10 Steps To Wash Your Washable Cotton Rugs

Cotton rugs are one of the best decorative elements in a modern home. This soft, cozy, and warm foot piece is suitable for any room, including office spaces. But many individuals stay away from washable cotton rugs due to the hassle of cleaning and maintenance.

Do you know it is possible and easy to clean and maintain cotton rugs without any issue? You won’t require any special scrubbing skills or the services of professional housekeepers. This guide offers a step-by-step approach to cleaning cotton rugs. Read on to find out!

How Do You Wash A Washable Rug? A Step by Step Guide 

Washing cotton rugs is not rocket science. It can be one of the most straightforward tasks while cleaning your home if you do it correctly. The step-by-step guide below is practical for both rugs you can and cannot wash in a washing machine. So, it will be helpful regardless of the type of washable cotton rugs you have.

Let’s find out!

STEP 1: Get Your Rug Cleaning Tools and Materials 

The first thing you have to do is to gather the necessary tools and materials for the process. This move eases the stress in the remaining steps. Some of the vital elements for washing a cotton rug include:

• Bucket 
• Garden hose 
• Vacuum cleaner 
• Brush 
• Rubber gloves 
• Warm water (Note: It shouldn’t be hot water) 
• Mild liquid soap or rug shampoo (You can also use regular dish soap)

STEP 2: Take Out the Rug 

It might not be ideal to wash your cotton rugs indoors. In most cases, you have to take it out. You can consider skipping this step if you have small rugs. But taking out large rugs might be inevitable. 

STEP 3: Loosen the Entrenched Dirt 

The embedded dirt is one of the significant reasons why washing rugs appear tasking to many people. It is easier to get rid of this dirt before adding water or soap. All you need to do is shake the rug rigorously. 

This action will help you to dislodge the dirt entangled within the rug’s fiber. Now, it will be easy for your vacuum to pick up the grime or for you to brush it off. 

STEP 4: Use Your Vacuum 

Now, it is time to put your vacuum to use. The vacuum will help you to pick up loose dirt on every part of the rug. Attach a suitable nozzle to the device before tightly working on it. 

Note that using rotary or other unsuitable brushes can damage and shed the rug’s fiber. You can start by working the vacuum over a small part of the rug to ensure it is safe. 

Also, do not forget the back of your rug while cleaning. This part also accumulates dirt particles and crumbs. Sprinkling antimicrobial powders at this stage will help you to keep out harmful organisms. 

STEP 5: Test Your Cleaning Solution 

It is not advisable to unleash your cleaning solution on the entire rug, especially if you try a new one. Start by testing it on a slight angle on the cotton rug. If it doesn’t leave any noticeable damaging effect, you can proceed to other parts. 

Ensure that you mix all cleaning solutions according to the manufacturer’s instructions and label. If the solution is too concentrated or unsuitable, it might cause the rug’s color to fade. In other cases, it will damage the rug’s fiber. 

STEP 6: Wash the Rug 

Washing the rug is the step everyone looks forward to, and it can be the most challenging part. But you wouldn’t encounter many problems if the other preceding steps are correct.

Lay the rug on a clean, smooth surface. Add warm water to the cleaning solution and work it all over the rug’s exterior. Scrub gently but efficiently with a suitable brush (usually a soft brush or sponge).

You can keep scrubbing the rug until the cleaning solution lathers. Also, you might have to pay attention to specific spots with stains and enormous dirt. Keep washing and brushing until you can certify that the rug is clean.

Step 7: Rinse the Rug 

It is best to do the rinsing almost immediately after washing, using a garden hose. A bucket of clean water can also help you achieve this purpose efficiently. Rinse the rug until you are sure that the cotton no longer foams and the water is clear. 

STEP 8: Brush Off Excess Water 

Getting rid of excess water after rinsing your cotton rug will help it dry more straightforward and faster. A vacuum will make this task easy for you if you have one. But you can improvise other means, including using rug squeegee if you don’t have a vacuum. 

Using a squeegee appears to be the most uncomplicated alternative to vacuuming. All you need to do is press the device’s rubber edge against the rug and pull out the water. Repeat this process as many times as required to remove as much water as possible. 

You can also use a clean, soft cloth to absorb water from the rug. Keep mopping the fabric on the rug fiber until you get rid of the water almost entirely. 

STEP 9: Dry the Rug 

The next step is spreading out the rug and leaving it to dry. You can leave it to dehydrate outside on sunny days. Remember that there are two sides to the rug. Flip it to the other side once the first part dries up. 

Ensure that the rug dries entirely without any moisture before taking it inside. Taking it indoors without drying can favor the growth of mildew and mold. It can also give rise to foul smells. 

STEP 10: Loosen the Fiber 

It is usual for the fiber to become compacted after the entire process. So, it is nothing too serious. You can loosen the rug and restore it by running your brush and vacuum over it. Ensure that you are specific about loosening the fibers during this process. 

How Do You Clean a Cotton Carpet? 

It doesn’t matter if you are using an area or wall-to-wall cotton carpet. Cotton carpets can get dirty from spills, shoes, pets, and other dirt sources. Read on to find out the most effective and easy way to clean your carpets without stress. You won’t even have to spend much or hire professional services before getting the job done.

STEP 1: Get the Necessary Materials 

The first step to any cleaning process is getting your materials. Without these items, the process might become more demanding and less productive. Some of the essential elements for washing cotton carpet include:

• Vacuum 
• Bucket 
• Soft cloth 
• Suitable liquid soaps and disinfectant 
• Steam mop

STEP 2: Vacuum the Carpet 

Once you get the materials ready, proceed to vacuum. This process helps you to remove loose soils, debris, dust, and dirt. If you don’t have a vacuum, you can improvise with brooms if the carpet is small enough. 

Take it outside and remove the loose dirt by sweeping them off with a stiff-bristled broom. But never skip this step, else you might just be pushing dirt around while washing. 

STEP 3: Pretreat Stains and Remove with Suitable Solution 

Some stains on cotton carpets require special treatment for them to remove with ease. This step is vital for eliminating blemishes like tar, oil, and some pet smudges. You can either buy already made cleaning solutions or use homemade options. 

Some homemade cleaning solutions include vinegar and water solution, baking soda, and salt. You can also use steam in some cases. 

STEP 4: Test Your Cleaning Solution 

Regardless of the type of solution you intend to use, it is better and safer to test it on a small part of the carpet. Watch the reaction of the cleaning solution in this segment. If it proves safe and effective, proceed to spread it over the other areas. 

You might need to take extra caution if you are washing the carpet against a wood surface. Concentrated cleaning materials can cause wood damage. 

STEP 5: Wash the Carpet 

Start the washing process by spreading the cleaning solution over the cotton carpet. Leave it over the surface for a few minutes to allow a thorough breakdown of soil. This time is also crucial for disinfecting the rug.  

Next, add extra water and scrub the exterior with a soft brush or microfiber cloth. You can give unique concentration to spots on the carpet with blemishes. Scrub gently till the stain disappears, and you can add more cleaning solutions if there is a need. 

STEP 6: Rinse with Clean Water 

Now it is time to put your bucket of clean water to use. Start by rinsing your soft brush or microfiber cloth. Next, flood the cotton carpet with clean water to rinse. 

Move the brush or cloth gently over the carpet to remove any leftover soap. Keep adding more water until it becomes clean and clear. 

STEP 7: Get Rid of Excess Water 

Getting rid of excess water is vital, considering the amount of water added in the last step. You can get a soft dry cloth. Use the material to wipe the surface of the carpet gently and squeeze out the water. Repeat this process until the surface of the carpet is no longer damp. 

STEP 8: Air Dry the Cotton Carpet 

Once you have gotten rid of excess water, leave it out to air dry. If you have a small area of carpet, you can easily take it out. But for more extensive carpets, open the doors and windows to increase the airflow into the room. You can even add an oscillatory fan to speed up the drying process. 

Do not use the carpet while it is still damp. But if you must use it, ensure to cover the surface with tarps or plastic sheets. 

Are Cotton Rugs Machine Washable? 

Of course, you can take your washable rugs into a washing machine. In fact, there are several machine washable cotton runner rugs available. Using a washing machine for cotton rugs is convenient and fast. 

However, there are specific considerations you must keep in mind before using a washing machine for cotton rugs. Some of these notable points include;

1. Size of The Rug 

The size of the rug is one of the primary determinants of its ability to fit into a washing machine. The smaller the rug size, the better it will fit into the machine. Big rug size might suffocate in the washing compartment, which will prevent the device from working at the optimal level. 

So, it is best only to attempt to wash sizable rugs in the washing machine. You might have no choice but to clean oversized rugs with the manual process. 

2. Color 

Washing machines don’t go gentle on washable rag rugs. So, you must be confident that the color of the rug is fadeless. You can test this by applying detergent to the rug corner and rub it against a white cloth. If there is little or no color blotted on the white cloth, it is good to go in the washing machine. A heavy color blot means the rug will fade if you wash it with the device. 

3. Texture 

Only rugs with quality fiber and texture can survive the rigor of a washing machine. So, ensure to certify your rug’s quality. It might not be suitable for old carpets with poor texture. 

Conclusion

Washing cotton rugs is essential, but doing it the right way is equally vital. Using the wrong cleaning process might not remove the dirt perfectly, and it can damage the rug. Following the steps above will ease the hassle of the process. You can also consider using a washing machine for suitable rugs. 

Cleaning and maintaining washable cotton rugs come with more minor issues when you have one of high and durable quality. There are several options available. So, feel free to research and explore.