All You Need to Know About Cleaning Your Natural Fiber Area Rug
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It's that time of year again - the changing of winter into spring that inspires us to throw open windows to let fresh air in and to give our spaces a good cleaning to get the accumulated dirt and dust of the past season out.
While synthetic rugs may be known for their easy maintenance, natural rugs, while not hard to maintain, do require some TLC worthy of their beautiful, sustainable fibers and superior craftsmanship.
Below are instructions for spring cleaning each type of natural fiber area rug, and to keep maintaining them all year round.
Shake loose dirt out of your bamboo area rug or mat if necessary. Wipe your bamboo area rug or mat with a clean, damp cloth or gentle floor cleaner.
For a bamboo rug with a cotton border, spot clean the border with a mild water and dish soap solution.
Note: In addition to regular cleaning, protect bamboo rug slats from scratching and cracking by using plastic or felt casters for chair and furniture legs.
Vigorously shake your wool area rug out outdoors to remove dust and dirt from its fibers. If necessary, drape your wool rug over something sturdy and beat it with a broom handle to dislodge debris.
Gently vacuum your wool area rug on both sides. Avoid using your vacuum's highest setting to protect wool fibers from being pulled out.
If your wool area rug is dingy, but not heavily soiled, use a dry shampoo for wool rugs. Apply all over your rug, let sit for the recommended timeframe, and then vacuum.
If your wool rug needs a deeper cleaning, use a detergent formulated for wool rugs. If there are any solid stains on your rug (i.e., mud), they should be scraped off using the edge of a spoon or spatula before cleaning.
Address one small area at a time. Dip a clean sponge into the detergent and lightly scrub. Do not make the rug overly wet. Be sure to dip a sponge into clear water and remove the detergent, then blot the moisture our with towel, before moving onto the next section.
Note: It is important that your wool rug is completely dry before putting it back in place. If necessary hang your rug for a few hours or place it near a fan for faster drying.
Vacuum your jute area rug with suction only, not with a beater bar/brush.
Spot clean your jute rug using a mild dish soap and water solution, first testing in a small, inconspicuous area to ensure there's no discoloration. Note: Liquid spills on jute rugs should be blotted immediately by pressing a clean, undyed cloth into the spill to absorb as much as possible before spot cleaning.
For a solid spill on your jute rug, use the dull edge of a knife to scrape up as much as possible and then follow spot cleaning instructions above.
Shake loose dirt out of your cotton area rug and then vacuum it on both sides using the suction function, not a rotary brush.
To get rid of germs you may sprinkle an antibacterial powder on your cotton rug before vacuuming. Testing a small area first is recommended to make sure the powder won't be damaging to the rug.
If necessary, take your cotton area rug outside, hang it over something sturdy, and beat dirt and debris out using a broom.
To wash your cotton area rug, prepare a bucket of a few capfuls of liquid dish soap and warm water. Hot water should be avoided as it can fade your rug and shrink its fibers. Test a small area before using on the entire rug.
Lay your cotton rug on a flat surface and work the liquid solution in using a sponge or soft brush. After a few minutes, brush the entire rug deeply until the detergent lathers. Rinse the rug thoroughly using a garden hose or buckets of clean water. Make sure suds are removed completely.
Next It's important to get rid of the excess water in your cotton rug. Use a wet-dry vacuum or use a squeegee working in the direction of the rug's nap. Clean, dry cloths may be used as well.
Finally, leave the cotton rug out to dry completely. Not doing this can result in mold, mildew and odor. If drying flat, make sure the top of your cotton rug is completely dry and then flip to dry the bottom.
Cleaning methods for silk area rugs are very similar to those for wool rugs, but because of the delicate nature of silk fibers, a more gentle approach is necessary.
Vacuum your silk area rug to remove dust and debris using light suction only. Never use heavy brush attachments or vacuum beater bars on silk fibers.
Then, hang your silk area rug over a clothesline (or something soft to avoid damaging its back) and gently beat it with a broom to dislodge deeper dirt and debris.
To remove any odor form your silk area rug, sprinkle baking soda liberally over it and sweep it across the rug with a soft broom or your hands. Let the rug sit for two hours and then vacuum, making sure to remove all the baking soda.
For stains on your silk rug, pour a small amount of club soda on the stain, blot with a clean, soft cloth, and then allow it to air dry. Never soak your silk rug, as it can quickly develop mold and mildew.
With proper regular care and an occasional deeper cleaning, your natural fiber area rug will maintain its beauty for many seasons to come.