How to shampoo a rug on hardwood floor

Q: Can you shampoo a rug?

Step 3: Shampoo Your Rug If you dont have 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 colors dont bleed.

Once you find the best area rug for your space, you want to protect your investment and keep it looking new ... but life is messy, and area rugs in high-traffic areas need more than just the occasional vacuuming. Steam cleaning can be an effective way to lift stains from carpets, but it can damage hardwood flooring beneath an area rug. One simple precaution helps you protect your floors before you bring hot steam anywhere near them.

Table of Contents Show

Should You Steam Clean Area Rugs on Hardwood Floors?
How to Steam Clean an Area Rug on Hardwood Floors
Step 1: Vacuum the Rug
Step 2: Lay Down a Protective Barrier
Step 3: Steam Clean the Rug
Step 4: Dry as Much as Possible
How do we clean Area Rug on Hardwood floors?
Is it OK to shampoo a rug on hardwood floors?
How do you clean an area rug on laminate flooring?
Can you use a Bissell carpet cleaner on hardwood floors?
Can you shampoo a rug?

Video of the Day

Should You Steam Clean Area Rugs on Hardwood Floors?

Steam cleaning allows you to sanitize carpets and kill the germs that people and pets have tracked into your home. It can remove dents and eliminate or reduce odors and stains in carpet fibers. It's also a pretty simple process compared to a project like shampooing a carpet. Most types of residential carpet can be safely cleaned with steam but check the care instructions on your area rug before using steam or any water-based cleaners.

However, steam generally isn't recommended as a way to clean hardwood floors because hot water can warp wood, even if it has been sealed. Ideally, you would roll up an area rug and take it outdoors or to a garage where you could steam clean it away from any wood surfaces. If that's not possible, putting down a plastic barrier under the rug should protect the floor from steam damage.

Using dry carpet cleaner is also an alternative to steam cleaning. Dry carpet cleaner is sold as a powder that you sprinkle on a slightly moistened carpet, brush in, and then vacuum away. There's almost no drying time required after using dry carpet cleaner, while a steam-cleaned rug may stay damp for as long as 24 hours.

Tip

You can use any kind of household steam cleaner to steam an area rug, but the best option is to use a steam mop with a microfiber head because you can press the mop head right into the carpet. This allows stain and odor molecules that the steam has loosened to transfer to the microfiber material and be lifted away.

How to Steam Clean an Area Rug on Hardwood Floors

Things You'll Need

Steam cleaner
Water
Microfiber cloths (if steam cleaner doesn't have a microfiber mop head)
Plastic drop cloth
Old towels

Step 1: Vacuum the Rug

Vacuum the rug well to pull up any loose dirt or debris. This is important because adding water to a dirty carpet will basically create mud.

Step 2: Lay Down a Protective Barrier

Have someone help you roll up or lift the area rug and spread out a plastic drop cloth (or multiple drop cloths) under it. Make sure the plastic extends out at least a few inches on all sides of the rug.

Step 3: Steam Clean the Rug

Follow manufacturer directions to prepare and use your steamer. If you're using a microfiber steam cleaner, run the mop head directly across the carpet. If you're using a cleaner that shoots out jets of steam, hold it a few inches above the carpet as you move it over the entire area. After steaming a section, blot it by hand with a microfiber cloth to remove stains.

Step 4: Dry as Much as Possible

Remove as much excess water from the clean rug as you can. The longer the carpet stays wet, the more likely it is that mildew will set in and create a musty smell that will have you pulling out the steamer for another cleaning session. Lay down old towels on the rug and walk over them to help them absorb water. Open windows and aim a fan at the rug to speed up drying time. Don't remove the plastic sheeting until the rug is completely dry.

This page contains affiliate links, As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases (with no extra cost to you). Learn more

Area rugs are must-have accessories in our homes. They will enhance and warmth your space with its patterns and contrast colors. At the same time they raise the overall value of your home so if you how to clean an Area Rug can be great asset.

How do we clean and Area Rug on Hardwood Floors? Cleaning Area Rug with a washing machine is not advisable. Instead, try to remove the stains, dust mites, and smell with the help of quality vacuum cleaner, sodium bicarbonate, carpet shampoo, or steam cleaner.

Some handmade area rugs can be very pricey, so we need to know how to clean them properly.

If you have hardwood floors, you would be for sure interested in two bestselling hardwood cleaning products. Read my article called Bona VS Bruce hardwood floor cleaners and learn more. Did you know that Ammonia free Windex cleaner is becoming more and more popular hardwood floor cleaning solution s well?

How do we clean Area Rug on Hardwood floors?

Vacuum cleaner

Most popular and most often way of cleaning your rug is with vacuum cleaner. We start by vacuuming the top front side of our rug and removing debris, pet hairs, and other dirt accumulated from our last cleaning.

CLICK HERE and read real costumer reviews on Amazon. Their pros and cons and real life experience.

How to Protect your Hardwood Floors when cleaning Area Rug?

When cleaning only one spot of your rug, you can place rag underneath to protect your floors. Be careful not to pour to much water over.If you are planning to steam your rug, waterproof barrier must be placed underneath to protect your hardwood floors. Some plastic sheet will do just fine. Leave your carpet on this barrier at least 24 hours after steaming.

Is it OK to shampoo a rug on hardwood floors?

Vacuum or dry mop the hardwood floor to remove any dirt and grit that could cause scratches. Lay down and secure thick plastic sheeting to protect the hardwood floors while the rug is wet. Clean the rug using carpet shampoo or a carpet steamer, and do not replace the rug until it is thoroughly dry.

How do you clean an area rug on laminate flooring?

Steps to Clean the Rug:.

Sprinkle baking soda or a carpet powder over the rug. ... .

Use a bristle brush to rub the powder evenly over the carpet..

Leave the powder on the carpet for several house..

Vacuum up the powder. ... .

This process can be repeated as many time as needed..

Can you use a Bissell carpet cleaner on hardwood floors?

Includes 8 oz bottle of BISSELL 2X Hard Floor Solutions FormulaEasily attaches to the bottom of your machine for use on hard floor surfaces and is safe for use on virtually all sealed hard floor surfaces including sealed hardwood, linoleum, vinyl, ceramic tile, granite & marble.

Can you shampoo a rug?

Step 3: Shampoo Your Rug If you don't have 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 colors don't bleed.