Do you have an Area Rug?

How to Clean an Area Rug

For a lot of us, area rugs make a big difference in our room. It can add color for function; keep a cold floor warm on your feet. Rugs provide a soft place for family and friends to sit and play games, watch movies, or just sit and have a good visit with a glass of red wine. Rugs can be a big investment for many of us and we want it to last as long as it can. But at some point, our area rug is bound to suffer a few stains. And while you could send it off for a professional to care for it, it won’t be cheap. If you are willing to put in the time and energy, you can care for your rug at home. Here is a handy dandy do-it-yourself** guide that will help keep your area rug lasting you and your family for many years.





Materials and Tools Needed:

Vacuum

Rubber gloves (if you want)

Rug cleaner or mild dish detergent

Bucket

Sponge

Soft bristled brush

Squeegee

Water—lots and lots of water (get that water hose out!) or Power washer

Tarp



DIRECTIONS

1. Prepare Your Rug

You are going to want to thoroughly vacuum your rug Do this on both sides to remove any loose dirt, hair, fur. Also, You will want to check and see what the care instructions are for your rug. Knowing what type of material it is made of is half the battle!



2. Test for Colorfastness

Be sure to follow the mixing instructions on a store-bought rug cleaner or you can add a couple of capfuls of mild dish detergent to a bucket of warm water. It would be best not to use hot water, as it may shrink fibers or fade color. Test the solution on a small part of the rug to make sure it doesn’t make the colors run. If there is a part of the rug that typically stays hidden, this would be the best place to test.  Proceed to the next step if everything is okay and if not, hand it over to a professional.



3. Cleaning

You can use a sponge or brush for this step depending on the stain or condition of the rug. Work a lather of shampoo or detergent deep into the rug. Allow the solution to sit on the rug and work for several minutes before rinsing.



4. Rinsing

Use a garden hose and thoroughly rinse the rug. You will want to make sure the water is running off the rug clear to ensure all of the cleaning product is rinsed out. If you own one, a power washer would work great as well. Just be sure to rinse out all of the cleaner or soap before drying.



5. Remove Excess Water

Grab the squeegee to squeeze out as much water from the rug as you can. Be sure to work only in the direction of the rug’s nap.



6. Drying

Lay your rug flat to dry, you can use a tarp to lay the rug on so it does not get dirt or grass on it. Once the top side is dry, flip it over so the bottom can dry as well.



7. Vacuum

Use a vacuum or soft-bristled brush to loosen up the fibers on the rug. This will bring new life back to it. Return your rug to the room and enjoy! Follow these steps to revive all of your rugs, large or small, in your home. Daily foot traffic can make a rug look dingy, but this simple remedy can make it easy to make look like new again.



Home Decor and Accessories for Sale in Abilene, TX

Tying a room together can sometimes require that one little thing. You may not even know what it is until you see it. At Pierce Furniture Gallery in Abilene, TX, we have a vast selection of home accents for sale that you can browse until you find that special item. From rugs and throw pillows to sculptures and decorations, we are sure that you will find what you need to compliment any room in your home.

**Please understand that not every rug is exactly the same and, depending on the type of material, the specifications for safely cleaning it can change from this guideline. As with any how-to guide, there is a chance that some damage may occur so testing all products, techniques, and tools on an inconspicuous spot before using them on the rug as a whole. Also, as a disclaimer, this blog was written by a third party who is not affiliated with Pierce Furniture Gallery. The Pierce Furniture Group is not responsible for any damages that may occur during the cleaning process. **

Pierce Furniture Gallery - Spring Around the Corner

Spring is Almost Here

Does it mean anything to you that the season change is just around the bend?   I know that there may be a few people that like the cold weather, but most people are happy to see the change of pace and the warmer climate. Spring brings a new life to most people that coincides with the new life waking up from that winter slumber. for a lot of people that I know, they like to take advantage of the longer days and do some extra cleaning. 

Spring cleaning is a throwback to the days where people had to warm their homes by burning wood in stoves and fireplaces. People back then would take extra steps to keep heat from escaping since wood was not so easy to cut and split for heating. This action led to soot and other grime building up in the home so when the seasons changed and the weather permitted they would open up the home and clean things up. Since most of us nowadays aren't solely using wood to keep warm during the winter, we clean in the spring either out of tradition or other reasons. 

What Constitutes Spring Cleaning for You?

For some people, it is a top to bottom cleaning of the home. For others, it may be the time to move the fridge and other appliances to clean up around those more remote places. For me, it seems to be a time where I throw out a lot of stuff I either don't need or that I am planning on replacing soon. I also like to try and give the furniture around the house a deep clean since I spent much more time indoors over the winter. Yeah, I am guilty of laying on the couch and binge-watching a bunch of Netflix shows, but let's face it, who isn't guilty of that in today's day in age?

New Furniture for Sale in Abilene, TX

Pierce Furniture Gallery is a great place for the people of the Big Country area to find quality furniture for sale at prices that won't break the bank. If you are doing your spring cleaning and you think it may be time for a new bedroom set, sofa, recliner, or dining room table, you should check out all their selection or home furnishings and decor. You will be hard-pressed to find better service and lower prices on the items you want for your house.