How to Clean an Area Rug at Home: Step-by-Step Tips

Stains on your favorite rug? Sounds like a nightmare! Be it your extensive area rug or the small runner, they warm up your floors along with bringing a sense of personality, color, and texture. Not to forget how they anchor everything together! But with all that spill (here and there), dust, and foot traffic, your rugs need a good clean from time and again.  

And while it’s not practical and even economically feasible to get your rug cleaned by professionals regularly, simple cleaning hacks at home would do good as well. And if you’re wondering how to clean a rug without damaging it, you’re in the right place! Let’s walk through cleaning an area rug step-by-step in the following guide. Nothing fancy, no extra tools, just simple cleaning hacks & tips on how to clean a rug at home.

How to Clean an Area Rug

Before proceeding with how to clean an area rug, it’s essential to understand the “why” behind it. Why do your rugs need regular cleaning? 

First things first, a clean rug looks better! Not only does regular cleaning add to its longevity, but it also ensures that your rug is healthier for you and your family. Moreover, dust particles, food crumbs, and even bacteria tend to hide in the threads of rugs. Regular cleaning will remove them, keeping your area rugs smelling good! All in all, it will save you a lot of trouble down the road.

Now the question is how to clean an area rug– Simple vacuuming every week would do wonders. However, it is essential to get a deeper cleaning of your rugs every now and then. And before you ask, yes, it can be done at home! 

How to Clean a Rug at Home

Before diving deep into the steps, let’s round up a few simple tools you will require for cleaning your rugs at home.

Supplies You’ll Need To Clean a Rug At Home

1. A vacuum cleaner (with a carpet brush if you have one)
2. Mild liquid dish soap or rug shampoo
3. A bucket of lukewarm water
4. Soft-bristle brush or sponge
5. Clean, dry towels
6. Gloves, especially if your rug’s been through a lot

Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning a Rug

Now let’s get to the action part! Here’s how to clean a rug at home from start to finish.

Step 1: Shake It Out

Yes, your rugs need a good shake! Take them out and shake them to ward off the dust, dirt, and food crumbs. If it’s too large, you can skip the part and stick with vacuuming.

Step 2: Vacuum Both Sides

It’s essential to vacuum your rug front & back. Since the former traps it, the latter hides it. You can vacuum the front as it is, and then flip the rug to vacuum the back.  It will get rid of the debris that can damage your rug as well as your floor. It will also help with warding off any odor. 

Step 3: Test for Color Bleeding

We know how you love those bright as sunshine Gengar rugs! You definitely won’t want to lose their colors. Hence, it’s essential to do a cleaning mix patch test of your rugs to ensure the colors don’t bleed or fade out!