How to Vacuum Every Type of Rug

The first step to properly vacuuming a rug is to get a rug. You can start by checking out our huge selection of custom rugs.  

Since their invention at the beginning of the 20th century, electric vacuum cleaners have been a crucial cleaning tool. Nowadays, you’d be hard-pressed to find a home that doesn’t have one. 

Vacuums come in handy for removing dirt and dust from unwanted areas—but can you vacuum a rug? 

You sure can! 

Here’s our guide on how to vacuum a rug, depending on its material.

Nylon Rugs

Made from synthetic materials, nylon rugs don’t usually shed. Vacuuming them regularly is a key step to keeping them clean and cared for. However, when vacuuming, you’ll want to make sure the beater bar of your vacuum is turned off. If not, the nylon material will create fuzz.

Jute Rugs

Natural fiber rugs like jute also don’t do well with beater bars. For this material, you’ll want to use an upright vacuum on its lowest setting, moving in the direction of the fibers. This will help protect against fraying.

Polypropylene Rugs 

Another rug made of synthetic materials, polypropylene is meant to handle heavy traffic and use. This means it can stand up pretty well to cleaning, too. Feel free to vacuum it daily or weekly to keep the dirt off.

Polypropylene rugs, like this Belize Outdoor Sisal Rug in Frost, can be vacuumed frequently.

Sisal Rugs

Sisal is a natural fiber, so dirt won’t cling to a sisal rug the way it clings to synthetic rugs. Instead, the dirt settles into the fibers. Regularly vacuuming your sisal rug can keep it in great shape. For the best results, use a strong suction-only vacuum. Also, vacuum the rug multiple times from different angles to make sure you hit every crevice.

Hemp Rugs

Made from hemp grass, this is another style of rug that calls for a strong suction-only vacuum. Do not use a beater bar (are you sensing a theme here?) as it will only cause damage to your rug. Instead, when it's time to clean your hemp rug, run a suction-only vacuum over it multiple times so you can pick up all the dirt from the fibers.

Wool rugs

Wool rugs are known to shed, but you’ll need to show restraint when vacuuming them. Once every other week, max! And a little shedding is ok, especially when you consider the alternative: needing to replace a beautiful wool rug due to over-vacuuming. By now you know the drill: don’t use a beater bar unless you want to wreck the fibers.

Sisal Wool Rugs

With the powers of natural fibers combined, sisal wool rugs can withstand a little more vacuuming than wool-only rugs. Beater bars are still the enemy when you are cleaning, but you can use a strong suction vacuum to pick up debris and vacuum more frequently.

Seagrass Rugs

Regular vacuuming is one way to keep your seagrass rugs clean and fresh. Using strong suction only (and no beater bar), make several passes over your rug. Switch up directions as you vacuum as well to help your vacuum collect as much dirt as possible.

When vacuuming seagrass, like this Seagrass Area Rug in Seashell, use a strong suction vacuum.

Polysilk Outdoor Rugs

Polysilk is incredibly durable, standing up to the outdoor elements. You can use a broom to sweep away soil but you should rely on a vacuum for the big jobs. It goes without saying at this point: do not use a beater bar. Simply vacuum in alternating directions over your polysilk rug to suck everything out. If the rug has binding, make sure to vacuum in the same direction as the binding.  

Rugs that Don’t Suck

How to vacuum a rug depends on its material, but it's always a regular part of rug upkeep. Done the right way, it will extend the quality and longevity of your rug. Excited to get started? Well, the first step to properly vacuuming a rug is to get a rug! Start by checking out our huge selection of custom rugs.