Area rugs are a great way to add a bit of decorative flair to your hardwood floor. They can be used to create an attractive effect, while also protecting the floor underneath from dust, dirt, and moisture. However, area rugs should not be left on the floor for too long, as they can get dirty and collect dust mites that will eventually scratch your floors if you don’t take care of them properly. If you do decide to buy an area rug for your hardwood floors, then it’s important that you take some time out of each week (or month) to help them with a thorough cleaning before putting them back down again.
Step by Step Guide to Clean an Area Rug on Hardwood Floor
Cleaning area rug on hardwood floors is not difficult at all. With just a few simple steps, you can have your rug looking like new again. Some types of equipment needed to clean area rugs and tips for cleaning an area rug on a hardwood floor are mentioned below. If you’ve got an entrance rug placed on your hardwood floor, then It’s important to make sure the right material & rug is selected for that specific purpose as entrance rugs require care & cleaning more frequently. We’ve curated a list of the best options for entrance rugs for hardwood floors, we would recommend giving it a read before buying.
list of equipment required to clean area rugs on hardwood floors:-
- Vacuum: A powerful vacuum cleaner with a large dust container.
- Carpet Cleaner: A carpet cleaner with a wide cleaning path and powerful suction power.
- Baking Soda: Baking soda is used as an abrasive agent to loosen dirt from the carpet fibers.
- Cleaning solution
- Soft brush
- Fresh water
- Bucket and sponge
- Steamer for deep cleaning
Cleaning Process
When it comes to cleaning an area rug on a hardwood floor, there are many steps involved that require different methods of cleaning. we’re going to walk you through each one so you can see how easy it is!
1. Prepare your area rug for cleaning –
First, make sure that the area rug is prepared for cleaning by removing any small objects such as toys and shoes from the rug. Next, vacuum the area rug to remove any loose dirt or other particles from it.
2. Vacuum your area rug–
Vacuum the area rug thoroughly to remove dust mites, debris, and other particles. This can be done by using a handheld vacuum or a machine capable of sucking up large amounts of dirt. If you do not have a handheld vacuum available, then you can use an upright vacuum that has a long hose attached to it
3. Remove stubborn stains using baking soda–
Mix a small amount of baking soda with water in a bowl and add to a spray bottle. Spray on the stain and let sit for 5 minutes before scrubbing with an old toothbrush or sponge. Repeat at least four times until all stains are gone (up to 20 times). If the stains are too tough to be gone by baking soda then follow the next step.
4. Remove stubborn stains with a carpet steamer–
Steam cleans the area rug by placing it on the carpet steam cleaner, turning it on high, and letting it sit for 2-3 minutes, then using an old toothbrush or sponge to scrub away any residue left behind by the steam deep cleaning process.
5. Use carpet cleaners –
Once all the dirt and dust are removed from your rugs, then you can proceed with spot cleaning them. This process involves applying disinfectants and antiseptics known as carpet cleaners directly onto certain stains or spots on your rugs so as to reduce their appearance.
6. Let the rug completely dry –
Place a large towel over the area rug to absorb any excess moisture as you’re cleaning it, then let air dry completely before replacing it back onto your furniture or another piece of furniture that you want to keep clean! This drying process is very necessary to be carried out to avoid dust to stick again on the rugs.
7. Vacuum for the final time–
vacuum for the last time to remove any leftover particles in the rug and you will be able to see the difference.
How frequently should an area rug be cleaned?
Area rugs, whether they are hand-knotted or machine-made, need to be deep cleaned regularly to maintain their appearance and health. The amount of time you should clean your rug depends on how often you use the area it is placed in. For example, if you have a rug in a kitchen where food is handled regularly, then cleaning it once a week is sufficient. If you rarely enter that room, you may want to consider vacuuming daily so as not to disturb the fibers.
Cleaning an area rug that has not been used for a long time can be difficult because dirt has settled into the fibers and needs to be removed before vacuuming can begin.
How can you clean an area rug without causing damage to your hardwood floor?
Prevention is the best way to take care of your hardwood floor beneath the rug. You can use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment to clean the floor. A soft brush attachment will not damage the wood floor.
In addition, you should regularly sweep the floor and remove any dirt or debris that might be present in your home. You can also vacuum your hardwood floor beneath on a regular basis to remove any stains or dirt that might be present in your home.
If you have pets, make sure they don’t scratch the floor when they walk across an area rug. If this does happen, use a carpet protector on top of the area rug so that it doesn’t scratch the floor underneath it.
Is it possible to wash the carpet over hardwood floors with shampoo?
Yes, you can shampoo a carpet on the hardwood floor. But it’s not recommended. The reason is that shampoo can damage the finish of the hardwood flooring by removing its protective finish. So to prevent this from happening, use a non-scrubbing shampoo with a mild detergent and warm water.
Cleaning an area rug with shampoo on wood floors?
The best method to shampoo an area rug on a hardwood floor is to use a carpet shampooer. This machine has a special attachment that makes it easy to clean any type of fabric and even remove spots from the floor if needed.
The problem with using ordinary sponges, brushes, or cloths is that they cannot reach deep into the pile of fibers and engage in thorough cleaning. In addition, they can leave behind dirt marks and stubborn stains on the floor.
It’s best to use a professional cleaning service that has access to special equipment such as carpet shampoos and rug cleaning solutions for hardwood floors in order to get your rugs looking their best again.
What exactly is steam cleaning? Is it possible to steam clean an area rug on a hardwood floor?
Steam cleaning is a process that involves the use of steam to remove dirt and grime from an object. Steam cleaner manufacturers claim that the use of hot water in a pressurized container to create steam is very helpful, which is then used to loosen dirt and other contaminants from carpets, fabrics, and upholstery.
Yes, but you should be aware that some types of rugs may not be suitable for use with a steam cleaner. Rugs made from materials such as polyester or nylon are most likely safe for use with a steam cleaner, as long as they have been treated with stain repellent prior to installation. The same goes for area rugs made from wool or other natural fibers. Also, the steam can seep through into the floor, so if you have a hardwood floor you will need to be extra cautious while making such decisions as the steam might cause major damage to the flooring as well.
Do steam cleaners have the same impact on hardwood floors as they do on carpets?
Hardwood floors are sensitive to moisture and they absorb it very quickly. The steam left behind by a steam cleaner can cause damage to the finish on your hardwood floors when it dries. If you have a high-traffic area or a large family, you will notice that your floor is wearing out more quickly than normal because of the amount of moisture being absorbed into the wood fibers.
The most common type of damage that occurs from steam cleaners is discoloration and expansion of the wood fibers (called checking). Checking is caused by moisture absorption into the wood structure and causes the surface to expand, which can result in cracking or splitting of the wood fibers and will eventually lead to warping which can be quite expensive to repair if not done correctly, and thus might also cause the floor to rot.
Does steaming cause cups and stains?
Steam cleaners do not cause cups and stains. But, steam cleaning may leave behind small amounts of residue, which can be harmful to your flooring if it gets tracked into the home. This is especially true for wood floors, which are porous and absorb moisture from the air.
If you have a steam cleaner with an agitator, it can cause damage to hardwood floors by compressing the fibers too much and breaking them down. If you choose to use a steam cleaner on hardwood floors, make sure that you set it in the appropriate setting for your type of flooring.
