Areas rugs are a decorative piece that provide comfort and warmth to almost any room but keeping them looking fresh and odour free can be challenging. With our handy rug cleaning and care tips, you can keep your carpets looking spotless and all without the professional cleaning service price tag.

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Jump to:

• How to Clean Each Type of Rug Material
• Cotton and Synthetic Fibre Area Rugs
• Wool Area Rugs
• Jute, Sisal and Bamboo Area Rugs
• Delicate or Antique Area Rugs
• How to Remove Odours From a Rug

How to Clean Each Type of Rug Material

Rugs need to be vacuumed regularly and spot-cleaned whenever there is a stain. They should also be deep-cleaned at least once per year. Always consult your rug's care label to see if it should be dry-cleaned, hand-washed or spot-cleaned only.

Cotton and Synthetic Fibre Area Rugs

If your rug is small enough, it can be placed inside your washing machine. Use a cold setting on a delicate cycle and allow it to air-dry.

If your rug is too big for the machine, you can deep-clean it by hand. We recommend doing this on a warm, sunny day as you'll need to bring it outside for washing and drying.

What You'll Need:

• Vacuum cleaner
• Broom
• Carpet shampoo or liquid dish soap
• Tarp
• Laundry drying rack
• Hose
• Soft-bristle brush
• Towels

Step 1: Vacuum Your Rug

Vacuum the top of the rug, then flip it over and vacuum the back side as the back of the rug also collects dust and dirt.

Step 2: Take Your Rug Outside

Once outside, unroll your rug and prop it over a fence or porch railing. With a broom, whack the back of the rug to see if any more dirt comes off. If you see dirt clouds escaping, keep whacking the rug until you can't see the clouds of dust and dirt anymore. However, if your rug has a latex backing, avoid whacking it too hard as this may damage the latex.

Step 3: Shampoo Your Rug

Lay your rug down on a tarp or deck, making sure that it is close to a water supply such as a garden hose. Follow the directions on the label of your carpet shampoo as some shampoos require mixing with warm water. If you don’t have any carpet shampoo, you can take a bucket and make your own solution of warm water and a tablespoon of mild, liquid dish soap. Before washing your entire rug, first spot-test the shampoo or solution in a small area of the rug to make sure the colours don’t bleed into each other.

If the colours have bled, take the rug to a dry cleaner. If the colours have stayed the same, take your hose and rinse the rug. Pour the soap solution onto a sturdy, soft-bristle brush and work it into the rug. Let the rug sit for five minutes before rinsing it off.

Step 4: Dry Your Rug

Use a towel to soak up as much of the excess water as possible, then let your rug air-dry outside on a laundry drying rack. This could take 24 hours or more, so if you can't leave the rug outside for a long time, move it to your garage, basement or laundry room to continue air-drying.

Step 5: Vacuum Your Rug Again

Place the rug back in its place and vacuum it again.

Wool Area Rugs

What You'll Need:

• Sponge
• Laundry detergent made for wool
• 2 buckets
• Broom
• Towels

Step 1: Vacuum Your Rug

Vacuum the front and back of the rug. If you have the setting, turn off the beater bar as this will damage the fine fibres of a wool rug.

Step 2: Bring Your Rug Outside

Bring the rug outside and prop it over a railing or fence. With a broom, whack the back of the rug to get more dirt out. Repeat until you don't see any more dirt clouds.

Step 3: Wash Your Rug

Before washing, make sure to first move your hand across the rug. Sliding in one direction will feel soft, while the other will feel rough. Always wash in the direction of the soft side by using a damp sponge without completely soaking the rug's fibers, otherwise these can become damaged.

In a bucket, mix cold water and a tablespoon of laundry detergent made specifically for wool. Take a second bucket and fill it with cold water. Dampen your sponge in the detergent and water solution and test a small area of the rug to make sure the colours don't bleed. If the colours do bleed, take the rug to a dry cleaner. If they haven't bled, continue washing the entire rug in small sections.

Step 4: Rinse Your Rug

Dampen your sponge in the second bucket of cold water and lightly dab the rug to rinse it. Be careful not to soak the rug.

Step 5: Dry Your Rug

With clean towels, soak up the excess water in the rug. Then allow it to air-dry.

Jute, Sisal and Bamboo Area Rugs

Since water weakens the fibres of these types of rugs, it is best to not deep clean them. For regular cleaning, vacuum the top and bottom of the rug, as well as the floor underneath the rug.

To remove stains, dip a microfibre cloth into a mixture of warm water and a tablespoon of laundry detergent. Then blot the stain and rinse with warm water. Blot it dry with a clean cloth and allow it to air-dry.

Delicate or Antique Area Rugs

If you have a delicate or antique rug, consult a professional to ensure it is cleaned correctly.

How To Remove Odours From a Rug

If your rug is starting to emit an odour, sprinkle baking soda over the top of it. Allow the baking soda to sit for 15 minutes, then vacuum.

Tip: For more rug cleaning and care know how, check out

• How to Care for Your Rug so That it Lasts Longer
• The Best Way to Clean a Shag Rug
• These are the Most Pet-Friendly Rugs Out There