When it comes to cleaning a white rug, there are plenty of ways to go about it. Some people use carpet shampoo and some use a sponge or rag. It all comes down to personal preferences as well as what kind of carpet you are trying to clean.
With this in mind, we are going to be running through some of the best ways to clean a white rug so that you will never have to worry about tarnishing your favorite rug ever again! Let’s get started.
The Right Tools
To start off with, you are going to need a few things to make sure that your white rug is cleaned properly. The first thing that you are going to want to do is grab yourself a good-quality vacuum cleaner.
You can find these at any store like Walmart or Target. They are usually pretty cheap, and they come with attachments for everything from pet hair to dust mites.
If you don’t already own one, we recommend getting a deep cleaner attachment because it will help you get into those hard-to-reach spots on your rug. Next up, you are going to want something to scrub your rug with.
For most people, this will be a sponge, but if you prefer using a rag, then by all means go ahead and use that instead. The last tool that you are going to need is a bucket. This will hold all of the water that you are going to use when cleaning your white rug.
Steps On How To Clean A White Rug:
- Start by vacuuming your rug thoroughly. Make sure that you do not leave any debris behind. Once you have done this, let your vacuum sit for a minute or two before moving on to step 2.
- Using a sponge, wet your rug and begin scrubbing away. Try to work from the edges towards the center of the rug. Don’t forget to also check the underside of the rug and other areas where dirt may be hiding. After you have finished scrubbing, rinse your rug out with warm water. Be careful not to overdo it or else you could end up ruining it, depending on the material.
- Grab a bucket and fill it with hot water. Add a couple of drops of dish soap to the water and mix it around until your solution has turned clear. Use this mixture to soak your rug again, this time for around 10 minutes. Then take your rug outside and hang it up to air dry. If this isn’t possible, you can put it inside a garage or closet.
- Once dry, place your rug in an area that gets lots of sunlight, such as a porch, patio, or by a window. Leave your rug in place for a few hours. During this time, the sun should be able to bleach out any stains or marks left behind by the previous steps.
- Finally, once your rug has been bleached out, you can remove it and put it back in its place in your home. Your rug should look brand new and free of any discolorations or stains!
How To Deep Clean A White Rug
To remove any extra stubborn and tough stains, you might need to do a deep clean of your white rug. Deep cleanings are typically reserved for carpets that have become dirty and stained beyond repair.
In order to perform a deep clean, you are going to first need to replace your current vacuum cleaner hose. This way, you won’t run the risk of damaging your machine while trying to get rid of the stain. When replacing your hose, make sure that you purchase a replacement hose that is made specifically for your model of vacuum cleaner.
Next, you are going to need some special equipment. This includes a carpet shampooer and a steam cleaner. Carpet shampoos are great for removing stains from your rugs, but they only work well if your rug is relatively small.
If your rug is larger than 4’x6′, you will probably want to invest in a steam cleaner. Steam cleaners are great for cleaning out large areas of carpeting. Simply spray the cleaner onto the surface of your rug and wait for it to heat up.
Once heated, simply walk across the rug and watch as the steam loosens all of the dirt and grime. You can then use a brush to gently sweep it up.
Finally, when performing a deep clean, you will want to start in the corners. These spots tend to collect more dirt and grime than the rest of the rug. Make sure to get into these hard-to-reach places and really give them a good cleaning.
Once you’re done, you can go ahead and rehang your rug back in its original spot. Now that’s how to deep clean a white rug!
Neutralizing Rug Odors
Rugs can sometimes develop odors over time which can become quite overpowering. Luckily, there are some easy ways to neutralize these smells without having to throw your rug out. Here are three methods that you can try.
Method 1: Sprinkle baking soda on your rug. Baking soda is a natural deodorizer that works well against both mildew and bacteria. Simply sprinkle a small amount of baking soda on your rug and leave it overnight. In the morning, you’ll notice that the odor has dissipated.
Method 2: Mix equal parts white vinegar and water together and spray it on your rug. White vinegar is another great natural deodorizer that will kill bacteria and prevent mold growth. Just make sure that you don’t use too much vinegar because it can stain your rug if used in excess.
Method 3: Pour rubbing alcohol into a spray bottle and mist your rug. Rubbing alcohol is a strong cleaner that will help eliminate most odors. You can either buy rubbing alcohol at your local drug store, or you can simply pour some vodka into a spray bottle and use that instead. Make sure that you only use enough rubbing alcohol to cover the entire surface of your rug. If you use too much, you run the risk of damaging your rug.
How To Vacuum A White Rug
Vacuuming a white rug or white carpet isn’t all that difficult, but it does require a certain level of patience. The first thing that you need to do is vacuum off any dust that may have accumulated on top of your rug.
Next, grab a brush attachment and start brushing away any dirt that has collected underneath your rug. Don’t forget to brush along the edges of your rug as well.
Once you’ve finished vacuuming, use a steam mop with a microfiber pad. Steam mopping helps loosen up any stubborn dirt that may be stuck under your rug. After steaming your rug, rinse it thoroughly before moving on to the next step.
Next, grab a dry vacuum with a crevice tool. This tool allows you to reach areas that other types of vacuums cannot access. Use this tool to vacuum around the legs of furniture and under couches. Once you’re done vacuuming, let your rug air-dry completely before putting it back where it belongs.
How To Remove Stains From White Rugs
Staining a white rug is not an easy task. However, there are some things that you can do to remove stains from your rug. First, it’s important to note that removing stains from your rug requires a lot of elbow grease. That said, here are two tips that should help you get started.
Tip 1: Try to remove the stain immediately. When possible, try to remove the stain right away so that you won’t have to worry about it getting worse.
Tip 2: Scrub your rug with soap and water. Soap and water are two of the best tools for cleaning a white rug. All you need to do is mix one cup of warm water and one tablespoon of dishwashing liquid together, and then rub the mixture onto your rug. Let it sit for five minutes and then scrub it clean with a sponge or rag.
If neither of these methods works, you may want to consider hiring a professional carpet cleaner.
How To Protect Your White Rug
Protecting your white rug is easier than you might think. Here are three simple ways to keep your rug looking its best.
- Keep It Dry – Since white rugs tend to absorb moisture quickly, it’s important to keep them dry. Avoid leaving wet shoes outside of your home or keeping towels near your rug. Instead, hang your clothes inside closets or store them in plastic bags.
- Get Rid Of Odors – If your rug starts smelling bad, don’t just ignore it. Take action right away. Open windows and turn on fans to circulate fresh air throughout your house. Also, make sure that you regularly change out your air filters. Finally, if your rug still smells after following these steps, call a professional carpet cleaner. They’ll know exactly how to get rid of those nasty odors once and for all.
- Be Careful With Furniture – While most people would assume that they can move their furniture around without worrying about damaging their white rug, this assumption could prove to be wrong. In fact, many white rugs contain delicate carpet fibers that can easily become damaged when moved. Therefore, it’s always better to err on the side of caution when moving furniture.
Final Thoughts
White rugs are beautiful additions to any room. Unfortunately, though, they can also be quite difficult to maintain. Fortunately, there are many different ways to protect your white rug and keep it looking great, such as the techniques that we mentioned above. As long as you are willing to put in the time and effort with your white rug, you are sure to see the benefits!