Rugs, especially the ones placed in high-traffic areas like the kitchen or an entrance hallway, can get dirty. The wear that footprints from shoe traffic can put on rugs is just one of the obstacles to face when you’re maintaining your rug on a day-to-day basis. Add to that spilled food, mud tracked in from outside, and other filthy and smelly substances that can be tracked onto any rug at any time. Cleaning rugs - both indoor and outdoor - is really not all that hard if you do it regularly and know what tools to use. It’s definitely important to invest in high-quality cleaning tools, but the main things needed to clean a rug, other than a vacuum cleaner and mop, are mainly products such as rug specialized shampoo. In this article, you will find out some tips and care instructions for rugs and the main steps to follow in the rug cleaning process.

Best way to clean indoor and outdoor rugs

You probably have an idea of how to clean your rugs, and probably know already that it can be done by using a vacuum cleaner. But how to actually clean your rug? How to achieve the best results and leave your rug looking brand new? 

There are two main ways to clean large area rugs: professional cleaning or self-cleaning. with the professional cleaning option, a bigger investment must be made. On the other hand, if you choose the self-cleaning method of cleaning your indoor or outdoor floor yourself, you might save up some money, but might also want to learn some tricks.

For instance, the first thing to consider is that there are several steps to cleaning a rug, and it is very important to pay attention to the possible ways in which the cleaning methods and materials could affect the rug material. 

The basic steps to successfully clean your rug are: 

1. Gather the cleaning tools and products, which can be many, specialized products or a simple brush, and a cleaning product, which is rug shampoo. 
2. Before washing it, remove dirt and debris.
3. Pour a bit of rug cleaner over it, to see if it affects the material in any way (be on the lookout for color changes).
4. Rub the shampoo over the rug with a sponge or brush and let it rest for some minutes before rinsing. 
5. Rinse the rug and take all the rug shampoo off the material.
6. Let the rug dry completely 
7. After the rug has dried, you can vacuum it, and it will be ready to adorn your house just as a new piece of decor. 

Some people also prefer to use a vacuum cleaner instead of the other methods, for it can be used on both indoor and outdoor floor coverings, and it accelerates the cleaning process. The vacuum cleaner also helps you to clean all the dirt and liquids as well as loosen lint and pet hair with time. However, we recommend you perform a thorough cleaning on your rug every once in a while, depending on the use and traffic it gets.

The next thing to consider is the type of rug that you have. Depending on the material of the rug, it will have more or less resistance needed for every step of the cleaning process. For instance, if you are dealing with authentic hand-knotted wool rugs, you must be careful with the cleaning process. A vintage Persian rug, such as a tribal wool rug or a silk oriental rug might be harder to maintain, and more attention should be paid to the cleaning process.

Here are some tips on how to clean an area rug, divided between indoor and outdoor rugs:

For outdoor rugs

Outdoor rugs are conceived to resist several external agents, such as sunlight, rain, changing weather and temperatures, and high traffic. That is the reason why cleaning an outdoor rug is considerably easier.

You might not realize that dirt and moisture can accumulate on your outdoor rug if you're using it to cover up a large area. If you're going to use your outdoor rug regularly, then it will be important to clean it from time to time. One of the most effective ways to do this is with a high-quality vacuum cleaner, which should be emptied after each use so that any dirt and debris don't build up inside the machine.

Furthermore, take some wet rags out onto the patio and wipe down the entire surface of your rug. This will remove any dirt and debris, and you can use a separate rag for the suction.

Why do I need to clean my outdoor rug?

Your outdoor rug can become dirty after a period of continuous use in your outdoor area, which means that it needs a thorough cleaning rather regularly. Even if you're covering up a small space that doesn't have much foot traffic, your rug will still suck up dust, dirt, and moisture from the ground beneath it. This is something that could affect its lifespan if it doesn’t have regular care.

For indoor rugs 

Indoor rugs tend to be more delicate than outdoor ones. Therefore, special attention should be given to the cleaning process and the materials used to clean the rug. The usual problems an indoor rug can face are dust, dirt from foot traffic, spills of food or drink, and dog feces. to maintain your home's hygiene, a thorough cleanse should be taken on a regular basis.

For indoor rugs, it is better to vacuum the rug before you begin cleaning it. Furthermore, try to use a soft brush and soap solution. Avoid brushing too much on the rug, so for dirt or food stains, make sure to wet the stain with liquid soap and water and saturate it for at least 30 seconds.

Pay special attention to the texture of the rug, and try to elongate its lifespan. If you notice that the rug is getting soft and matted down, soak it in a mixture of liquid dishwashing detergent and water. Finally, you must still try to clean the rug as thoroughly as you can: use your vacuum cleaner to remove the water and dirt from the rug. Make sure that you don't leave behind any unnecessary lint or loose fibers from the brush head

Why do I need to clean my indoor rug? 

The hygiene of the whole house depends a great deal on the degree of cleanliness of your rug. As they are often centerpieces for the house, they are the ones who are most visited, touched, and stepped on in the whole area. The germs, therefore, can concentrate to a point in which it might get to be dangerous. Avoid having bacteria or even fungus in your area rug, and try to perform deep cleaning. The regularity with which you will do so depends on how often you use it. If you use it every day, then you should clean it once a week.

Where to find the best outdoor & indoor rugs? 

It might be hard to decide which rug to purchase in a market as big as the outdoor and indoor rugs, and that is why here at Magic Rugs, we have curated a collection of the best indoor and outdoor rugs with the utmost quality, that are sure to last many, many years in your premises and last for generations in your family if taken good care of. We invite you to browse through our very wide catalog of the most beautiful rugs you could ever find and choose the one that best suits your needs and expectations. You might even find some indoor and outdoor rugs on sale over here.