How to Clean Area Rugs to Give Them a Fresh Start (Because They Get Gross Fast) (2024)

• Working Time:1 hour
• Total Time:1 day
• Skill Level:Beginner
• Yield:Clean rug

Take a moment to test any cleaning products you plan to use on a small, inconspicuous spot. Apply it with a clean white cloth, and scrub to ensure the colors don't run or bleed.

How to Clean an Area Rug With Carpet Cleaner

1. Vacuum the Rug (On Both Sides, if Possible)

   Give the area rug a thorough vacuum to remove trapped dirt, then flip it over so you can access the dirt that's embedded deeper into the rug.

2. Give Your Rug a Good Shake

   Take smaller area rugs outside for a really good shake. (Consider wearing a mask while you do it to avoid breathing in all that dust and dirt.) You can also hang the rug up and use a clean broom or a rug beater to get even more dirt out.

3. Start the Washing Process

   If your area rug passed the spot test, clean it following the manufacturer's directions. That could be using the washing machine on a gentle cycle (put the rug inside a mesh bag or pillowcase to help protect it) or using a special carpet cleaner or diluted liquid dish soap to gently clean the rug with a clean cloth or sponge.

   For rugs that aren't colorfast, stick with water-free cleaning methods as much as possible. Try applying baking soda, dry carpet cleaning granules, or cornstarch to the rug, letting it sit, then vacuuming the rug.

   If you can't bring the area rug outside to clean it, place plastic sheeting or another waterproof barrier between the rug and the flooring to avoid damaging the floor beneath it.

4. Rinse Away the Dirt and Grime

   For colorfast rugs, use water with a small amount of white vinegar to rinse away any remaining cleaning products and dirt—but try to minimize the amount of water left in the rug.

5. Speed the Drying Process

   Clean your area rugs on a breezy, sunny day. Place them outside on a drying rack or drape them over a railing to help speed drying. If you're washing your area rug indoors, blot away excess moisture with white towels and run fans over the surface to help it dry faster.

Removing Common Stains from Area Rugs

Area rugs see a lot of traffic, and with traffic comes stains. The most crucial element here is time; you want to get stains off your rug as quickly as possible, so act fast when they happen. These are some of the most common stains and how to remove them from your area rug.

• Coffee. To remove coffee or tea stains, combine one-quarter teaspoon of white vinegar, one teaspoon of mild liquid dish detergent, and one quart of warm water. Apply the mixture to the stain, rinse, and blot dry. Repeat as necessary until the stain lifts.
  
• Food. Use a dry solvent spot carpet cleaner for fat-based food stains (butter, margarine, gravy, or oils). Be sure to check your manufacturer's cleaning instructions before applying any store-bought carpet cleaners to ensure they are safe for your rug.
  
• Tomato sauce. Blot the stain with a sponge dampened with tepid water. Next, mix one-quarter teaspoon of white vinegar, one teaspoon of mild liquid dish detergent, and one quart of warm water. Dab the detergent mixture on the spot. As an alternative, you can use a citrus-oxygen cleaner. Rinse with a solution of one part white vinegar and two parts water, then blot dry.
  
• Wine and soft drinks. Mix one-quarter teaspoon of white vinegar, one teaspoon of liquid dish detergent, and one quart of warm water in a medium-sized bowl. Apply mixture to the stain, rinse with tepid water, and blot dry.
  
• Gum. First, remove as much of the gum as you can. Then, apply a plastic baggie of ice cubes to the stain to harden the gum. Once the gum has hardened, scrape it off with a spoon or a dull knife, then vacuum. If the stain remains, try a dry-solvent cleaner.
  
• Wax. Like with the gum treatment, scrape the excess wax off, apply a baggie full of ice to harden the stain, then scrape. After that, dampen a cotton ball or clean white cloth with rubbing alcohol and blot the area to remove any remaining wax residue.
  
• Paint. For latex or acrylic-based paint, spot clean with one-quarter teaspoon of white vinegar, one teaspoon of liquid dish detergent, and one quart of warm water. If color residue remains, blot with a cotton ball or white cloth dipped in rubbing alcohol. For oil-based paint, apply odorless mineral spirits to a sponge and blot the stain. Be careful not to soak the solution through to the rug's backing.
  
• Human waste. Apply the detergent solution (one-quarter teaspoon white vinegar, one teaspoon liquid dish soap, one quart of warm water) or a citrus-oxygen cleaner to the stain. Rinse thoroughly with tepid water and blot dry.