How to Clean a Rug in 9 Steps: Area Rugs, Oriental Rugs, and More

Could your area rug use a deep clean? Probably. Learn how to clean a rug and bring your floor coverings back to life in less than an hour. Area rugs may bring a room together, but they also take a beating, from foot traffic to pets to spills. After a while, vacuuming just isn’t enough to get it truly clean—and that’s when a deep clean is in order.

“You'd be surprised to hear that clean rugs are constantly absorbing indoor air pollutants, and even fumes from gas fireplaces and steam produced while cooking,” says Ali Hafezi Mashhadi vice president of Babash Rug Services in Los Angeles.

Even if you don’t already have washable rugs as part of your decor, knowing how to clean a rug at home is completely doable. There’s no need to hire professional rug cleaners for the task—unless your rug is extremely delicate (for example, an antique rug, Persian rug, or Oriental rug). Read on for expert-approved cleaning tips on how to refresh those well-worn wool rugs so they look as good as they did when you first unrolled them.

What is the best way to clean my rug?

Regular cleaning with a vacuum cleaner and prompt spot-cleaning can go a long way when it comes to helping area rugs look great and last for years, but every rug needs a little bit more attention from time to time. 

The type of rug you own will determine how you maintain and clean it, says Scott Johnston, owner of Carpet Care of the Carolinas in Raleigh, North Carolina. “Natural fiber rugs have to be treated differently than a synthetic rug. No question,” he says. Johnston notes that wool rugs should only be cleaned with a cold water process, which protects the fibers from damage or distortion. “You can be much more aggressive when cleaning synthetic rugs, as they can handle hot water and stronger cleaning solutions,” he continues.

But for some rugs, professional cleaning is always best. “In general, Persian and Oriental rugs, as well as rugs made of silk or viscose, should only be professionally cleaned,” Mashhadi warns.

What tools and supplies do I need to clean an area rug at home?

Here’s exactly what you’ll need to have on hand to complete a successful DIY area rug cleaning:

• Rug shampoo (or mild dish soap)
• Bucket
• Soft-bristle brush or sponge
• Water
• Rubber gloves
• Garden hose
• Wet-dry vacuum

How do you deep-clean an interior rug?

For cleaning your specific area rug, it’s always best to check the manufacturers guidelines, often found on a care label on the underside of a rug. Otherwise the process is quite similar to carpet cleaning. After a spot test (more on that below), here’s the best way to clean wool rugs, shag rugs, and even mats.

Step 1: Clear furniture and objects off of the rug (and take it outside, if possible)

According to Johnston, rugs should be taken out of the home for proper cleaning. “We use a lot of water while cleaning to assure proper soil removal,” he says. “They also have to be dried quickly and properly to assure colors do not fade or run.” Make sure you tackle this DIY project on a sunny day so rain doesn’t threaten the cleaning process. To avoid making a bigger mess, place your rug on a tarp, drop cloth, or large piece of plastic instead of directly onto the ground.

Step 2: Remove dirt and debris

“A great way to prevent stains from happening in the first place is to vacuum your rugs weekly,” says Anjuli Bernstein, senior designer on the Patterson Flynn design team.  “Make sure to use a suction only vacuum, rather than a rotating brush. This is highly effective for removing dirt particles before they sink in, while also remaining gentle on the rug’s fibers.” Thoroughly vacuum the rug on both sides. You want to make sure every last bit of debris is gone. Using a vacuum cleaner with a beater bar is most effective for this task. If you have pets, use the brush attachment to get lingering stray hairs. 

Step 3: Mix the cleaner

Don’t use carpet cleaner or carpet shampoo on your rugs, as the chemicals may be too strong and damage the fibers. Instead, use a rug shampoo, like Bissell Pro Max Clean and Protect, as the cleaning solution. Follow directions for mixing the solution with water.

Alternatively, use mild dish detergent mixed in a bucket with warm water (for synthetic fibers) or cold water (for wool rugs). Do not use hot water, as it can shrink the rug or cause fading.

Step 4: Do a color test

Before you start scrubbing, make sure the cleaner doesn’t cause the dyes or colors to run. Test the solution on the corner or another small area of the rug to make sure it is colorfast. If the color doesn’t bleed, it’s safe to move on to the next step.

5. Wash the rug

Using a sponge or soft-bristle brush, work the cleaning solution into a lather on the rug. Let the cleaner sit on the rug for a five minutes before you start rinsing. Anything less than that and you’ll shortchange the cleaning process. Give it those five minutes to set in and start lifting away dirt.

6. Rinse the rug

Rinse the soap out of the rug using a garden hose or buckets of clean water. Make sure all the cleaning solution is completely removed from the area rug and the runoff water is crystal clear.

7. Remove excess water

At this point, you’ll want to get rid of as much excess water in the rug as you can so it will dry faster. You can use a wet-dry vacuum if you have one, or run a squeegee in the direction of the nap.

8. Let the rug dry

Lay the rug flat and allow the top of the rug to air dry completely. Then, flip it over to let the bottom side dry. Fans can help speed up the process. Make sure the rug is fully dry before you return it to the room.

9. Vacuum or brush out the rug

During the cleaning process, threads and fibers can get compacted and squished. Revive them by running a vacuum over the now-dry rug, or brush with a soft-bristled brush. 

How do you clean area rugs made from fibers like jute?

“You absolutely do not wanna get jute or sisal rugs wet,” Mashhadi says. “They will more than likely start browning.” Instead, he suggests regular vacuuming and gently dusting the rug. For a deep clean, follow these steps.

Take the jute or sisal rug outside and shake it or use a rug beater. Since these rugs have an open weave, the dirt and dust should come out.

If your jute or sisal rug has a stain, skip the dish-soap solutions. Instead, place the rug flat on an even surface and apply dry rug shampoo, Arm & Hammer Dry Carpet Powder Cleaner, or plain baking soda and let absorb for a few hours. Then vacuum it up.

Hang rug up to air out. If taking it outside, make sure it is a sunny day, as the UV rays work as a natural disinfectant and deodorizer.

Bring it back indoors and vacuum, disengaging the beater bars. Keep in mind that vacuuming in the direction of the rug fibers will restore the material and keep it looking like new.

How do you deep-clean a rug by hand?

Be sure to pay extra attention to stubborn stains. Instead of a store-bought stain remover, Johnston recommends using a light soap and water mixture for spills. “Do not use too much, as the soap can buildup and cause more soiling,” he warns. Johnston recommends hydrogen peroxide can be used on blood, red wine, pet stains, and clay mud. Put it in a spray bottle and mist lightly, then wait six to eight hours before you dab it clean. You can also use fresh club soda for lighter stains.

Those who need to wrangle pet stains from an area rug will love Rocco & Roxie Professional Strength Strain & Odor Eliminator. AD tested it to get out a (surprise) accident that was weeks old, and the yellow stain came out of a wool rug in seconds.

For a Persian or Oriental rug, which is typically a hand-knotted wool rug that has densely woven rug fibers, clean with caution. First, check the care label for instructions. “More often than not, small spills turn into huge restoration projects because people use chemicals that can permanently alter the feel of the pile, cause colors to bleed and so forth,” says Omri Schwartz, general manager of Nazmiyal Collection, an antique rug purveyor in New York City. 

You can then shake the rug and beat out the dust. A broomstick can work great here. To spot-clean, apply a small amount of water with a sponge and scrub gently. “Before you do anything, test a small area first to see what happens,” Schwartz say. “When cleaning a [Persian] rug at home, never use chemicals and the harshest solution that you should use is a tiny drop of dish washing solution.” Once the area is clean, dab the Persian rug with clean water to remove soap. Elevate the rug and let air dry. “At the end of the day, if you are not sure what to do, or how to proceed, reach out to a reputable expert before doing anything,” he notes.\

How do you clean a large area rug at home?

Cleaning a large rug can be laborious, but this DIY project is doable for homeowners. Ideally, you will want to move the area rug outside and follow the steps above. You can do this with the help of a partner; the process is easier if you roll it up and carry it out.

If the backyard is not an option, place a large waterproof tarp in the middle of the living room, then relocate your area rug onto the flat surface. The cleaning tips will be similar. First, apply rug shampoo or a solution of mild dish detergent to the rug (sparingly). To remove the sudsy solutions, apply damp towels to absorb the soaps. Because you will not be hosing the soap off indoors, make sure you have a shop vac on hand to absorb the excess water. To air-dry, lift the area rug and place on top of something that helps with air flow, like some chairs (as long as they are not upholstered). Standing fans will help with the process. Once the rug is dry, return to its original spot and vacuum.

My Grandma would beat her rugs clean with a broom. Does this method work?

“Beating out a rug is a great way to dust your rug,” Johnston says. “It works!” He points out that dry soils are a rug's worst enemy, and getting rid of them is important. He suggests hanging the rug over a clothes line or something similar, and using a straw broom or a large leather belt to beat the rug. “You will be surprised at how much debris gets knocked out of it,” he says.

How often should I clean area rugs?

“Rugs filter and trap dirt, gasses, dust mites, bacteria, mold, viruses, dead skin cells, pet debris, and other pollutants between their crevices, then release them back into the air,” Mashhadi says. “And then there’s the obvious tracking of dirt from one’s feet.” Which is why regular maintenance is so important. Weekly vacuuming, more if it’s a heavy traffic area, should be a great place for most homeowners to start. 

As for deep-cleaning, there’s no need to clean rugs on a schedule. Instead, you should just clean the rugs when they are visibly dirty or have an odor. However, given that the UV rays from the sun help in the rug cleaning process, warm spring and summer months are a good time for a refresh.