In addition to frequent sweeping or vacuuming, rugs and carpets need regular attention to the pile, prompt action to remove spills and thorough cleaning about once a year.
Antique, hand-knotted and other fragile rugs require special handling
(for example, some are too delicate for frequent vacuuming and should be swept instead), but ordinary rugs and carpeting made of synthetics or wool are easy to maintain.
At least once a week, sweep or vacuum rugs and carpets to prevent dirt from becoming embedded. Vacuuming against the pile direction removes the most dirt and also raises the fibers, preserving their springiness.
Use carpet casters-plastic pedestals that rest on spines-beneath furniture legs to prevent crushing pile, or else move either the furniture or the rug about an inch each week so the same fibers are not continually pressed down.
To restore crushed pile, raise it by scraping with a credit card or by brushing; if necessary, hold a steam iron set on medium about 3 inches above the pile to dampen and swell the fibers. Allow the area to dry completely before replacing furniture. Never set a hot iron on a rug or carpet.
To remove spills
To prevent stains, remove spills as soon as they happen. Keep a container of foam or powdered carpet cleaner on hand for this purpose. To clean up most spills, first gently remove as much of the spilled material as possible without rubbing any into the pile. Fluids can be absorbed by blotting with a paper towel; scoop up thicker substances with a pair of spatulas or putty knives.
Apply the cleaner according to the directions on the container. But with some brands it may be helpful to go beyond directions that simply call for spraying or sprinkling cleaner over the spill, waiting for it to absorb the soiling substance and vacuuming up the residue.
It is often more effective to use a whisk broom to brush the cleaner into the pile from all directions. Allow the cleaner time to work, then brush the pile again over a wide area until the cleaner disappears, or vacuum away any visible residue.
To remove stains, try applying dry-cleaning fluid or spot-removing solution sold at carpet stores. As a test, dab some on an inconspicuous area of the rug and then wipe the spot with a white paper towel.
If no dye appears on the towel, use the product on the stain, following the manufacturer`s instructions. If another remedy is needed, ask for advice at a carpet store.
Moving outdoors
Small rugs can be cleaned thoroughly outdoors. Vacuum the rug indoors first, and test it as before for colorfastness by soaking a corner with warm water, then wiping it with a white paper towel.
If no color rubs off, the rug is colorfast. (If the rug does not pass this test, it is best dry-cleaned by a professional carpet cleaner.)
Provided the rug is colorfast, lay it face down on a hard surface like a driveway. Spray the backing with hard spray from a garden hose to wet it thoroughly and to loosen embedded dirt.
Scrub the backing with a bristle brush dipped in mild carpet detergent. Begin in the center and scrub in wide circles. After covering two or three square feet, rinse the scrubbed area by spraying it. Change the detergent when the suds turn gray or when sediment collects in the bucket.
Clean the fringe with a combing motion, brushing the strands away from the rug only, until they are clean. Because the fringe is usually not dyed, a stronger detergent solution can be used.
After washing, rinse the rug a second time by spraying it, starting in the center and working the suds toward the edges.
When no more suds appear, turn the rug face up and repeat the entire process; but when rinsing the second time, have a helper pull a squeegee across the rug from the center to the edges to remove as much soapy water as possible.
Dry the rug in partial shade by hanging it from a sturdy clothesline, draping it over a porch railing or spreading it face up on a dry lawn. Brush against the pile to raise it. Do not expose a rug to strong sunlight, or the dyes may fade. Move a spread-out rug occasionally to avoid damaging the lawn. Indoor carpet cleaning
To thoroughly clean a large rug or carpet indoors, rent a carpet cleaner that uses hot water and special cleaning solution to remove dirt, then vacuums it up.
These cleaners are available from carpet stores and rental centers, and even some supermarkets. Along with the cleaner, buy the cleaning and defoaming solutions sold with it. Defoaming solution prevents excess sudsing in the machine.
Start cleaning in a corner, on the opposite side of the room from the door. Place the nozzle on the carpet and squeeze the trigger to release cleaning solution as you pull the nozzle toward you at a slow, steady rate, but not so slow as to saturate the carpet with solution.
