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Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Do it Yourself Discussion! => Topic started by: Bumblebee7 on December 01, 2017, 05:16:04 PM

Title: DIY Newbie- Help with Rug Cleaning
Post by: Bumblebee7 on December 01, 2017, 05:16:04 PM
Hello MMM world! This is my first post-- I'm a MMM newbie but learning lots.

I bought a handmade area rug off of Craigslist for $30. It's a beautiful rug but it's pretty discolored and also seems to be pilling, resulting in lots of vacuuming/cleaning but no discernable results. Any suggestions? I live in an apartment so no backyard or secure place to dry outside.

Thank you all!
Title: Re: DIY Newbie- Help with Rug Cleaning
Post by: AMandM on December 01, 2017, 08:53:56 PM
have you tried a rug shampooing machine, the kind that you can rent at grocery stores? They are designed to suck enough water out of the rug so that it can dry while lying on the floor.
Title: Re: DIY Newbie- Help with Rug Cleaning
Post by: AMandM on December 01, 2017, 08:54:27 PM
P.S. Welcome to the forum!
Title: Re: DIY Newbie- Help with Rug Cleaning
Post by: Hotstreak on December 02, 2017, 12:15:48 PM
have you tried a rug shampooing machine, the kind that you can rent at grocery stores? They are designed to suck enough water out of the rug so that it can dry while lying on the floor.


Agreed, these machines work really well.  I got an old rug a friend had kept in their garage, with lots of nasty stains, and after cleaning it's almost like new.  It was $45 for the day including detergent, which made sense for me since my home is carpeted and I also used it to clean some upholstery. 
Title: Re: DIY Newbie- Help with Rug Cleaning
Post by: paddedhat on December 03, 2017, 09:11:56 AM
have you tried a rug shampooing machine, the kind that you can rent at grocery stores? They are designed to suck enough water out of the rug so that it can dry while lying on the floor.


Agreed, these machines work really well.  I got an old rug a friend had kept in their garage, with lots of nasty stains, and after cleaning it's almost like new.  It was $45 for the day including detergent, which made sense for me since my home is carpeted and I also used it to clean some upholstery.

Proprietary brand shampoo, off the rack next to the rental machines,  is at least 4-6 times as expensive as "Awesome" brand all purpose cleaner, sold at various dollar stores.  Awesome is a bright yellow liquid, sold is semi-clear, milk jug colored plastic bottles. Directions for proper dilution for carpet machines are on the bottle, and it works as good, or better than the Rug Doctor or Bissell branded stuff.
Title: Re: DIY Newbie- Help with Rug Cleaning
Post by: Sibley on December 03, 2017, 11:02:09 AM
make sure to rinse really well. If you leave soap in, it'll attract dirt.
Title: Re: DIY Newbie- Help with Rug Cleaning
Post by: FiftyIsTheNewTwenty on December 06, 2017, 11:04:35 PM
Yes, rinse well. With a rug this size you can do a better job outside with a garden hose than you could ever do with a carpet machine (which are basically just a vacuum, and will leave some residue).  Rinse with a strong jet 'til the water runs clear, with no soap bubbles.

Also, the beater brushes in the carpet machine can cause pilling.

What's it made of?  If it's synthetic it probably doesn't matter much what soap you use, but if it's wool you definitely want to be careful.  For the former, I've used plain dish soap, and for the latter, baby shampoo.
Title: Re: DIY Newbie- Help with Rug Cleaning
Post by: JoeyPeter on December 14, 2017, 01:19:41 AM
My two cents: Don't go for pressure washing rugs. It may destroy certain types of fibers. Most area rugs are made from natural fibers and if they are higher end. Once they are damp/wet, Don't let the rug touch itself.