Although doing a deep cleaning of the house is not one of our favorite activities, we cannot deny that living in a clean and orderly environment, without falling into extreme demands, is healthier. And not only for our body: it also produces mental well-being, helps us relax and be more in tune with our environment.
Taking advantage of the fact that home care and organization are once again a vital trend, and they are also a very Zen concept, we want to answer one of the questions that you ask us the most after buying one of our rugs: And now how do I clean it?
Before getting down to work, it is important that you look at the material. We are not going to clean a jute, cotton rug in the same way as a wool rug. Each one requires specific care to be impeccable.
Our general recommendation is that, at least once a year, you do a professional deep cleaning. It’s a good way to keep your rugs well cared for, but it can be expensive. If you decide to do it yourself, we leave you our cleaning tips
Jute, sisal or coconut fiber rugs
Natural fibers need to be treated delicately. They are not friends of humidity, so we cannot think of using the washing machine or submerging them in water, in this case. What would the process to clean natural fiber look like? It will depend on the stain:
For stubborn stains it works quickly
Water, mild soap (the kind that your mother used) and a soft bristle brush. Rub gently until the stain comes out. Remove excess moisture by pressing with a towel, then air dry. This will prevent mold from appearing.
When you vacuum, remember your rug
This way you will avoid that the dust enters deep into the fibers and it will always be perfect. Vacuuming twice a week is enough to take care of your fiber carpet.
If liquid falls, absorption and drying
Take a cloth or towel and place it over the stain to absorb the liquid as soon as possible. Don’t give in to the temptation to rub. You will only be able to spread the stain and damage the fiber. Dry properly to avoid mold.
Solid stains?
If the stain is solid, carefully scrape it off with a dull knife. Use a stiff bristle brush to deepen your scraping. You just have to vacuum and go.
The dreaded mold
The best thing you can do to prevent mold is to keep your carpet away from moisture: from outdoors to freshly mopped floors. But once it appears, spray the stain with a mixture of water and bleach (following a ratio of 6 parts water to 1 bleach). Brush with a soft brush and dry with a cloth. If it is not completely gone, repeat the process.
Have a dry cleaning kit ready
If the stain is really tough, use a dry cleaning kit. They usually contain specific products to deal with the most difficult stains. But remember it is only for emergencies. It is not convenient to use them daily.
Correct maintenance prevents bad odors
If airing and vacuuming your carpet is part of your cleaning routine, you shouldn’t have odor problems, but sometimes they do appear over time. If that’s the case, mix baking soda with a few drops of your favorite essential oil and apply it to the carpet. Then it only remains to vacuum.
Wool rugs
Apart from vacuuming often to avoid the accumulation of dust, we should remove stains as they occur. But what can we use?
Kitchen salt
How you hear it. One of the solutions has always been on your kitchen counter. Salt allows you to disinfect and remove stains from carpets. You only need to sprinkle it on its surface, roll the carpet on itself and leave it to act for a few hours. After that time, vacuum to remove the residue.
Sparkling water or hydrogen peroxide
If a stain has just occurred, act quickly and put hydrogen peroxide or sparkling water on the stain. Let it act and don’t rub it. Then, dry it with a cloth or towel.
White vinegar
Don’t worry about the smell, because once the vinegar dries, it goes away. You just have to apply it on the carpet diluted in water. And it also serves as a disinfectant.
Ammonia
Dilute a little ammonia in water and put the mixture in a steamer to apply it on the carpet. Quiet, as with vinegar, the smell also disappears in no time.
Sodium bicarbonate or talcum powder
They are ideal for absorbing oils or fats. Remove the liquid with a paper towel, without rubbing, and sprinkle on the stain. Let it soak up the rest and dry. Then, it only remains to vacuum to remove the remains. Baking soda also absorbs bad foods and kills bacteria.
Cotton rugs
Cotton rugs are your favorite when it comes to maintenance, because if their size and weight allow it, they can be machine washed at a maximum of 30 degrees. Of course, remember to take into account that when wet, its weight increases considerably, so as not to endanger the drum of the washing machine.
If your washing machine does not support so much weight, you can always go to an industrial laundry or use the natural products recommended for wool rugs.
Clean and well-cared for rugs help create a warm and welcoming home environment. A place to relax, play with the children, meditate or lie down to read. Are they just a decorative element for you or something more functional? Let us know with a comment or tell us if you have any questions about the washing process. Have a Fhygge day