Do you have your eye on a luxury rug that you just know will look incredible in your home? Have you been dreaming about the compliments you’ll receive on your décor at your next dinner party? Is this nagging thought snapping you back to reality: “it’s going to be SO hard to take care of.”
Caring for a luxury rug isn’t as difficult as you might think. Relax and read Tufenkian’s guide on how to clean and maintain an area rug at home.
Basic Care
Go through these basic care steps as part of your weekly cleaning routine.
Shaking
If the rug is small enough, take it outside to remove debris that hasn’t fallen into the fibers. Do you have a larger carpet? Ask someone to help you move it outside to shake it out. You can release much of the dirt and grit this way.
Vacuuming
Vacuum the rug to alleviate the buildup of dirt particles. Do you have a beater bar-style vacuum? Avoid vacuuming fringes. Suction-only vacuums lessen the possibility of fringe damage but do not remove soil as thoroughly. Want to get rid of odors? Sprinkle some baking soda on the rug 15 minutes before vacuuming.
Brushing
Do your furry friends leave a mess behind? Brush out any pet hair the vacuum didn’t get. Use a stiff brush in the direction that the fibers lay in your rug.
Cleaning
The best way to clean rugs is to pay attention to care tags and the manufacturer’s recommendations. Who sold you the carpet? Consult that professional for any do's and don’ts. Remember, when it comes to cleaning, it’s all about the material.
Woven & Braided
Woven and braided rugs may be machine washed but always read the label first. Otherwise, put an old blanket underneath or move the rug to a vinyl or concrete floor. Use carpet-cleaning foam, then rinse or vacuum.
Coir, Sisal, Rush, & Grass
Protect your floor with a plastic drop cloth before you clean a natural fiber rug. Use gentle cleaners with some warm water. Need to take care of stains? Scrub the spot with a soft brush dipped in soapy water and rinse. Place a towel over the wet area and blot dry.
Fur, Sheepskin, & Hair-On Hides
Apply unscented talcum powder on fur, sheepskin, and hair-on-hide rugs and let it settle for several hours. Brush through the hair, then shake out the powder. Clean the back with a lukewarm, soapy water cloth and rinse with a clean water cloth.
Hand-Knotted, Antique, & Oriental
Are you thinking about buying a Tufenkian hand-knotted rug? Follow our specific recommendations when cleaning one of our artisan carpets. Wash by hand every three to six years, depending on foot traffic. Do not steam clean—heat strong detergents and spotting chemicals may cause damage.
Pro tip: No matter what material is involved in your area rug carpet cleaning, make sure your rug is thoroughly dry before putting it back in place.
Maintenance
Would you like to keep your rug looking as beautiful as the day you bought it? Follow these tips to preserve its quality over time:
- Clean your rug at least once a year—consider doing this more often if you have pets or high foot traffic
- Spot clean spills as they happen to keep stains from setting in—always follow instructions according to the material
- Ask your family and guests to avoid wearing shoes on the rug to avoid tracking in dirt from outside
- Rotate your carpet once or twice a year—depending on the amount of foot traffic—to even out the wear
- Rearrange your furniture once in a while to break up or eliminate the paths people typically take
- Invest in a rug pad to reduce wear, protect your floor, prevent slippage, and add comfort
Adding these chores to your area rug maintenance list will go a long way in extending the life of your carpet.
How to Clean Area Rugs at Home
Congratulations! Your dream of owning a high-quality rug can now become a reality. You know exactly how to clean an area rug at home and preserve the luxurious look that made you fall in love with it in the first place.
Did you know Tufenkian carpets are naturally stain-resistant because of the Tibetan wool we use? Explore our extremely handmade modern area rugs and wool area rugs today or visit a showroom to work with a trained rug specialist.