Area Rug General Care & Maintenance Guide

Area Rug General Care Guide

Vacuuming:
Most of today’s vacuums are designed for high-powered suction on hard surfaces and wall-to-wall carpets. Because of this, they are often too aggressive for use on rugs in a normal setting. Upright or canister vacuums that don’t include a beater bar are the best choice, but a standard vacuum on a low-power setting will work.

• If you don’t have a canister vacuum, use either your vacuum’s handheld attachment (if it has one), or choose the lowest power setting available.
• If you are not using a handheld attachment, and your vacuum has a beater bar (brush), remove or raise it as high as possible and vacuum carefully. This is extremely important as the brush can pull out fibers from the rug’s backing and/or cause fuzzing on the surface.
• After vacuuming, check the canister or bag for rug fibers. While some shedding is normal for rugs, a large number of fibers filling your canister is an indication that the vacuum is too aggressive. Adjust your settings accordingly.
• Avoid vacuuming the fringe, tassels, or bound edges on your rugs. This will help prevent fraying and other damage.
• Wool in particular hides a large amount of dirt before it begins to show on the rug’s surface. Vacuum twice, once from north to south and again from east to west, to remove as much dirt as possible.

Spot cleaning:

• Spills should be blotted immediately using a clean white cloth. Do not rub. Allowing a spill to set will make the stain more difficult to remove later, and rubbing can force the stain deeper into the fibers of the rug.
• Always test the colorfastness of the surface to be cleaned, and the compatibility with the cleaning solution, by applying a small quantity of the product to an inconspicuous area.
• Our Spot Out Premium Spotter can be used on your area rugs. Just follow the included directions.
• After removing loose or dry soil, and blotting up wet stains with a clean cloth or sponge, apply Spot Out Premium to the soiled area.
• Allow Spot Out Premium to remain in the area for 1 to 5 minutes to penetrate into the fibers and loosen the soil.
• Blot excess product from the surface using a clean cloth or sponge.
• Allow the area to dry for 15 to 30 minutes.
• For stubborn stains, it may be necessary to repeat the cleaning process, and/or softly brush the area during application.

Apart from regular home upkeep, we strongly recommend professional cleaning. To keep your rugs looking vibrant, they should be professionally cleaned at least once a year.

Cleaning by rug type

Tufted/Hooked

• After removing loose or dry soil and blotting up wet stains with a clean cloth or sponge, apply Spot Out Premium to the soiled area.
• Allow Spot Out Premium to remain on the area for 1 to 5 minutes to penetrate into the fibers and loosen the soil.
• Blot excess product from the surface using a clean cloth or sponge.
• Allow the area to dry for 15 to 30 minutes.
• For stubborn stains, it may be necessary to repeat the cleaning process, and/or softly brush the area during application.

Important note: Tufted/Hooked Viscose rugs should be vacuumed using a suction only attachment. Vacuum with the grain (run your hand along the surface of the rug to determine what direction the fibers run in). You may also use an electric carpet sweeper. Spills are best cleaned using an acetic or citric acid rinse, instead of water, to lessen the possibility of discoloration.

Indoor/outdoor
Synthetic rugs designed for outdoor use may either be cleaned indoors using the general methods listed above, or they may be taken outdoors.

• Make sure to read the label on the back of your rug to ensure it is suitable for outdoor use! Not all synthetics are made for this purpose.
• Instructions for indoor/outdoor rugs: mix a small amount of clear, mild, non-bleaching dish soap with water. Use this to clean the entire rug surface and rinse with a garden hose.
• Allow both sides of the rug time to fully dry outdoors, in direct sunlight.

Natural Fibers

• It is common for loose fibers to break down and pool underneath the rug surface. In addition to regular surface vacuuming, clean the floor under the rug.
• Sprouting is also common. “Sprouting” refers to loose rug fibers that poke up out of the rug surface. Do not pull these; snip them down to the surface with a sharp set of scissors.
• Starting from the outer edge of a spill, blot gently toward the center using a clean white cloth.
• After removing loose or dry soil and blotting up wet stains with a clean cloth or sponge, apply Spot Out Premium to the soiled area.
• Allow Spot Out Premium to remain on the area for 1 to 5 minutes to penetrate into the fibers and loosen the soil.
• Blot excess product from the surface using a clean cloth or sponge.
• Allow the area to dry for 15 to 30 minutes.
• For stubborn stains, it may be necessary to repeat the cleaning process, and/or softly brush the area during application.
• Seek the assistance of a professional rug cleaner for any difficult-to-remove stains.

Shag rugs

• When first removed from the packaging, shag rugs may have a flattened or matted appearance. Simply fluff the surface by hand in order to remedy this.
• Due to the higher pile in comparison to other rug types, a high amount of shedding is normal and expected. This is especially true for Wool Shag items.
• Prior to vacuuming, turn the rug face down and gently shake it out to dislodge any dirt that may have gotten trapped deep within the fibers.
• Using a suction-only attachment, vacuum in between individual rows on your rug.

Leather/Cowhide

• The best and easiest method to clean leather or cowhide rugs is to shake them out. You may also use an electric carpet sweeper.
• Avoid using any chemical solvents on leather or cowhide. This will cause the material to break down and stain further.
• Lightly blot any spills using a clean white cloth.

As always, if you’re in or around the Lexington, KY area, we would love to be your professional rug cleaning service. After all, it pays to call a pro!

Bluegrass Company & Hardwood Refinishing Company
https://www.google.com/maps?cid=1536571363059009812
3323 Wood Valley Ct, Lexington, KY 40502
(859) 888-1515
https://bluegrasscleaning.com/