More often sold as an area rug as opposed to a wall-to-wall carpet, this style is a great way to add texture to your living spaces. Fashion and function are supplied in abundance with shag rugs, so with the right maintenance you can make sure that both your feet are kept warm and your home looks good as new. However, a higher pile rug such as a shag rug requires more care and attention than the usual ways of knowing how to clean carpet (opens in new tab). There are many methods to cleaning a rug, but it is important to follow specific advice dedicated to shag rugs to avoid damaging the pile. Longer fibers are more likely to hold crumbs and debris and are also trickier to spot stains on, so regularly keeping up with cleaning will ensure permanent damage is kept at bay.
How often you should clean a shag rug
As with most carpets and rugs that are placed in areas with high footfall, you should vacuum daily or several times a week to avoid the buildup of dirt. Fluffy surfaces can also become a favorite spot for pets to snuggle and nap on, so vacuuming regularly will help keep a rug hygienic and odor-free. The good news is that it’s relatively quick and easy to clean shag rugs. Simply taking the rug outside and shaking will dislodge the majority of crumbs and dust that accumulate. This will ensure that when it comes time to using the best vacuum cleaners (opens in new tab), you’re starting from a better place. Vacuuming is a vital part of keeping any floor surface in top condition as dust can eventually cause permanent harm, so exploring good quality vacuum cleaners will help you find the right device for your household. When searching for a new vacuum, or tackling daily chores, it’s important to check that your device is compatible with higher piles, as some attachments may struggle with those snug threads.
What you should use to clean a shag rug
While shag rugs do require a little bit more attention than thinner, flat-weave rugs, the cleaning methods still remain minimal and easy to implement. After shaking outside and vacuuming to shift any large bits of dirt, we recommend using a dry rug shampoo as the best route to follow. This is because the dry rug shampoo will deodorize the shag rug while simultaneously providing a general refresh as well. So, if you’re looking to get your shag rug back to its thick and fluffy former glory, take a look at the following steps.
How to clean stains from a shag rug
As with any stains on any surface, the rule of acting fast applies when it comes to cleaning shag rugs. This will provide you with the best opportunity to remove the mark, and bring the rug back to life. While it might be tempting to give a fluffy rug a deep clean to well and truly remove any dirt, it is always best to save this for the professionals. Using a carpet cleaner on this style can cause damage to the fibers as a result of excess moisture and scrubbing, so we recommend finding someone with experience reviving shag rugs. The suction will also be too harsh on the higher pile, so runs the risk of harming the thick, snug quality. Ali Hafezi Mashhadi also notes, “If the rug is made of natural fiber, we recommend blotting and vacuuming the stain to extract as much of the contaminant out from the rug without spreading it as possible before contacting a professional cleaning facility to perform a cleaning and professional spot removal procedure. Even cold water may spread the stain and make matters worse.” However, accidents can happen to the best of us, so it’s always good to have a handy arsenal of tricks to target anything from coffee spills to pet urine. There are many stain removers on the market, but keeping it simple with white vinegar is a great choice for those looking for an affordable and natural option. Discover more guides for the home… Best top load washers (opens in new tab) Best dishwashers (opens in new tab) Best dryers (opens in new tab) Best robot vacuums (opens in new tab)
