How to Get Stains of Your Area Rug
At Flooring 101, we love area rugs. More than just a budget-friendly way to update your flooring, we believe that area rugs can help to elevate any room in a home. Comfortable, versatile, and featuring sound-reducing properties, area rugs offer several impressive benefits to homeowners looking to modernize their flooring.
Available in various colors, patterns, sizes, designs, and materials, area rugs continue to be one of the most sought-after flooring options on the market today. And for good reason!
With all that said, area rugs are vulnerable to spills, stains, and general wear & tear. Like most flooring in our homes, area rugs are forced to take on a lot. Whether it be from our pets, our children, or ourselves, we know that accidents are bound to happen within the home and on our area rugs. And it is with this fact in mind we also recognize the importance of knowing how to respond when spills, stains, and messes do occur.
In this blog, we’ll highlight our tips for removing stains from area rugs:
Be proactive
While this blog is meant to address ways to get stains out of area rugs after they have occurred, you can avoid the issue altogether by putting yourself and your family in a position where stains are less likely to happen.
Doing small things like placing rugs at the entrances of your home, asking guests to remove their shoes, and limiting the amount of food and drink that you consume on your area rug can all play a role in helping to prevent area rug spills and stains.
When a spill takes place, be reactive
When a spill takes place, the key is to move quickly.
For liquid spills, find yourself a clean cloth and try to absorb as much of the substance as possible. Be sure to select a cloth or towel you’re not concerned about damage. Once you’ve sufficiently absorbed the substance, find another cloth and blot out the stain with a commercial cleaning solution or a homemade solution of your preference. When using a commercial stain remover, you should first consult your manufacturer’s guidelines to avoid potential damage to your area rug.
For a homemade solution, consider opting for a combination of water and liquid detergent. Vinegar has also been known to remove stains. When trying unknown substances on your area rug, it is best to test the substance first.
Once you’ve applied your cleaning mixture and sufficiently blotted it, let the rug sit for 10-20 minutes. From there, you can decide if you’re pleased with the removal or if more scrubbing is needed.
If stains persist, so should you!
You may need to opt for more serious solutions for more severe stains. An ammonia-based solution can sometimes help with more severe stains. Again, consulting your manufacturer for advice or approved cleaners is a great idea when working to maintain your area rug.
As a last-ditch effort, you could consider purchasing or renting a carpet cleaner to help remove the stain once and for all. However, we recommend pursuing less costly options before going this route.
Area rugs are a fantastic flooring option that offers homeowners the ability to breathe new life into a room at a price that won’t break the bank. By following this guide on stain removal and our area rug care & maintenance recommendations, you can help keep your area rug looking great for years to come.
Are you interested in learning more about area rugs or perhaps interested in shopping our massive selection of ornate area rugs? The team of experts at Flooring 101 is waiting to assist you. Contact us today!
