Can you imagine a house without a rug? Of course not! It is a must-have at home. A rug can provide comfort. It can warm your feet when it is cold.
There is no denying the fact that rugs can provide an accent to your home. Rugs are available in different designs, color combinations, and styles. The materials used vary depending on where you want to place them.
Since rugs are basically doing tough work at home, it is built to bear a rugged situation. It is not only its toughness but the ability to absorb dirt. It is how they are designed and getting dirty means they serve their purpose.
The fact that rugs are expected to be dirty does not mean they have to look that way. Given the necessary attention, your rugs can look good as new. There are several ways on how to clean a rug and make it looks new again. Here are some of the effective ways:
Clean it using baking soda
Baking soda is an effective all-around cleaning agent even for rugs. Rugs are commonly crafted from abaca, nylon, and others. These types of materials react to baking soda. They tend to attract baking soda and expels dirt and molds.
Another important feature of baking soda is that it removes the unpleasant odor. It does not leave any odor after cleaning. All that is left is the natural smell of a clean rug. More importantly, baking soda is readily available and cheap.
To clean using baking soda, pour a generous amount into your rug. Make sure that you do not leave any space behind by using a brush to scatter the baking soda on your rug. After making sure that you applied baking soda in all areas, leave it overnight. Use a vacuum to clean up the baking soda. You will be amazed of the result!
Use white vinegar
Aside from being a common cooking ingredient, white vinegar Is an effective cleaning agent too. The acid solution works well in dissolving stubborn dirt on your rug.
White vinegar also has the right solution to remove the unpleasant smell of your rug. It has an active chemical solution that fights bacteria that causes the rug to smell bad. Hence, it is a perfect combo with the baking soda.
Mix equal parts white vinegar and baking soda. Place the solution in a spray bottle. Spray the whole area of your rug liberally. Make sure you don’t miss a spot. Don’t worry about the smell because it will dissipate in an hour or two. Leave the solution for a couple of hours and rinse . The result will surprise you!
Soak with bleach
Bleach is known to have superb cleaning power. Whether you have white or colored rugs, it will work its magic. Bleach is also cheap and readily available.
Over the years, bleach has been used not only to clean but also to kill bacteria. It is proven to be an effective disinfectant. Even hospitals are using bleach when sanitizing areas. Molds are formed because of bacteria. Hence, being exposed to bleach is the last thing they want.
To use a bleach solution, you can have an equal amount of bleach with water for white rugs. For colored rugs, the volume of water should be 2 times the volume of bleach. This will ensure that the color will be protected. Nowadays, there is a bleach that is custom-grade to be safe for colored fabrics.
Vacuum regularly
There is no better way to clean a rug than to vacuum regularly. When we speak regularly, it does not mean every day. You can have your rugs vacuumed once a week or once every 2 weeks. This should prevent dirt and dust to get stuck in woven strands.
A regular vacuum of your rugs is a form of preventive maintenance. It’s an effective way to prevent something from getting bad to worst. The strength of your vacuum can also spell the difference of making it look new again.
Using your vacuum also involves a pre-cleaning procedure. You can start by washing your rug with soap and water. Then, let it dry. Vacuum your rug when it is dry to ensure the best result.
Whatever method you choose to perform, your rug deserves a treat. However, you have to assess which method fits your rug. Consider the material that your rug is made of.
When was the last time you cleaned your rugs?
