The Best Way to Get Your Rugs Clean and Looking Like New (I Swear By It!)

A rug has so much potential — it adds color, texture, and comfort to any room. But you know what else it holds? A whole lot of hidden dirt. In the springtime, we don’t have the luxury of tossing our rugs outside to be cleaned with just snow (yes, that’s a thing!). Instead, we are going to have to roll up our sleeves and deep-clean our rugs with a few key tools.

While you should be vacuuming your rug regularly, you only need to do a deeper clean like the one we’ll do today once or twice a year. Pick out the rug you want to clean today. There are some top contenders: Rugs by your front door that get used frequently, a shag rug that requires extra elbow grease, or the one in the kitchen that gets a lot of mess.

The steps to getting your rug clean will depend on three things: its material, if the rug is in a high-traffic area, and if your home has pets and kids. We’re big fans of washable rugs because they are often easier to clean. So if you are in the market for a new rug, consider buying one of these.

Here are some tips to follow to get your rug cleaner than ever. But above all else, be sure to read your rug’s care instructions first. 

• Vacuum both sides of the rug. Start by vacuuming the top, then move the rug away from the spot it was in and flip it over. Then, vacuum the other side and the spot it was in. Flip the rug right-side up and back in its original position and vacuum once more. If you can’t move the rug, you can flip one side at a time to vacuum the top, bottom, and floor as you go. If you’re able to, take your rug outside to give it a beating to really get the dirt off it. 
• Treat any stains. It’s best to get to spills immediately, but sometimes you can miss a spot. If you notice a stain, then you’ll want to go at it with an upholstery and carpet cleaner and its formulated cleaning product (for something gentler, you can use warm, soapy water). Make sure to spot-test any new cleaner in an inconspicuous spot first before proceeding. If you’re dealing with pet messes, you might want to try an enzyme cleaner. 
• Rinse and dry. If you use soapy water, you’ll want to rinse it out of the rug. After treating stains, you’ll want to absorb as much liquid as possible with a dry towel, then let your rug dry outside or elevate it off the ground.

If you are having any trouble getting your rug cleaned — whether there’s a tough stain or it’s a delicate material — you might want to enlist the help of a professional. It can get costly, so be sure to factor in the cost and research if this is the best option for you.

Which rug did you deep-clean today? Tell us in the community forum and share any before-and-after photos you took!

• Sign up for email updates.
• Visit the Spring Cleaning Cure page and catch up on assignments.
• Download the Spring Cleaning Cure calendar.
• Check off that you’ve completed this task and track your overall progress here.
• Join the conversation by checking out the Cure board in our community forum.
• Listen to our one-hour cleaning playlist on Spotify.

The Cure Program is a tradition here at Apartment Therapy — it happens every January, April, and September. Click here to learn more about the year-round program and when to sign up.