There can’t be many households where there isn’t at least one area rug, and the majority of homes have several. Yet it’s surprising given the prevalence of these common items just how little thought people give to the actual costs of owning them after purchase. The inconvenience and expense of keeping them clean is seldom considered when their cheerful colors and lustrous pile are clamoring for the attention of the potential purchasers, who often find themselves disappointed by the difficulties of keeping their lovely rugs clean and so it’s no time at all before they’re replacing them. Washable rugs rarely disappoint in this way, as their freshness is very easily restored.
Why Washable Rugs Can Sometimes Mean Work
It’s worth keeping in mind that there are many degrees of ‘washable’, and you do need to check the label of rugs for details before purchasing. For some manufacturers the term can simply mean that the item will not be damaged by the water when wiping with a wet cloth or even by scrubbing hard with a soapy brush, but that putting it in the washing machine is strongly discouraged. This is often the case with rugs made from coarse, natural fibers – keeping a clean jute rug, for example, can be tricky. Machine washable rugs are at the other end of the scale, and usually have a much less absorbent surface area and so will not take on board so much water that the weight damages your machine. Read the label and stick to the instructions supplied, even if your rug looks like it will survive a spin in the machine fairly easily. Rugs are often labeled as ‘hand wash only’ not because you risk harming the rug by ignoring the label, but because you risk harming your much more expensive washing machine.
Washable Area Rugs And Runners
The ability to easily keep your rugs clean means that you can change the look of your rooms several times a year with ease, or swap lighter rugs for heavier rugs as the weather changes, storing out of season spares away. Color can have a huge effect on mood according to temperature – ice blue lightweight washable throw rugs draped over your sofas may be just the visual cue you need to take the cloying edge off the heat during the summer, but during the colder months the sight of a cozy deep red or cinnamon color is likely to lift your spirits more.
Washable Kitchen Rugs And Bathroom Rugs
Kitchens and bathrooms are obvious rooms in which to use area rugs and runners, and clearly these are areas of the home where you must insist on having these rugs washable. What’s often less evident is that natural fibers will absorb oils, grease, cooking spills and cosmetics with much more ease than other materials. Not only does this make for rugs that need much more frequent washing, it can create ingrained stains that are a lot harder to shift. In heavy traffic areas like these where spills are much more likely than not, you can save yourself a lot of effort by favoring synthetics for washable kitchen rugs or bathroom rugs.
As we’ve seen, choosing washable rugs is a job that is not without pitfalls, but since it can have an effect on a range of things from your mood to your bank balance, it’s something that’s worth putting at least a little effort into. This will help to reward you with a home you can spend time enjoying, rather than continually cleaning.
A clean jute rug doesn’t feature highly in many memories. Most people’s recollections will be of the grim jute mats that graced the doorways of schools, emitting clouds of dust as hordes of children stampeded across them in their rush to escape at the end of the day, and revealing a neat oblong of grime and ingrained dirt beneath them whenever they were moved. This is a shame, because jute rugs have a lot to offer. As well as being hard wearing, they are bio-degradable and will go with absolutely anything. Fortunately, we can avoid giving a home to the dirt traps we remember from childhood, yet still take advantage of the more appealing features of jute if we’re to prepared to sacrifice a little of the convenience generally associated with more typical washable area rugs.
Are Jute Rugs Washable?
Jute does not respond well to water, which will quickly cause the fibers to swell, shrink, and break. However, while saturation is to be avoided at all costs, much can be achieved with surface cleaning using the minimum of water. For our purposes, not all water is created equal and we can use water that comes with an added boost. This is carbonated water, or Club Soda. The process of carbonation leaves the water with a slightly higher PH content, making it a little more acidic and giving it the same value as cleaning with white vinegar or lemon juice. The action of any air bubbles in the liquid should also help the dirt ‘fizz’ to the surface, although the effect of this is likely to be minor since most bubbles will have burst and evaporated on contact with the cleaning cloth.
Cleaning Jute Rugs
First, vacuum your rug thoroughly. Turn the rug and repeat, then turn and repeat again. This ensures that you’ve removed any excess dirt before you start, and have begun to loosen what remains. Take your cleaning cloth, which should be white to avoid the risk of transferring any dye to your rug, and add a small amount of Club Soda. Test on an inconspicuous part of the jute first. Is any dye from the rug transferring to the cloth? If so, you will obviously need to treat the whole rug otherwise it will be patchy once clean. If not, you can just treat the stains. Always use as little liquid as possible. If you think you need to add a little more, wait a few minutes before you do, as often the passage of time will assist you first, letting the water that you’ve already used soak up more grime before you simply wipe it away. Work from the outside edge of stains towards the inside of them, otherwise they could easily spread and become bigger.
Jute rugs should always be dried quickly, as like most natural fibers, jute is susceptible to mold and mildew, both of which are very difficult to remove. Drying can be made quicker and easier with the careful use of a hairdryer on a low heat setting. Always dry jute rugs flat, as they can become warped and misshapen if hung out to dry.
A Clean Jute Rug
When jute rugs are thrown out or replaced, it’s usually because little or no attempt has ever been made to clean it, and it’s now become too far gone for cleaning to have much impact on years of embedded dirt. Seldom is a jute rug thrown away because it’s falling apart. It therefore makes sense to make keeping your jute rug clean and free of stains a priority, rather than aiming to clean it whenever it seems sufficiently dirty. Jute rugs should be vacuumed regularly, and should also be turned frequently and the other side used too (both sides are typically the same). Spills should be addressed immediately, particularly with regard to pet accidents, as time is often the only difference between a spill and a stain. If odor is a problem, this can usually be absorbed with bicarbonate of soda. Leave overnight and then vacuum the following day, repeating the process again as necessary.
Washable rugs are seldom as durable and sturdy as jute, and sometimes it’s a matter of deciding whether extreme hard wear or extreme easy care is the most important to you. However, the majority of the problems associated with cleaning jute rugs can be attributed to allowing dirt to build up over time, and failing to act quickly in the case of spills. Simply vacuuming once or twice a week and treating spills as they happen should allow you to enjoy all the benefits of your jute rug for many years to come.
Many people perceive the job of cleaning a shag rug to be a difficult one, and it’s this perception that leads to the task being put off for longer and longer, until you’re looking at an impossibly gray, matted tangle and the culmination of a self fulfilling prophecy. The trick to keeping your shaggy rug in the same beautiful, fluffy condition that it was when you brought it home from the store is to pay regular and frequent attention to keeping it clean before it gets too dirty, but there are ways of tackling the build up of grime or even the consequences of sudden accidents. These methods are to be used at your own risk, although they’ve been proven effective many times. Always test on a small piece of the rug which won’t be seen first.
How To Clean A Shaggy Rug
If you’ve opted for machine washable rugs, you’re already ahead of the pack and tossing your rug into the machine will likely solve your problem. If not, the important thing to realize is that superficial cleaning will not be enough. The dirt below the surface will simply rise to the top whenever the rug is beaten by the feet of people walking on it. Ground-in dirt will remain at the base of fibers causing unpleasant smells. Before attempting to clean the rug, you must hang it over a fence or clothes line and beat as much of this dirt out as possible. Once this is done, vacuum the rug thoroughly to remove the last traces of dust.
Assuming your rug is at least hand washable, the most effective product is probably carpet shampoo. Obviously carpet cleaning machines are available, and if using one you must use the appropriate product, which foams rather less than conventional carpet shampoo. If you’re doing the job without a machine, you’ll need the additional foam, and indeed it’s the foam that must be applied to the rug rather than the water that sits beneath it. Apply with a sponge to generate more lather, scrubbing vigorously. Allow to dry and vacuum again.
A solution of white vinegar in warm water is also an effective cleaning agent, but bicarbonate of soda brushed through in the same way you would a dry shampoo can also make a big difference if you are certain your rug will not tolerate water.
Cleaning A Shag Rug To Remove Smells
Accidents will happen even to the most well kept of rugs, and pet mishaps are probably the most common. This can lead to a rug that looks unblemished to the eye of the closest observer, but assaults the nostrils of anyone unlucky enough to enter the room, however much you attempt to clean it. This is best dealt with by sprinkling the offending area with bicarbonate of soda and leaving overnight before vacuuming. Repeat the process if necessary.
Cleaning A Shag Rug To Remove Gum
Of course, pets aren’t the only threat to shaggy rugs in busy households. Most parents of children or teenagers know only too well the sinking feeling associated with spotting a lump of chewing gum or Sticky Tack (the stuff used to fix posters to the wall) embedded in the carpet. The traditional advice for removing chewing gum from rugs or carpets is to freeze it until solid by rubbing with an ice cube and then chipping away at it until it’s all gone, but it’s far easier to blast the gum with a couple of brief squirts of WD40. Rub with a cloth for a few seconds, and the gum melts away from even the shaggiest rug as if it were never there. This has also been found to work with Sticky Tack (as well as the odd aged black blob which could once have been anything!) and the results are amazing. Be extra careful to do a spot test though, as it stands to reason that something so effective at melting sticky substances might melt the rug, but experience suggests that it’s unlikely.
It’s useful to know how to clean a shag rug when disasters strike like those outlined above, but in the normal course of events you will get more from your shaggy rug if you stick to a regular cleaning schedule before it gets too grim, as there will come a point when it’s very difficult – if not impossible to restore it. Put some muscle behind getting rid of loose dirt, and then let your cleaning solution do the rest of the work.
There was a time when giving your room a cheap face lift wasn’t easy, and even now it still has it’s difficulties. Large furnishings, carpets and wall coverings are costly, so what’s the solution? Accent rugs! Traditionally, this meant rugs in dark colors or busy designs that would not show the dirt, because cleaning them effectively wasn’t possible, and replacing them was expensive. With the advent of modern technology, manufacturing costs are cheaper, meaning prices are lower, and we can make many rugs look as good as new with a quick wash in the machine, making bright, bold colors practical.
Washable Accent Rugs
Ease of cleaning should be the most important factor in your choice of accent rugs if you’re to get value for your money. Washable accent rugs prevent you from having to make the same choice and spending the same money all over again a few months down the line, when you discover your lovely new rug showing all the burden of heavy traffic on the front, and a label which says ‘Do not wash’ on the back. That said, don’t assume that all washable rugs can be washed in the machine. Some can only be hand washed, so make sure the label confirms it.
Washable Braided Rugs
A inexpensive solution is to make your own washable rugs from long braids of fabric, coiled around in a round, flat shape, stitching as you go. Because these can only be hand stitched they are not always the most hard wearing, but sewing them to a piece of backing fabric once you’ve reached the desired size can help, and they are ideal for low traffic areas. Pre-wash all fabric before making them up to avoid the uneven shrinkage which causes puckering. Once they’re washed after construction, make sure that they are thoroughly dried as otherwise they will be prone to mold and mildew. Drying washable accent rugs such as these can take time, due to the density of the braids.
Washable Bathroom Rugs
It’s because of this and the volume of water that is usually sloshed around in the bathroom that washable rugs for the bathroom are probably best produced commercially, and specially purchased for the purpose. It’s best to avoid natural fibers such cotton in the bathroom, as their absorbency will mean that they need much more frequent washing. However, synthetic washable bath rugs are available which look and feel just like the real thing. Soft and fluffy woolen shag pile rugs in particular have some great synthetic imitators.
Washable accent rugs take a lot of the drudgery out of running a beautiful home. Since they’re small enough to store and it’s no longer necessary to keep replacing them, you can recycle them instead, putting one away when you get tired of looking at it and then bringing it out to enjoy a new lease of life again when you get bored with it’s replacement. You can even keep a set of washable accent rugs in warm colors for winter and another in cooler colors for summer, so that you can regularly update your look throughout the year.
Kitchen area rugs make fabulous decorative accents, and are a great way of ringing the changes. Because of this it’s easy to forget when caught up in our enthusiasm to decide between blue, green, cottage or contemporary that such rugs will be placed in high traffic areas, and that kitchen rugs should be washable before anything else is taken into consideration. Washable kitchen rugs are particularly necessary because this is the area of the home which threatens rugs with a wider range of stains and debris than almost any other.
Why You Need Washable Kitchen Area Rugs
It’s possible that you’re thinking of placing your rugs somewhere in the kitchen that’s outside the main food preparation area, and that washable kitchen rugs won’t be necessary because they won’t be the direct targets of food spillages. Think again. If you’ve ever wiped down the tops of wall hung kitchen cabinets you’ll know that all surfaces in the kitchen will attract a film of grease and need to be properly cleaned periodically. How long that period of time is depends on how accessible that surface is and how frequently it’s seen. For rugs, that means frquently, so washable rugs for the kitchen are essential.
Machine Washable Kitchen Rugs
As has already been mentioned, kitchen area rugs are not just decorative and do serve a purpose. You don’t want your floor to be without yours for lengthy periods while you struggle to wash and dry them, and finding space to dry large items like rugs is usually a chore anyway. Be sure to check the label and choose machine washable rugs so you can save yourself all that inconvenience.
Never be tempted to put non-machine washable kitchen rugs in your machine though, even if you’re not worried about damaging them because they’re so shabby that the only alternative would be to replace them anyway. They can soak up huge amounts of water, making them so heavy that they’re likely to damage the drum of your machine and land you with a cost much higher than that of a new rug.
Washable Cotton Kitchen Rugs And Other Natural Materials
Pre-shrunk washable cotton kitchen rugs are popular at the moment, but these and other washable kitchen rugs made from natural fibers to tend to absorb spills more readily, meaning they have to be washed more frequently. Synthetic fibers often repel spills, or at least allow them to penetrate so slowly that you can usually just wipe them off before they do. In general, they’re also less likely to fade with each wash too. Color and pattern make a difference as well, as dark colors won’t show stains so readily and intricate patterns can go a long way towards disguising them. You do need to throw rugs into the machine occasionally though, as color and pattern can’t kill germs or hide smells.
There isn’t much to choosing washable kitchen rugs, but taking the trouble to do it properly can make a big difference to the comfort, convenience and visual appeal of your home.
People buy area rugs for a great many reasons, and it’s surprising that they’re often so keen to get them down on the floor that they’ll part with their cash with no thought for the care they might need afterward. As a consequence, having failed to realize that they need washable area rugs in most instances, the rugs that once seemed so appealing quickly become dirty and smelly, and with no easy way of cleaning them the only option is to throw them out and spend the same money twice. Sometimes you’re lucky enough to discover that you can dry clean your area rug, but it all adds to the inconvenience and expense.
Machine Washable Area Rugs.
This is definitely an area where smart consumers prize convenience at least as highly as looks, and if you’re to avoid hours of scrubbing as well as the hassle of contending with a large item taking up space while it dries, you’d be well advised to choose machine washable area rugs every time. Don’t try putting yours in the machine if the label doesn’t specify that it’s suitable for this though, as most engineers can readily identify the bits of foam backing that will clog pipes and invalidate your guarantee. Even a rug without such a backing can be heavy enough when wet to overload your machine and cause damage to the drum.
Large Washable Area Rugs
Of course, many area rugs won’t fit in the machine because of their sheer size. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t put them in the machine though, and many large area rugs are labeled as machine washable. You just need to find a bigger machine, and most commercial laundries will have one. Some rugs will fit in a domestic machine despite the fact that they cover a large area, simply because they’re thinner. If you’re having problems keeping your rug clean because of it’s size, you can still keep it fragrant with a little scented carpet freshener. As far as stains on non-washable area rugs are concerned, if you’ve nothing to lose and are willing to take any risk, then after mopping up as much of the spill as you can you can try sprinkling cat litter on to absorb the rest. It should be possible to simply dab away spills on large washable area rugs with a solution of washing detergent – always read the label.
Washable Cotton Area Rugs
Natural fabrics are very much in vogue at the moment, and washable cotton rugs are hugely popular. However, natural fibers such as cotton or wool absorb more readily than they repel, which usually means that they have to be cleaned more frequently, especially in areas where heavy traffic and spills are common. Washable kitchen rugs in particular are more effective if they are made from synthetic fibers.
It costs little on the face of it to ring the changes with an area rug, and sometimes it can even alter the entire character of a room for the better. Do make sure though that you take the future cleaning of your purchase into consideration when buying, as the hidden cost of this can push the price up substantially. Washable area rugs will serve you well and are a convenient way of saving yourself lots of money in the long run
It looked great in the store – deep, vibrant colors and the kind of fluffy and luxurious pile you feel that you could blissfully sink your whole body into. You can scarcely part with your cash quickly enough. Just six months on, and the colors are fighting to be seen through a layer of gritty gray grime. That decadent pile has become a matted and flattened tangle, and the whole thing is beginning to smell a little too.There were plenty of machine washable rugs available when you bought it, but you didn’t think to check the label, and this one isn’t. Scrubbing at it with soap and water seems to make little impact on the dirt, so you’ve no real choice but to buy new all over again.
Machine Washable Rugs Make Life So Much Easier
As well as making life easier, machine washable rugs also work out substantially cheaper whatever their price at the point of purchase, because you don’t have to consider the future costs of professional cleaning. Even large machine washable rugs can often fit in one of the machines at a commercial laundry, which is often a much cheaper solution than hiring a machine or having a company come out to you to clean the rug.
Machine Washable Area Rugs For Fast Home Makeovers
Most gardeners will agree that few things give a garden a visual overhaul more quickly than mowing the lawn, and the principle is just the same indoors with area rugs and expanses of floor. Machine washable area rugs mean you can give your home an appropriate look with every season, for example choosing fresh, earthy colors for spring, sea blues or sun warming terracotta during the summer months or shades of deep red or green at Christmas, storing unused rugs away out of season. Large lightweight machine washable throw rugs are also great when thrown over sofas and used in the same way.
No Home Should Be Without Machine Washable Kitchen Rugs
It’s a rare home where the kitchen doesn’t generate more than it’s fair share of dirt and grease, and this is one room in the home where you definitely need machine washable rugs. Anything else will have to be replaced far too frequently to be cost effective. Opt for synthetic fibers here rather than machine washable cotton rugs or other natural fibers, as they absorb dirt rapidly and will need to be washed often. If your rugs still look clean but you’re worried about them harboring germs or smells, a quick blast with a steam cleaner should eliminate these without the need to put them in the washing machine.
Evidently, machine washable rugs are so essential that realistically there’s no other option. Fortunately the range is vast. Machine washable runner rugs, throw rugs and all kinds of other variants come in a huge array of colors, patterns and fibers. Not all will be suitable in every instance, as it’s important not to overwhelm small rooms with a large pattern, and small patterns can get lost in larger rooms, but there is almost certain to be something out there that’s just right for you and your home.
Contemporary throw rugs can be an invaluable item for the home, and as far as you’re concerned, the one you’re eagerly about to put down on the floor for the first time is no exception. It’s modern, attractive, durable and has a pattern that can co-ordinate with a wide range of color schemes, so you’re satisfied that it will last years. Sadly, you’ve failed to notice the ‘dry clean only’ label attached to the underside, and when this proves to be too much trouble it’s only a matter of months before you’re reaching for your wallet to fork out for a new one to replace it. Contemporary throw rugs may seem invaluable, but contemporary washable throw rugs are indispensable.
Washable Throw Rugs
It’s hugely important to be able to simply toss a throw rug into the washing machine. Even if you’re willing to take into account the expense of future dry cleaning, it’s probably safe to say that you’ll be unhappy with the inconvenience. A wait of just a few days for an appropriate gap in your busy schedule to take your rug to the cleaners after a heavy spill can cause it to smell, and even worse, mold and mildew may set in which can be difficult to remove, or even impossible. After a quick scrub and a soak in the suds, washable throw rugs can be back down on the floor within a matter of hours, looking as good as new.
Machine Washable Throw Rugs
Of course, for greater speed and efficiency machine washable throw rugs are even better. Don’t assume that because your throw rug is washable, it’s recommended that you do it in the machine. Check the label first, as larger rugs with a heavy pile can hold a volume of water that will be too heavy for your machine, and for this reason it is recommended that you wash them buy hand. Some foam backed throw rugs can be a problem too, with the drum speed of the machine causing pieces to break off and clog the pipes. It is a rare throw rug which costs more to replace than a washing machine, so it’s just not worth taking the chance.
Washable Cotton Throw Rugs
It’s wise to consider where you’re thinking of putting washable cotton throw rugs before spending your money. If their intended destination is the kitchen, bathroom or some other damp or heavy traffic area, bear in mind that they are more absorbent than many other rugs and so will need washing a lot more often. Such areas of your home will probably benefit more from synthetic throw rugs, which need to be washed less frequently. Some need no washing at all, with a wipe down with hot, soapy water being all that’s necessary.
Washable throw rugs can make the world of difference to busy home makers. They add to the brightness and style of your home without adding to that familiar feeling that you’re constantly cleaning it. As long as you’re aware of the potential pitfalls outlined above and always check the label when buying, there’s no reason why the rug you choose for your home won’t grace it beautifully for years.
Buy Washable Rugs
We've rounded up some of the best selling and most popular washable rugs below.
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