12 Tips For Keeping Your Cotton Area Rug Clean

Cotton area rugs can be a wonderful addition to any room. Because cotton is a natural fiber, it does take some special care to keep it looking its best. One thing to remember: it is important to vacuum your area rug at least once a week. This keeps the dirt particles and dust from collecting under the rug. Those dust and dirt particles will not only wear your rug out but can also damage the floor under the rug as people walk on the rug and grind the particles against the floor. It is also a good idea to turn the rug over and vacuum the underside of it once a month; just to be sure it is free of dirt.

Over time, any area rug is going to get dirty and dingy. This occurs just from people walking on it, of course. There are ways to clean your rug, both from just normal use and for spills that may occur. You do need to check any labels on the rug, or the manufacture’s suggestions on how to clean your rug before you do anything suggested here.

For regular cleaning:

When it is time to clean your cotton area rug, here are some tips:

– Vacuum the rug completely, both on the top of the rug and then flipping it over and vacuuming the underside

– Take the rug outside and lay it down on a paved area that is completely clean.

– Use the hose to wet the rug.

– Add 1/3 of a cup of white vinegar and a teaspoon of a mild detergent to a small amount (about a cup) of warm water in a bucket.

– Use a white towel or a sponge to apply this mixture to your rug. Do not scrub! Just blot the rug with the mixture.

– Hose the rug down thoroughly to rinse all the mixture out of it.

– Dry the rug completely by either using a wet/dry vacuum on it or rolling it up with dry white towels to get all the excess moisture out of it.

– Allow it to dry. Don’t expose the rug to direct sunlight for too long, as this will fade it.

For spot cleaning spills

– Mix a small amount of non-bleach detergent OR white vinegar in some warm water. Don’t use hot water.

– Dab the spill with a clean towel dipped in the mixture and then wrung out. You don’t want to get the rug too wet.

– Blot the spill with the towel. Rinse the towel in the mixture and repeat until the spill is cleaned up.

– Dry the rug completely.

Some stains will require professional cleaning. Make-up, mustard and other oily spills need professional help.

Some cotton rugs can be put into the washing machine. Check the label before you do this. Never put your rug in the dryer, it is way too hot and will shrink your rug. Also, never twist your cotton rug. This will cause it to dry mis-shaped.

Always try to clean any spills up as quickly as you can. This will help to keep the spill from becoming a stain.For more information please visit our area rugs and area rugs in Denver websites.

For more information please visit our area rugs website at http://www.rugexchange.com and area rugs in Denver website at http://www.carpetexchangeonline.com

Author Bio: For more information please visit our area rugs and area rugs in Denver websites.

Category: Home Management
Keywords: professional cleaning,detergent,vinegar ,Cotton Area Rug ,vacuum