I could have easily spent the day on my porch pounding a winter’s worth of dust and debris from my kitchen and bathroom rugs… if it weren’t for the fact that we were pummeled with more than 14 inches of snow last night. Oh, and did I mention the 38 mph winds?
So much for spring, but what can you expect living in Wisconsin.
Part of my spring cleaning ritual is deep cleaning all of the rugs I have placed around the house. Some homeowners swap out rugs at the end of each season. However, my decor is very simple, so I don’t have an array of seasonal rugs to choose from. Rather, I just have to be very vigilant about taking care of the ones I have.
I typically vacuum my rugs twice a week depending on how much traffic they see. However, I use the change of seasons to deep clean them, especially since I don’t get a chance to beat out deep-set dust as often as I probably should. Deep-cleaning requires hanging the rugs over a porch railing or a chair and hitting them with a broom handle. If you have a shop vac in the garage you could also use the highest setting to suck up any imbedded dirt you see on the rug while it is outside.
If you notice a stain on your rug during the cleaning process, be sure to blot—not rub—it gently with a liquid stain remover and clean cloth. If you don’t have a commercial stain remover on hand, then try pouring a bit of club soda on the affected area. Next, sandwich the stain between two folded towels and allow for adequate dry time. If the stain persists, then spot treat it with a touch of liquid dishwashing soap and some vinegar. If weather permits, take the rug outdoors to dry completely. You never want to return a damp rug to a dark area of a room, as this will cause mold and mildew to grow.