How to Clean Any Rug

Nothing beats the crisp cleanness of a brand new rug. But as with all things, time–and pets and children–can take a toll. Eventually you will want to clean your rug, whether to keep it looking fresh or to wash up after a spill. When you do, it’s important to use a technique that will get the best clean without damaging the rug’s fibers. 

We have compiled this guide for how to clean nine types of rugs, as well as some general rug cleaning tips that apply no matter what material your rug is made of. 

General rug cleaning tips  

Clean spills as soon as you can. Rugs may seem sturdy, and generally they are. But they are still prone to staining, and the longer a spill stays on the rug, the higher the risk it will leave a lasting mark.

Blot–don’t scrub. When you are clearing excess material from a spill, scrubbing and rubbing can push the material further into the rug. This puts your rug at risk of staining and could even ruin the weave in that section of the rug. 

Do not put it in the washing machine. A washing machine submerges your rug in water–which in almost every case is a bad idea. Plus, the motion of the wash cycle puts your rugs at risk of fraying and unweaving, even on the gentlest setting. It’s best to always wash by hand.  

For more general cleaning tips, check out our post 6 Catch-All Rug Care Maintenance Tips.  

Wool rugs

Wool rugs are soft and quite durable–but not when it comes to cleaning. The only way you should clean a wool rug is with a spot clean technique. Do not soak, spray, or otherwise saturate your wool rug. 

For step by step instructions, check out our guide on how to clean wool rugs.  

Hemp rugs 

Hemp rugs are among the most eco-friendly rugs you can buy. These rugs are made from a plant, hemp grass, but that doesn’t mean you should water them. Soaking a hemp rug could cause permanent damage, so it’s best to spot clean when necessary while sticking to a dry cleaning method for ongoing maintenance. 

For step by step instructions, check out our guide on how to clean hemp rugs.

Seagrass rugs

Seagrass rugs have “sea” right in the name, so you might think they can handle lots of water when it comes time to wash them. That is not true! As with most natural fiber rugs, soaking–or even dousing–a seagrass rug could ruin it. Stick to a spot clean when necessary and a dry clean at all other times. 

For step by step instructions, check out our guide on how to clean seagrass rugs. 

Sisal rugs

Sisal rugs are made of natural fiber, so dirt does not cling to them. That doesn’t mean dirt–and spills–won’t still get on them. For wet spills, it’s best to spot clean sisal rugs as soon as possible. For dry spills, you can scrape up the excess before vacuuming the smaller bits. 

For step by step instructions, check out our guide on how to clean sisal rugs.

Sisal wool rugs

Sisal wool rugs are made of a combination of sisal and wool, so it’s no surprise that you should take wool and sisal cleaning instructions into consideration here. Be gentle and never submerge it. 

For step by step instructions, check out our guide on how to clean sisal wool rugs. 

Polysilk outdoor rugs

If all this talk of careful cleaning has you itching for something more aggressive, this is the rug for you. Get the spill up fast, and hose it off outside. Polysilk rugs are great indoor/outdoor rugs, but they don’t do well with high pressure spraying, so keep it nice and easy on the water pressure to prevent fuzzing. 

For step by step instructions, check out our guide on how to clean polysilk rugs.

Polypropylene rugs 

Here’s another rug for the tough love enthusiasts. As with all rugs, it’s best to remove any spills as soon as possible. Once the spill is wiped up, treat any stains with club soda and a towel. Once that’s done you can take the rug outside and spray it thoroughly with a hose and hang it up to dry. 

For step by step instructions, check out our guide on how to clean a polypropylene rug.

Jute rugs

Jute rugs are made from a natural material and are very durable. But their durability does not stand a chance against excess moisture, so be sure to keep them out of the bathroom and never use more water than is necessary to clean up spills. If you’d rather skip the water, you can use a dry carpet cleaning powder to spot clean jute rugs. 

For step by step instructions, check out our guide on how to clean jute rugs. 

Nylon rugs

Nylon is one of the best rug materials because it is durable, antimicrobial, and stain resistant. Still, spills happen to the best of us, and your nylon rug will thank you for cleaning it up. Never put a nylon rug in the washing machine and do your best to stick to spot cleaning when needed. 

For step by step instructions, check out our guide on how to clean nylon rugs. 

To clean a rug, you need a rug

Now that you’ve toured the best ways to clean each of these rugs, it’s time to get a rug of your own. Take a look at our huge selection of custom rugs and rest easy knowing that, no matter which rug you choose, when spill day arrives, you’ll be ready.