Rug Cleaning (A Complete Guide to Daily Care)

As the German saying goes, if your windows are cloudy, everything seems gray. Accordingly, cleanliness is highly valued and is a measure of the appropriate lifestyle. As a floor covering, ruging has made it to the center of social interaction and continues to enjoy great popularity. In the center of the living room ambience, the rug is the highlight and the eye-catcher of many couch sets, even if the flooring is parquet, laminate or another material. But how do I actually clean a rug?

In addition, rugs are divided into bouclé

Furthermore, depending on their surface structure, i.e. the arrangement of the cut and loop, rugs are divided into bouclé, velour and loop pile. Depending on the fiber length, the individual rug types can be further divided into short-pile and long-pile rugs.

While short-pile rugs with a fiber length of less than 1.5 cm can be cleaned with a brush attachment and thus absorb adhering dirt particles and lint without hesitation, loop rugs and long-pile rugs should only be vacuumed with the smooth nozzle attachment .

Cleaning options for deep-cleaning a rug

There are basically three cleaning methods for a rug: basic cleaning, intensive cleaning and stain treatment. Basically, a distinction must be made between daily or weekly cleaning and cleaning that is carried out once a year.

The way a rug is treated has a significant influence on its condition, so material compatibility and suitability are of primary importance when using a rug. However, let's start with what every rug needs at least once a week.

Deep cleaning and weekly care of the rug

Vacuuming is part of the daily or weekly cleaning of a rug. The care instructions on the underside of the rug should be observed.

The distinction between the manufacturing process and surface structure places the use or non-use of a brush attachment at the center of the cleaning process. First, a distinction must be made between hand-knotted, woven and machine-made rugs.

Every rug needs an intensive clean once a year

rugs in high-traffic areas, such as hallways or children's rooms, require intensive cleaning once a year to maintain their visual appeal and attractiveness as home accessories. There are three basic methods for cleaning and caring for rugs: wet cleaning, steam cleaning and dry cleaning. Some types of rug can also be cleaned in the washing machine, which is particularly true for very light and thin rugs. Follow the manufacturer's care instructions.

For wet cleaning, a suitable rug foam is needed,

which can fully develop its cleaning power when brushed in. Material compatibility should be tested in an inconspicuous place beforehand. After the cleaning foam has dried, it is usually sucked out of the fabric again. In contrast to this, a wet vacuum is a spray extraction device, a special type of vacuum cleaner that has an additional spray nozzle. By adding a cleaning concentrate, the rug is cleaned down to the pores and should not be walked on during the drying time. In addition, natural hair rugs such as coconut, goat hair or sisal should not use this cleaning option. The manufacturer's instructions should be observed.

A stain and now what? Quick action is now required!

We have all encountered those little monsters of stains that can strike fear into the hearts of anyone who owns a light-colored rug. Good advice is now expensive and should be taken into account immediately and quickly. If it is a liquid that has been spilled, it should first be quickly absorbed with an absorbent material, e.g. a clean cloth, paper towel, or similar. Carefully vacuum up any loose dirt.

When removing stains, it is important to bear in mind that some cleaning agents and stain removers tend to damage the rug. However, the type of dirt should first be defined in more detail to determine whether the stain contains proteins, fats or other organic and inorganic substances. While hydrophobic fats and oils can be treated with surfactants or alkaline cleaners, it is advisable to use light acids, especially for calciferous stains.

Cleaners with enzymes are generally used to remove food residues that consist of several basic substances. However, to remove stains quickly, you should first use only lukewarm water to prevent the stain from spreading too much. To do this, the stain should be dabbed from the edge inwards with a damp cloth. Please never rub or scrub the rug.