Area rugs on hardwood floors bring beauty, warmth, and texture to your living space. Colorful and attractive area rugs enhance the aesthetical feel of the space, making it more inviting. To maintain its beauty and look, you need to clean the area rugs with the right material and proper technique. How to clean area rugs on hardwood floors?
Cleaning an area rug on a hardwood floor or any type of surface is not a bit complex. You just need to know about the cleaning agent and the best ways. In this guide, you will get to know make your area rug look as fresh and new as it was.
Table of Contents
Why is it Necessary to have Area Rugs on Hardwood Floors
Area rugs are available in a variety of colors, textures, and patterns to make your space more welcoming and warm. The addition of area rugs defines the specific area in the room and improves the overall aesthetics of the space.
It is believed that area rugs are known to reduce noise, suitable for heavy traffic areas. They have better noise reduction efficiency and dampen the sound more effectively.
Besides comfort and a soft surface underfoot, area rugs are designed to protect the floor surface from falling heavy objects, wear or tear, or harsh scratches. Rugs provide safety to your floor and are versatile enough to allow moving anywhere.
How to Clean Area Rugs on Hardwood Floors
Cleaning an area rug is a basic DIY task that does not require any professional help. Area rugs require care and maintenance to improve their life. It is believed that if you rotate the area rug for at least a year you can save it from wear out.
Here, I‘ve shared some basic methods to help you make your area rug feel new and attractive.
Vacuum
Regular vacuuming is the most crucial step to make your area rug free of dust or debris. Whether you vacuum or brush on the area rug, ensure proper cleaning. Sometimes, a vacuum does not work efficiently to remove a pet’s hair. For this purpose, use a brush to remove the pet’s hair after vacuuming.
For the best cleaning, vacuum the area rug from the other side, if possible. If the area rug is small in size, you can take it outside and shake it well to remove dust or dirt.
Baking Soda
The moisture and extreme humidity levels penetrate in the fibers of area rugs making them smell strange. How to clean area rugs on hardwood floors with baking soda?
To remove the odor of the rug, sprinkle baking soda on the whole surface of the rug and let it sit for almost 2 to 3 hours. After some time, vacuum the area rug to remove the baking soda and the accumulated dirt.
Dishwashing Liquid
If there are spots and stains on your area rug try to remove them immediately. It is best to clean the stained spot rather than clean the whole rug. The mixture of water and mild dishwashing liquid is the best spot or stain-cleaning solution. The quantity of water should be twice than dishwashing liquid.
Spray the solution on the stained area and let it sit for almost 10 to 15 minutes. Use a soft-bristled brush and rub on the surface of the area rug to remove stains.
Carpet Shampoo
After a deep cleaning, it is a perfect time to restore the color and beauty of the area rug which is only possible with the use of a carpet shampoo. Carpet shampoo will bring shine to your rug and will make it new again. Apply carpet shampoo moderately, not too much or not too less.
Dry the Carpet
The last step is to use a carpet steamer after the application of carpet shampoo, rinse it, and then let it dry. If it is possible, take it outside and let it air dry. Avoid placing the rug in the direct sunlight to prevent discoloration.
Can We Use a Pressure Washer on the Area Rug
You may have seen videos on social media or heard from someone to use the pressure washer to clean the area rug. Is it possible? Can we use a pressure washer to clean the area rug?
The selection of pressure washers is only your decision and need. If the area rug is large then you can use a pressure washer outside. Now, the question is, is a pressure washer suitable for all types of material?
Area rugs are available in different materials according to the preferences and needs of people including delicate or natural fibers like wool, and synthetic materials like polypropylene. A pressure washer is not suitable for delicate and expensive materials but can be used for durable materials.
If you want to use a pressure washer for your area rug, make sure to start the washer with its low settings and increase the speed gradually to achieve the desired results. The lowest setting ensures to provide protection to the material from getting damaged. After going through the pressure washing process, let the rug dry completely before placing it in its desired location.
How Often Should You Clean an Area Rug
Maintenance and cleanliness improve the lifetime of area rugs. When it comes to how often should you clean your area rug, it is recommended to vacuum it at least once a week. When you feel it is time for deep cleaning, you can adopt some other methods and wash it.
Ideally, you must vacuum it daily to keep the dust and dirt away from the area rug and to prevent penetrating deep down into the fibers of the rug to make it damage.
Spills or stains need to be cleaned immediately early, otherwise, they will stick hard to the surface. If the pets are around and foot traffic is heavy, clean the rug thoroughly at least once a month.
How do you clean a large rug on a wood floor?
Cleaning a large rug on a wooden floor requires care and attention. It is best to spread any type of plastic sheet around the rug on a wood floor to protect the floor. Vacuum your area rug thoroughly to remove dust or debris. Remove any stains or spots with the use of a mild dishwasher and water. You can use a carpet stain remover to get rid of stains. The supplies include a soft-bristled brush and sponge.
Apply the carpet shampoo to restore the color of the rug. Rinse the rug and use the carpet steamer to let it dry.
How do you get backing off a rug on a wood floor?
A heat source is the best idea to get backing off a rug on a wood floor. A hairdryer can help you in this manner. Use a hair dryer to warm the backing. The downside is that you have to hold the dryer all the time and it can take plenty of time to soften the adhesive.
With a plastic scraper or a putty knife lift the rug from the edges to remove the backing. Slowly and gradually lift the rug to back off from a wood floor while using a heat source. When it’s done, remove the residue on a wood floor with a residue remover specifically designed for carpets or rugs.
What is the best thing to use to clean an area rug?
The best thing to use to clean an area rug is vacuuming daily. Vacuuming brings amazing results and keeps the dust or dirt away from the rug. If you have dust or allergy issues, then regular vacuuming is the best option. To get better results, use a vacuum cleaner with the attachment of a brush.
Otherwise, the products that are specifically designed for carpets and rugs are best to clean. You can get the products online or at your local store nearby. Carpet stain remover and carpet shampoo help to clean the rug while maintaining its shine. You can use a soft bristle brush during the cleaning process.
Conclusion
Area rugs are a great investment in your home. Area rugs add a touch of beauty and style to your décor. The downside of area rugs is that they demand cleaning and you need to vacuum most often.
Cleaning an area rug is not a challenging task but requires some time and effort. If you have questions related to how to clean area rugs on hardwood floors, we have possible solutions. The above-discussed methods will help you to clean the area rugs by using a vacuum, carpet cleaning remover, dishwasher liquid, and baking soda.
