The cozy comfort and aesthetics offered by shaggy rugs are loved by everyone. Their fluffy nature makes them a perfect area rug in places where you want to create a spot for relaxing. Their gaining popularity has made these rugs Dubai an essential in every home. Moreover, their vibrant colors and feather-soft texture can spruce up any room effortlessly. Overall, they are a great choice for a luxurious yet cozy decor, but when it comes to their maintenance, they can be a bit of a headache. While their fluffy fibers look and feel great underfoot, they can harbor lots of dust and dirt. This requires their careful and constant maintenance.
This blog will share some amazing and efficient cleaning tips for shaggy rugs to make your task easier.
Top Cleaning Tips By Experts For Shaggy Rugs
Shaggy rugs have thick piles which make their surface plus and extremely soft for walking. If you are using your shaggy rug in a high traffic area, it will need regular upkeep. Lack of maintenance won’t only make the carpet dirty but also cause the carpet fibers to flatten. And what use is a flat shaggy rug, right?
Here is what you can do to clean your shaggy rug quickly and effectively.
Gather Your Tools
Before you begin cleaning, it would be wise to collect all your tools and keep them nearby. Following are the tools that you will need:
- Carpet rake
- Broom
- Vacuum with upholstery attachment
- Microfiber towel
- Sponge mop
- Brush with soft bristles
- Baking soda
- Dishwashing liquid
- Dry carpet shampoo
Beat That Dirt Out
If your shaggy rug is small and easy enough to pick and take it outside, do that. Then give it a good shake to get the dirt out. For slightly bigger rugs, you can place them on a clothesline or a sturdy rail and start beating the rug with a broom. You can also use an old tennis racket or a stick. The amount of dirt that will be released will shock you.
Start Vacuuming
After you have gotten rid of the dirt, start vacuuming. You can use a canister vacuum because it will be more convenient. Make sure that you are using the vacuum with an upholstery attachment for gentle suction on the carpet fibers. This technique will apply just enough pressure to get the debris out without damaging the fibers.
Be through with vacuuming and go over each stroke twice for best results. If you notice that the vacuum is pulling on the fibers, stop right there. You can flip over the rug and start with its backside. If the rug is too big, you can fold it over in sections and start vacuuming. Turn the vacuum setting to the lowest pile and engage the beater bar. Cover the whole area twice to get the dirt out completely. Don’t forget the floor under the rug too, otherwise all that dirt would go right back in the rug.
Stain Cleaning
After flipping the rug back to the correct side, inspect it for any stains that were left untreated. You can spot clean the stain by preparing a cleaning solution. Mix a few drops of dishwashing liquid into lukewarm water and dip a microfiber cloth or a brush in that liquid. Use either of them to clean the stain. Start by rubbing the affected area slowly and avoid scrubbing. After a few minutes, you will start noticing a difference. Then, rinse the tile in clean water and use that to remove any residual solution from the rug. After that, you can use a clean and dry towel for blotting the wet area.
You can then leave the rug to dry but don’t forget to elevate the section that you have just cleaned. This will allow the air to pass through and dry the rug quicker.
Lift The Pile
Usually when a shaggy rug gets wet, its pile doesn’t bounce back to its original appearance by itself. To make fluffy again, you can use your hands or a carpet rake. You can even use your kid’s plastic garden rake to make it gentle. Make sure that you are not tugging on the fibers. For an even and smooth pile for the rug, you can also use a horsehair upholstery brush. This will make the fluffy fibers silky and luscious again without damaging them.
Swift Response For Spills & Stains
You were lounging and having a snack on your shaggy rug, but you spilled some juice. What do you do about it? Your immediate response matters. You can quickly blot the spill on the rug using a clean and dry towel. Then you can get to cleaning the stain by using a gentle cleaning solution. Make sure that you are not scrubbing the rug to clean the stain because it will only add to the damage.
In case of muddy foot prints on the rug, you will have to do the opposite of a quick response. Leave the rug and the mud to dry completely because wet mud is harder to clean up. Once it has dried off, it will be easier to scrape off.
Deep Cleaning (At Least Twice A Year)
Other than daily upkeep and frequent cleaning of a shaggy rug, its deep cleaning can be good for its durability and appearance. Deep cleaning starts the same but involves a few extra steps that give your rug a new life.
Remove The Dirt
Before you begin, shake and vacuum the rug to get all the dirt and debris out. This can be done just the way we mentioned above. Shake it outside, and then bring it inside for vacuuming each side twice.
Rejuvenate & Deordorize
Baking soda is the perfect way to brighten up a worn out rug and remove any odors. For a dull-looking rug, sprinkle some baking soda all over it generously. The baking soda will neutralize any stale odors and make the rug shine more. It is best to leave the baking soda on the rug overnight for best results. The next morning, you can shake and vacuum the rug again to remove the baking soda powder from the fibers.
Use Dry Carpet Shampoo
Using a dry carpet shampoo with granules can be good for deep cleaning. Find any appropriate dry carpet shampoo and read its label and suitability for your rug type. Sprinkle the shampoo granules all over the rug and use a brush or a dry mop to work them into the fibers.
Each carpet shampoo has different instructions so make sure to read them. You should leave the shampoo on the rug according to the time mentioned in the instructions. Usually shampoos are left on carpets for an hour, but it is wise to check it beforehand.
If your carpet has any stains, you can use a bit more amount of shampoo on those areas. Don’t forget to brush the shampoo granules in. After waiting for the time recommended, bring the rug outside and give it a good shake. Then, use a vacuum to rid off the remaining residue. Remember that you have to vacuum both sides of the rug. No residue of the carpet shampoo should be left inside the rug to prevent the granules from damaging the backing of the rug.
Finish by using a carpet rake or a horsehair upholstery brush to lift the pile and bring the rug’s plushness back.
Conclusion
Shag rugs are delicate and need careful cleaning practices. Improper or careless upkeep can cause them to lose shape and wear out prematurely. Follow the steps mentioned above to keep your rug clean, good-looking and fluffy for a long time.
