Shag rugs can add a bit of tasteful decoration to home, but unfortunately, like other rugs, they will become dirty. Foot traffic from just a few people can easily bring a lot of dirt to a shag rug. Luckily these rugs can be cleaned pretty easily. Here are five tips that you can use to clean shag rugs.
1. Break Out The Vacuum
Vacuuming is usually the first idea that comes to mind when people think about cleaning shag rugs. These devices can be used to clean shag rugs, but a bit of care is needed. Shag rug fibers can actually become stuck in the vacuum when they sucked inside through reckless handling. When this happens, the rug can be damaged, or part of it may even be ripped off.
The best way to clean a shag rug with a vacuum is by going row by row with the nap of the rug, rather than against it. When vacuuming the rug’s fringes, use a vacuum cleaner attachment with stationary bristles to carefully go over them. Once one side of the rug is done, flip the rug over and vacuum the other side. Each side should be vacuumed two to three times to get the best clean. A great resource to find Shag vacuum is https://vacuumpicker.com/vacuums-for-shag-rug-and-high-pile-carpets
2. Shake and Beat The Rug
Shaking the rug outside helps to remove a lot of dirt. Small rugs can be done with only one person shaking them, but bigger ones will require an extra set of hands. Simply shake the rug heavily while holding the end of it. Avoid dirt blowback by shaking away from the wind. Once the rug has been shaken, put it on a clothesline or lay it upside-down and use a mop or broom handle to beat it. If you want to get rid of bacteria after shaking and beating the rug, you can leave it outside to rest in the sun for a couple of hours. If left in the sun for too long, the UV rays may damage the rug’s color, so take caution with this extra step.
3. Dry Bath Cleaning
An easy cleaning method for shag rugs that only uses a soft bristle brush and dry shampoo is a dry bath. This may be messy, so it’s best to do it outside. Just apply the dry shampoo to the rug and rub it gently with the brush. The shampoo should be left for about 10 minutes or so, depending on the shampoo’s manufacturer, to set. The shampoo and brush combination will help loosen dirt in the rug’s fibers. Once done, run a vacuum over the shampooed rug to finish, giving it a clean and fluffy appearance.
4. Spot Cleaning
If you have a shag rug with a spot or spill in a certain area, you can clean that particular area. This is especially useful if you’re pressed for time. Start with using a neutral colored cloth to soak up the spill, taking care to absorb any liquid without rubbing before doing any deep cleaning. Then use a gentle detergent or soap mixed with water and rub it gently on the spot with a cleaning cloth. An equal mix of lukewarm water and diluted vinegar can be used in place of soap.
5. Give It A Steam Cleaning
One of the easiest ways to clean a shag rug is through steam cleaning, as it thoroughly takes care of dirt and stains. The rug will have to be vacuumed first for a good clean. Using a steam cleaner with water and soap to go over the rug carefully on each side will leave the rug clean, but it will need to be air-dried before it can be used. After cleaning, Scotch Guard can be added to protect the rug.
These cleaning tips can be done by anyone and will ensure that a shag rug stays clean. The rug will look as good as the day you first started using it.
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