Fresh

Area rugs are a great way to cover up the floors in your home. They give you the option to retain hardwood, tile, or laminate, but also add a bit of color, some patterns, and some warmth to your feet where you need it. They can be placed in high traffic areas to take the stress off of the hardwood floors that lie underneath. Over time though, they will accumulate dirt and stains that make them less beautiful. You can get a lot more life out of the area rugs with a proper deep cleaning, so that you don’t have to go out and by a new one whenever they get dingy. It goes without saying that it’s important to vacuum them routinely, but when it comes to a deeper clean here are three techniques you can try:

#1: Old-Fashioned Elbow Grease

The first thing you can try is probably the way your grandmother used to do it. First, remove any dirt and debris by vacuuming the rug thoroughly and shaking it out if it’s not too large to do so. Then get out a scrub brush and bucket with some mild detergent and get to work. It is highly recommended that you wear rubber gloves when you do this, as the combination of the dirt and suds can dry out your skin and do a number on your cuticles. Not so fun for something that is so easily avoided!

Focus on the problem areas first, as you’re likely to reach exhaustion quickly when you’re doing this by hand. Once you get the big and prominent stains out, you can focus your attention on giving the rest of the rug a once-over. Make sure to hang it out to dry prior to bringing it back into your house so it doesn’t get moldy!

#2: A Specialized Carpet Cleaner

If you can afford a carpet cleaner they are probably the easiest way to go. They range in size from small handheld devices for spot treatments to large, vacuum cleaner sized devices that will take care of your bigger carpets. The top of the line models will even be capable of steam cleaning your rugs, making them like new in many situations.

The way that these carpet cleaners work is relatively similar across designs. You fill a reservoir with detergent and warm water, squeeze one button to apply the detergent and scrub brushed, and essentially vacuum away the moisture. You’ll be able to see clearly how much dirt you’re removing from the rug by what collects in the waste vessel. Keep going until it comes up clear!

#3: Take it Outdoors

A third option is to take the rug outdoors and use your hose spigot. If you have an electric pressure washer, all the power to you. You can once again fill the reservoir with detergent and blast away any grime or buildup that may have gathered in your rug’s surface. If you don’t have a pressure washer but would like to get one, you can find some good options at https://www.thebestelectricpressurewasher.com/karcher-reviews/ .

If you don’t have a pressure washer and you don’t plan on getting one, you can still use a similar tactic. Hose down the rug thoroughly and go back to #1. Scrub away with a scrub brush and make that rug shine. Once you’re done, you can hose down the rug to remove the suds quickly and completely. Once all is said and done, drape the rug over a railing in direct sunlight to make sure it dries thoroughly prior to bringing it back into your home.