How To Clean An Area Rug On Hardwood Floors

There’s no telling how much warmth and coziness area rugs bring to any room. They’re majorly known for their appearance, quality, and size. Unlike wall-to-wall carpets that stretch across every area of the room, area rugs only cover a part or portion of the room and help create a frame or pattern for placing furniture and house ornaments.

Now in this guide, we’ll help show you how to clean an area rug on hardwood floors.

Vacuum First

The first step to cleaning an area rug on hardwood floors is to vacuum first and get rid of dust and debris in the rug. But before that, be sure to remove any furniture or items originally placed on the rug.

When vacuuming, be sure to clean both sides of the rug and extend it to the hardwood floor as well. This eliminates dirt. If possible, you can clean the rug in an open place by using a tennis racket or a broom.

Try Cleaning Solutions To Remove Stains

To efficiently get rid of debris and stains, you can make use of household cleaning products or DIY products as well. Some include:

• Rug Shampoo
• Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking soda)
• Steam cleaning.

Using any of these products can help to effectively get rid of stains, odors, and dirt that have accumulated over time in the rug. You can also make use of a rag, bristle brush, or a squeegee.

To clean, apply any of the solutions mixed with warm water and use either a brush, rag, or microfiber cloth to clean and scrub off dirt. Ensure this process is carried out gently without soaking the rug or wetting the hardwood floor. Clean and/or brush the rug for about 2-10 minutes and then prepare to rinse and dry thoroughly.

Bear in mind that if you intend on using steam cleaning on a hardwood floor, it’s best to clean the rug outside or use a plastic covering on the rug to prevent moisture absorption by the hardwood because it can lead to its damage.

For tough stains, you can add a little bit of hydrogen peroxide to the solution. However, this should not be left on the rug for long as it can damage the material.

Rinse And Dry It Out

After thoroughly cleaning the rug, ensure you dry the rug on both sides. Make sure to dry the rug while it’s flat and do not put a rug that isn’t properly dry on a hardwood floor as it can absorb moisture and damage it in the long run. You can either air dry thoroughly, make use of a wet-dry vacuum, or use a squeegee.

FAQs

What’s an easy way to clean a large area rug?

You can make use of a pressure washer or simply use any of the cleaning solutions above and dry outdoors. If you choose to clean it indoors, you should protect the floor beneath with plastic covering before commencing the cleaning process.

How can an area rug be cleaned without ruining it on a hardwood floor?

Before cleaning an area rug, ensure you test it for colorfastness and test the products you intend to use to avoid discoloration or damaging the rug. If you intend on cleaning the rug on a hardwood floor, make sure you protect the wood first before cleaning.