can start to break it down.

Because of this reason, you'll need to use a special dry cleaning kit to sanitise your jute rug. You can also contact your local carpet cleaners for specialist rug cleaning services. To do it yourself, follow this method;

• Take your jute rug outdoors and shake any dust and debris away
• Take the dry-cleaning powder from your kit and sprinkle it onto the rug
• Use a stiff bristled brush to gently brush over the jute fibres
• Vacuum over the rug to pick up any remaining powder and dirt