Tried and tested rug cleaning tips to try out at home

Do you want to give your carpet a fresh lease of life? There are times when cleaning a carpet lightly does not prove sufficient. In those cases you need to deep clean your décor item. But where should one start from while deep cleaning a rug? This is the obvious roadblock that people stuck upon. Ordinary people are not obviously trained or skilled in laundering carpets and rugs. These are heavy items that require special skills and techniques for cleaning.

Here are some tips that will help yielding satisfactory result from your effort.

  • First take the carpet outdoors and shake it well to remove as much of the loose dust and debris as possible. Alternatively you can vacuum it too instead of shaking manually.
  • Get a suitable carpet shampoo that is ideal for the kind of rug you have. Apply the shampoo as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Before applying any cleanser or shampoo to any carpet or rug you should always perform a patch test. This patch test ensures whether the product is safe for the particular item. Mix up the solution and apply a very little quantity of it to an inconspicuous area of the carpet. Give it some time, say about 10 minutes. If there is no colour draining or discolouration then you know the product is safe to use to clean the given carpet or rug.
  • Cleaning a carpet or rug is much easier when you do it outdoors. But if the day is cloudy or gloomy then it is always better to shift indoors. Clean the item in the bathtub and that saves you from creating a mess. Moreover, as experts working in rug cleaning services point out, it also prevents transfer of dye from the carpet to your floor.
  • Let the carpet dry out completely in shady outdoors away from the direct sun. Alternatively you can have it completely air dried in a well-ventilated room.
  • If the fabric can withstand you may make use of a fabric spray to keep the décor item smell good.

Cleaning a wool rug

Wool rugs are popular over the ages. The best things about the range of décor items are it easily lasts long and can also hold its colours well. But whenever you are cleaning a woollen carpet or rug you must remember that it requires a different approach to cleaning.  

  • First you should shake out the rug well or vacuum it properly. Once this step is over you move on to the next step.
  • Prepare a suitable cleaning solution by mixing a bucket of cold water with a cap-full of any gentle, non bio laundry detergent. Alternatively it is okay to make use of a carpet shampoo that is meant specifically for woollen fabrics. To be on the safer side with the cleaner you must perform the patch test discussed above.
  • Now it is time for some real action. Take a white microfiber cloth and dampen it. Dab the carpet in a gentle manner with it while working in the direction if the material. For heavily soiled zones you must pay special attention obviously. You may have to re-dampen the microfiber cloth again if necessary but make sure not to get the carpet wet. Cleaning a wool rug is little tricky in a way. It is better not to over-saturate it to make it plush and full.
  • In the next step you have to refill the bucket but this time with plain water. Take a fresh piece of white cloth and repeat the step mentioned above.
  • Professionals dealing in professional rug cleaning Near Me in London have something to suggest in this context. They suggest once the cleaning is over you should blot the carpet with a dry white microfiber cloth or a simple coloured towel. The blotting is necessary to remove as much moisture from the carpet as possible.
  • The rug must be allowed to air dry completely before you press it to service again. To facilitate quicker air drying you may hang it up in the shade or may leave the fan on along with the doors and the windows to the room widely open.

This way you can also wash cotton rugs thoroughly.

Cleaning a shag, fluffy or deep pile rug

The method of cleaning a shaggy rug is more or less similar to a woollen one. But here you can use a dry shampoo which cancels out the cold water and the detergent if you want.

  • Sprinkle the dry shampoo on to the rug.
  • Make use of a soft and clean piece of cloth to work the shampoo into the fibres.
  • Let the dry shampoo sit on the fabric for at least a couple of hours. Then it is time to thoroughly vacuum it to let go of all the dirt, debris, microbes and contaminants.

Cleaning a jute rug

Jute rugs are yet another popular variety of rugs that is worth mentioning. Jute is a natural fibre and thus rugs made of it also look natural. This range of rugs goes pretty well with both wooden floors and carpets that have earthy tone. The problem lies elsewhere with jute rugs; these rugs do not respond well to water. Thus you do not have any better choice than using the same dry shampoo discussed above to clean a jute rug. However London rug cleaning experts suggest alternatively you can dry clean it.

Cleaning sheepskin rugs

If you can master the skills of cleaning sheepskin rugs then you can definitely save a fortune in dry cleaning. Sheepskin or cowhide rugs require very specific methods of cleaning. Otherwise the item may get shrink or damaged. If the item is not cleaned in the right way or technique then that takes a toll on its fibres.

  • Take cold water and fill up the bath with it. Avoid warm or hot water in cleaning sheepskin rugs. The range of rugs gets easily damaged in warm or hot water.
  • Mix a detergent that is meant for cleaning sheepskin items. Do not use regular wool detergents for this type of cleaning.
  • Place the cowhide or sheepskin rug in the bath and swill it around for at least 10 to 15 minutes. This loosens up the dirt.
  • You can squeeze and rinse it as many times as you want to get rid of the detergent.
  • Pat it dry using a clean towel. Remove as much water from it as possible. Then roll it up and give it a final squeeze to wring out the last drops of moisture.
  • Trained and skilled experts at the Vip Carpet Cleaning London suggest let it air dry in a shade. It must be allowed to dry up completely in a dry, shady place away from direct sun and heat.

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