Rug cleaning can be a difficult task to undertake. Often when a stain occurs on a rug, it is easy to just pick it up and deal with it. This can lead to unwanted permanent damage that can significantly increase the cost of replacing a rug. Here are some tips that you can use to make rug cleaning a little easier.
The first thing you need to do is determine what type of rug you have. If you have an area rug, you will have to clean it differently than if you have a shaggy area rug. Area rugs can be difficult to clean properly because they have cutouts that allow dirt and debris to enter underneath them and stay there forever. If possible, you should attempt to clean the rug from top to bottom using a machine or a brush.
If your rug is a shaggy area rug then you have a few different options for how to clean it. You can either take a carpet cleaner, or upholstery shampoo that you can buy at any hardware store. Use these products on the area that needs to be cleaned in order to get the stain out. Then simply follow the directions on the package to do a second rinse.
Another option you have when it comes to rugs is using hot water and a carpet shampooer. The process is simple. All you need to do is get the water hose and spray it over the dirty area on the rug. After you have done this wait about five minutes and then run a damp cloth over the rug in order to remove the excess water.
If you have stains such as ink or food colors in a rug then you will need to treat the rug in order to remove these stains. Most upholstery shampoos contain a solution that helps to lift the dirt and stain from the fibers. Once you have finished using the shampoo you will want to make sure you thoroughly rinse the area rug in hot water. This process will help lift the dirt from the fibers and make them easier to clean. Using the brush or upholstery attachment, you will be able to easily remove any remaining stains from the rug.
If your rug appears to have developed holes in the area rug then this is an indication that the carpet is suffering from deep cleaning. A deep cleaning process like this one will require a truck mounted unit. This type of cleaning machine is able to extract a lot of the water from a carpet in a short period of time. Once you have completed the extraction, you should place the rug in an area that is dry and then allow it to dry. Once the rug is dry, you can apply a finishing product to protect it from any future spills and stains.