Rug Cleaning Supply Checklist
- Broom ( To Beat Out The Area Rug )
- Floor Squeegees
- Clean White Towel
- Professional Carpet Shampoo ( Bissell ) or Mild Dishwashing Soap
- Vacuum
- Hose
- Five Gallon Bucket ( For Area Rug Cleaning Solution )
- Tarp
- Fan
- Large Sponges
If you love your rug and hate to see dirt, grime or unsightly stains on it, then this how-to-clean an area carpet tutorial is just for you!
In this D.Y.I. area rug cleaning guide, you will quickly learn how to identify fabrics, do a colour-fast test, wash, rinse and dry the rug. A professional area rug cleaning in Vancouver can be costly, so hopefully, these tips and tricks can save you a few dollars in between a pro carpet cleaning service. See our article on carpet cleaning services for more tips!
Alternatively, if you are looking for a more thorough, professional carpet cleaning near me, and you live in Surrey, Vancouver or the surrounding areas, please don’t hesitate to call PetSafe Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning for the best area rug cleaning service in Vancouver. Prices and methods can vary between Surrey Carpet Cleaning Companies, so make sure to do your due diligence and compare quotes. Professional area rug cleaning prices can range from $30-$50 for a simple synthetic carpet to hundreds of dollars for a natural fibre Persian or Oriental rug.
Now that you’ve decided to clean your favourite rug, the first step is to pick the best place to wash it. I recommend against cleaning the carpet on hardwood floors or indoors to prevent water damage. Ideally, clean the rug outside on a sunny day over a tarp on a clean-swept driveway. Washing the area rug outdoors will allow you to rinse it out much better. If no outdoor option is available, clean the area carpet indoors on a tarp.
The next step to cleaning your area rug carpet is to shake and beat out as much loose debris and dirt as you can. If the rug is too large to shake out by yourself, ask someone to help you drape the rug over a railing or chairs and use a broom or something similar to hit the carpet all over to loosen as much dirt as possible. Don’t forget to shake the area carpet pad out too.
If the area rug is full of pet hair, use a lint brush or rubber brush to remove as much of it as possible.
After shaking out the loose dirt and dust, vacuum the rug to remove the last of the debris before washing.
Next, mix your rug cleaning solution. I recommend using professional area rug cleaning shampoo like Bissell Carpet Cleaning Solution to keep things simple. Alternatively, you can make a recipe yourself by using two or three teaspoons of mild dish detergent into a five-gallon bucket of warm water. Please note that hot water may cause fading or the area rug to shrink.
Next, let’s identify the fabric and do a colour-fast test to determine the most effective method of cleaning the rug without damaging it. To do this, start by turning the area rug over and checking if there is a tag with specific cleaning instructions. If there is a list of instructions, follow those. Otherwise, it’s time to do a colour-fast test to ensure we don’t ruin the rug by having the colours bleed into one another.
Testing an area rug for colourfastness is crucial to avoid damage. So before starting any rug cleaning, dab your professional carpet cleaning solution or soapy mixture onto a clean, white towel. Then rub the towel onto a small corner of the rug to see if any colour transfers on the towel. Then wait for the test spot to dry to ensure the colour has not faded or bled.
After the rug has been vacuumed and colour-fast tested, it’s time to begin scrubbing the carpet.
To begin the scrubbing process, apply your soapy solution onto your clean white rag or sponge. Be sure not to over-wet the carpet and use only as much of the soap mix as needed. Then starting in one corner of the rug, use light pressure to wash the area rug. Work in small areas at a time to be sure no spots get missed. Be sure to rinse out the cloth or sponge regularly to avoid transferring dirt to other parts of the area carpet.
Next, it’s time to rinse out the area rug. It’s crucial to remove as much of the soapy solution as possible because any soap left in the carpet will attract more dirt and grime due to leaving a sticky residue.
Hopefully, you can rinse the area rug outside for best results and avoid water damage inside your home. If you cannot rinse it outdoors, dip a clean sponge in crystal clear water and rinse slowly in sections blotting away as much excess water as possible.
If you can rinse the area rug outside, get your hose and squeegees ready! By now, the area rug should be on a tarp. Now take the hose and rinse until ALL the soapy water is gone. After rinsing, get rid of as much excess water as possible. To do this, grab your floor squeegee and use it to push away as much of the clean excess water as possible. Always squeegee in the direction of the nap.
Now that your favourite area rug is clean and rinsed, it’s time to dry it. To do this, hang or drape it over a balcony or railing. If a balcony or rail is not available, lay the rug flat, face up and place it under a couple of chairs or risers to allow for air circulation under the area rug. A portable fan will help speed up the process as well. Also, be sure to turn the rug occasionally to promote even drying.
After the rug is dried, lay it down in its usual place and adjust the matted fibres by going over it with a vacuum or soft-bristled brush.
Area rugs add personality and warmth to any space. The right rug will tie the room together, but a dirty carpet can throw off the whole decor, so be sure to keep your area rugs clean to keep them looking their best!
If you are unsure or unable to clean the area rug yourself and require a professional area rug cleaning service in the Vancouver or Surrey area, don’t hesitate to call PetSafe Area Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services.
