Although you can always get a professional cleaner, carpets, rugs, and mats still need to be taken care of on normal days.
This means not taking in dirt from outside and stepping your shoes on them as much as possible. After all, some fabrics and colors get damaged or soiled way easier than other kinds.
At any rate, we’ve written a basic guide on carpet, rug, and mat care here so they will continue to make a design statement in your house and last through many years.
Keep reading to know more about it!
Why Is RegularVacuuming Important?
Vacuuming carpets and rugs regularly is a must to remove the surface dirt, debris, and grit. If ignored, these could settle in their deeper fibers and result in noticeable spots and unpleasant odors.
Doing this will also make the technician’s work somewhat easier. It could also give you some savings, albeit not being much.
Focus more on carpets and rugs in heavy-traffic areas and near entrances. Making eight to dozen passes on them should be enough.
Other than these areas, you can do some light vacuuming to maintain the cleanliness and hygiene of your carpets twice a week.
How to Clean Different Carpet or Rug Types
Each rug and carpet varies in type, as well as its best vacuuming, stain removal, and deep-clean practices. Let’s take a look at some common types and how to clean them below:
- Synthetic Type
Synthetic fabrics need to be vacuumed first in multiple directions. Once the vacuum bag becomes half-full, stop vacuuming and replace it immediately to retain the unit’s efficiency.
For small spills, use the blot-dry method wherein you dab a few paper towels or cloth on the affected area on the carpet or rug. Then, press down using the heel of your hand to let them absorb most of the liquid.
But, for larger spills, you would have to use a wet-dry vacuum at once and then blot them out with a dry cloth.
As for deep-cleaning them, the steam cleaning method is the standard. You can rent this machine from a reputable rental company, but be aware that this may add to your expenses.
- Wool Type
The difference with wool floor fabrics is they take in water which makes them harder to clean and heavier to carry.
Check the carpet pile arrangement first. If it has a looped pile that forms round and discrete patterns, avoid vacuuming it as it can make the carpet frizzy or frayed.
Another caveat is to not use alkaline or ammonia-based cleaners because these can mar the wool fabric. Given the unique property of wool carpets and rugs, we recommend getting a professional cleaner to clean them instead.
- Plant Fiber Types
Plant fiber carpets, including seagrass, sisal, and jute, are more susceptible to stains and spills than the previous two types mentioned.
It’s vital to vacuum them regularly to reduce their amount of grit. Grit is one of the main culprits for causing severe damage to plant-based carpets.
To remove stains, dry out damp portions of the carpet at once to prevent mold and fungus growth. Using a fan or hairdryer will make the task a lot easier.
Speaking of which, the best method for cleaning plant-fiber carpets, rugs, and mats is the dry-cleaning method.
A Few Tips for Cleaning Bathroom Mats
Bathroom mats differ from rugs and carpets in that they have an anti-slip surface beneath them. These are extremely useful after one steps out soaked from the shower or bathtub.
Tip #1 Use Baking Soda to Clean Bathroom Mats
Baking soda is very effective in cleaning a bathroom mat. This home ingredient deodorizes foul odors, removes stubborn stains, and sticky textures.
To use it, you just need to sprinkle a small cup of baking soda, let it sit for fifteen minutes, and rinse with warm water.
Tip #2 Machine-Wash Your Bathroom Rug
First, you need to read the care tag on the reverse side of the bathroom rug. If it can be machine-washed, right on.
For this, make sure to lift and shake off loose dirt and fold it by holding the opposite sides together, and then let the washer do the work!
Tip #3 Use the Brush Vacuum Tool to Remove Embedded Dirt
If you have a brush tool attachment for your vacuum cleaner, you can use this to remove dirt and debris trapped within the carpet pile.
The motorized tool will loosen them up to remove the dirt off your carpet’s surface. This is a great hack that will make your bathroom rug or mat effortlessly clean.
