Rug care tips: how to look after your area rug
Simple rug care tips to keep a rug cleaner, brighter and in shape between washes.
- Vacuum often A few times a week in busy rooms
- Blot spills fast Press and lift. Never rub.
- Rotate twice a year For even wear and fading
- Wash about once a year More often with pets and kids
Everyday care
Vacuum often, and gently
Grit wears a rug down from the inside.
Dirt and sand settle deep in the pile, and every footstep grinds them against the fibres. Regular vacuuming is the simplest way to stop that wear.
- Two to three times a week
- Go with the pile
- No brush roll on silk or shag
- Skip the fringe
Now and then, flip the rug and vacuum the back too. It shakes loose the grit that has worked its way down.
A rug pad underneath stops the rug from sliding and softens the wear on its back.
Even wear
Rotate it, and mind the sun
Turn your rug twice a year.
Most rooms have a path people walk daily, and one side that gets the afternoon sun. Turning your rug twice a year spreads out both the wear and the fading.
Strong sunlight fades dyes over time. Blinds or sheers in the brightest hours help, especially for silk and for deep reds and blues.
- Rotate every six months
- Lift furniture, don’t drag it
- Cups under heavy legs
- Close blinds in strong sun
Spills
Spills: the first few minutes
Act quickly, and be gentle.
Most spills come out more easily while they’re fresh. What you do first matters more than what you use.
Please don’t use hot water, bleach or a carpet shampoo on a wool or silk rug. They can set a stain, make dyes run, or leave soap behind that attracts more dirt. Dye runs (colour that has already bled) aren’t covered by the stain promise.
When nobody has tried cleaning it first, virtually all stains come out completely.* Read about rug stain removal.
* Read the conditions in Our promises in detail.
Step by step
Pets
Living with pets and rugs
Accidents happen. Speed matters.
Pet urine soaks through the pile into the backing, where you can’t reach it. Blot up what you can with a dry towel, and don’t add water or any cleaner.
Not sure what to do? Roll up the rug, call us, and we’ll come and get it.
Don’t use steam or heat on urine. Heat can set both the stain and the smell.
- Blot accidents right away
- Vacuum pet hair often
- Watch for chewed fringe
- Notice smells on damp days
If a smell keeps coming back, the urine has reached the backing and the rug needs a full wash. Read about pet urine and accidents.
Storage & moths
Storing a rug, and keeping moths away
Clean it first, then roll it.
Clothes moths look for wool in dark, quiet places: under sofas, behind doors and in storage. They’re drawn to dirt, food and body oils, so a clean rug is much less tempting.
- Clean it before storing
- Roll it, don’t fold it
- Wrap it in cotton, not plastic
- Store it dry, off the floor
Once a month, unroll a stored wool rug, or roll back one that stays put, and vacuum it all over with an electric-brush vacuum, under the furniture too. Moths love wool, so a synthetic rug doesn’t need this. As you go, look for bare patches, fine webbing or tiny larvae.
Found signs of moths? Read about moth treatment for rugs.
Deep cleaning
When to get a professional clean
About once a year for most homes.
Vacuuming lifts surface dirt, but grit builds up deep in the pile. Wondering how often to clean a rug? About once a year for most homes, more often with pets or young children.
- Dull or shaded walkways
- Dust rises when you tap it
- A smell that stays
- Before storage or a move
We pick up your rug, wash it at our facility and bring it back clean. Pickup and delivery are free. If you’re not sure it’s time, call (416) 939-7571 and ask.
Rug cleaning & care
When a rug needs more than care
Some jobs go beyond home area rug care. We look first, then say what it needs.
From the blog
Step-by-step guides
More detail on the jobs you can do at home.
Rug & carpet care
DIY rug maintenance with home dry cleaning compound
Stains & spills
How to remove chewing gum from a carpet or rug
Rug & carpet care
How to apply carpet deodorizer
Rug & carpet care
5 signs your carpet needs cleaning
Rug & carpet care
The best carpets for your baby to play on
Questions
Rug care questions
The questions we’re asked most often, answered the way we would on the phone.
How often should my rug be professionally cleaned?
About once a year, and more often with pets or young children. Busy rooms get there sooner too. If you’re not sure, phone us and tell us about your rug.
Can I shampoo or steam clean my area rug at home?
Not for wool, silk or hand-made rugs. Soaking a rug on the floor can make dyes run or leave the backing damp and soapy. As for how to clean an area rug at home, stick to blotting spills, vacuuming and the occasional dry cleaning compound.
Can I put my rug in the washing machine?
Small cotton or synthetic mats sometimes can, if the care label says so. Anything larger, and any wool, silk or hand-made rug, shouldn’t go near a home machine.
Do I need a rug pad?
In most rooms, yes. A pad stops the rug from sliding, softens the wear on its back and helps it lie flat.
What about viscose (rayon) rugs?
Viscose looks like silk but is far more delicate, especially when wet. Blot a spill once with a dry white cloth, and don’t add water or any cleaner, because that can do lasting harm. Then call us. Viscose stains almost always need stain treatment, and our stain promise* covers them if nobody has tried to clean them first.
Ready for a cleaner rug?
For rug care tips we haven’t covered, phone us. You’ll get our honest opinion, and no sales pitch.