How to Clean Your Rugs and Carpet Cheat Sheet

Unless you recently cleaned your rugs or had them professionally cleaned, there is probably a lot of dirt and germs lurking in your rugs. So here’s a simple cheat sheet showing how to freshen up all your rugs and carpets.

Small Synthetic Rugs

If the rug is machine-woven, sturdy, and does not have a rubber backing, you should be able to machine wash the rug on a gentle cycle and hang it to dry.

Small Natural Rug (wool or cotton)

Handwash colorfast rugs using a mild detergent and soft brush or sponge. Rinse the rug with water mixed with white vinegar to remove the soap residue. Roll the rug in a clean thick towel to absorb excess water, then hang to dry.

Larger Area Rug

Larger area rugs should be professionally cleaned every one or two years. In between those cleanings, the rug should be vacuumed regularly, and spills and mishaps should be spot cleaned as soon as they happen.
For colorfast rugs, dip a sponge in warm water and, using as little liquid as possible, blot dampened area with a clean, dry cloth (preferably white cotton), blot until the stain has lifted. For non-colorfast rust rugs, use a mixture of 1 part cold water to 3 parts white vinegar, blot until stain lifts, then sprinkle with cornstarch and vacuum 24 hours later.

Remember, wool rugs are exceptionally good at holding and hiding dirt, and that debris can damage the structure of the rug over time. So be sure to save these tips so you can freshen up all your rugs between professional cleaning.