Keep your favorite area rugs looking fresh and vibrant. This essential guide walks you through the best practices to effectively clean area rugs, with special attention on how to clean a wool area rug to ensure its longevity.

Introduction

A rug does more than just cover the floor, it makes a room feel bigger, adds warmth, and gives your Brooklyn home or apartment personality. These decorative things have to deal with a lot, like people walking on them every day and spills that happen by accident. Over time, dirt, dust, and allergens get deep into the fibers, making them less colorful and rougher. It's good to vacuum area rugs regularly, but it's also crucial to know how to deep clean them properly to keep them looking good and your home clean. This guide gets you through all the information you need to do this job well.

What Are The Best Ways To Maintain My Area Rugs?

Cleaning your rugs regularly is the best way to keep them looking great. A regular cleaning schedule keeps dirt from getting deep and keeps the fibers strong. The following are the best ways to protect your investment and keep your home clean:

Vacuum Often: You should vacuum high-traffic rugs several times a week, and low-traffic rugs at least once a week. Always vacuum in the same direction as the rug's pile.
Set a No Shoes Policy: If you ask family and friends to take off their shoes before they come in, that will reduce a lot of dirt and debris on your rugs.
Rotate Your Rug: To keep your area rug from fading or matting faster in one spot than another, turn it 180 degrees every 6 to 12 months.

How To Clean Area Rugs At Home

You can clean a general area rug that isn't made of wool every once in a while to make it look new again. Always check the manufacturer's tag first to see what cleaning codes they have. Following is a plan that will help you get rid of dirt without hurting the fibers.

Shake or Beat It Out: Put the rug outside on a railing or clothesline. Use the handle of a broom to beat it to get rid of dry soil that is stuck deep down.
Colorfastness Test: To see if the color will fade or not, use a white cloth soaked in your cleaning solution to dab a hidden corner of the rug.
Gentle Cleaner: Mix a little bit of mild dish soap with cool water to make a gentle cleaner. Use a sponge or soft brush to work the solution into the fibers in a circular motion, focusing on the dirty areas.

How to Clean a Wool Area Rug in Brooklyn

People like wool rugs because they last a long time and don't get dirty easily, but you have to be careful with them. You need to know how to clean your wool area rug properly to keep it from getting damaged. Strong chemicals, heat, and movement can easily hurt wool fibers. If you don't use the right method, your fabric could feel, shrink, or lose its texture.

Avoid Excessive Water: Wool absorbs a lot of water and takes a long time to dry, so don't use too much water.
Blot, Don't Scrub: If something spills, use a clean, dry cloth to blot it right away. Scrubbing can make the spill worse and hurt the wool fibers.
Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Always use a cleaner that is safe for wool and has a balanced pH level. Bleach, vinegar, and alkaline cleaners can remove the oils from wool and fade its color.

When to Call a Professional Cleaner

You can clean your area rug yourself, but sometimes you need to hire someone to do it safely and correctly. Professional cleaners know how to clean up really dirty rugs and handle delicate fibers. They can help with issues that are hard to handle at home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How often should I clean area rugs thoroughly?

A deep cleaning should be done in most homes every 12 to 18 months. You might need to clean area rugs every 6 to 12 months if you have kids or pets.

Q2: Can I use a carpet cleaner on my rugs?

You can use it on some synthetic rugs, but it's usually too harsh. Always read the rug’s care label first.

Q3: Why did my wool rug smell worse after I cleaned it?

This usually means that the rug didn't dry fast enough, which let mildew grow inside the thick fibers.

Q4: Is it okay to clean area rugs outside?

Yes, the best way to get rid of dust and let things dry is to clean outside. Avoid the rug from getting too much direct sunlight for too long, the colors can fade.

Q5: What do most people do wrong when they clean their own rugs?

People use too much soap and water that can shrink, mold, and leave a sticky residue that attracts more dirt if they get too wet.

Treat Your Valuable Rugs the Right Way

If your DIY isn't enough or your wool or antique rug is too delicate for you to handle, it's time to call in the pros. Professionals know that your rugs are more than just things to walk on, they are a part of who you are.

Don't guess and risk damaging your favorite rugs. A and B Carpet Cleaners can give your Brooklyn home a deep, professional clean that will protect your investment and make it look better. Contact us today for a free consultation and find out how much better things can be with our help.