How to properly clean your deep-pile or delicate rugs
Rugs make a cosy addition to any room, and are a real boon underneath bare feet on a cold winter's morning.
Shaggy rugs, from natural sheepskin to synthetic pile, or even novelty leather strips are more popular than ever, but even though you might vacuum them regularly, you may feel like it's not getting fully clean. Or, perhaps wary of damaging the rug, you might not be vacuuming it at all – and (ickiness factor aside) that's even worse.
When dirt gets into a shag rug, normal foot traffic grinds the dirt against the fibres and damages the rug. The longer the dirt stays in the rug, the deeper it gets ground in, doing more damage over time.
If you've invested in a one-of-a-kind handmade textile rug, or a natural sheepskin, keeping it in tiptop shape is a priority. But even more affordable options can be tough to clean and maintain – which is certainly the reason 1970s-style wall-to-wall shag carpeting quickly fell out of favour. There's no reason smaller shag rugs (and other handmade rugs) shouldn't be cleaned on a regular basis – as long as you know what to do.
Natural Sheepskin
If your rug has a care tag, always consult this first. Sheepskin rugs can be taken to the dry cleaners, but this can be expensive. In any case, nearly all natural (un-dyed) sheepskin rugs can be hand-washed gently at home.
1. Fill a bathtub or tub with cool or lukewarm water. Never use hot water, as it will cause your sheepskin rug to shrink.
2. Add a specialist sheepskin and wool detergent. A standard wool detergent may cause damage, so make sure it is designed for sheepskin. The detergent must be non-alkaline, with no biological enzymes. Fabric softeners are a no-no, too. Read the directions on the label, and test any product in a small area before using.
3. Place the sheepskin in the tub and gently swish it around in the sudsy water to loosen any dirt particles for up to five minutes.
4. Squeeze the sheepskin out, and rinse it twice in cold water to remove all detergent.
5. Once it's been rinsed, roll up the sheepskin and squeeze it dry. You may also want to pat it with clean towels or sponges to absorb any remaining moisture.
6. Lay the rug out on a clean towel to air dry. Pull the leather into shape, keeping it flat, and make sure the sheepskin dries in a cool, shaded place, away from direct sunlight or heat (which can cause shrinkage).
7. Using a metal bristled sheepskin brush, fluff the wool gently while still damp. Brush it once again after it's dried – your sheepskin will return to its natural fluffiness!
Wool shag and artisan textiles
By "artisan textiles" we're talking about handmade items like Moroccan Boucherite rugs, a contemporary pom-pom rug or something similar. The first thing to check is how well the fibres are attached to the backing, or to each other. If they're easy to pull out, you'll have to be extra-gentle. Some rugs can be cleaned with a canister vacuum or an upholstery attachment. Try it on a small area to make sure it doesn't pull the fibres out, and then go row by row, cleaning between the fibres, down to the backing as best you can.
It's a good idea to give these rugs a regular beating. Take the rug outside, flip it upside down, and flex the rug up and down to let the dirt fall out. Small rugs can be fluffed in the dryer on a no-heat setting for about 10 or 15 minutes. Flokati rugs can be combed with a wide-toothed dog brush to keep them looking fluffy and clean. At a certain point, you're going to have to have these rugs professionally washed. They're just too heavy and thick for most people to clean on their own. You'll want to take it to the cleaner every 18 to 24 months. As you probably expect, it's going to be expensive.
Acrylic
Cheaper shag rugs are probably going to be made of acrylic, but be careful – these are a huge fire danger. Don't ever keep them near a heat source. The downsides of a wool rug (expensive to maintain) versus an acrylic rug (highly flammable) don't even compare. If you do have an acrylic rug, do yourself a favour and replace it.
Viscose, nylon and polyester
These synthetic fibres can be treated the same way as wool, as long as you are careful about not pulling them out. Vacuum the rug with a canister vacuum or upholstery attachment, and shake it out as often as possible. The good news about this kind of rug is that it can be steam-cleaned, so the cost to have it professionally washed will not be as high.
Leather strips
Leather rugs are very hard to clean and not practical for anyone with kids or pets. The cotton backing absorbs spills and is very hard to clean, and the leather loses its perkiness with wear. To clean, you can try leather cleaner at home, but a professional wash is probably your best bet.
Ultimately, a statement shag rug is an expensive decoration to have on your floor. If you're not willing to dedicate the time and money to properly cleaning your rug (or replacing it every few years), it's probably in your best interest to wait out this trend.
Written by Kathleen Kinney. First appeared on Stuff.co.nz.
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