The most important part of stain removal is speed. The Carpet and Rug Institute recommends that spills be dealt with quickly so that less of the stain remains 1. The second rule is just as simple: blot the stain, do not rub it. Rubbing can permanently change the texture of the rug's surface 2.
In this guide you will find how to remove three common types of stain, and what is better avoided.
Before you start
The care guide from the manufacturer or seller of that particular rug takes precedence over any general advice. Products or methods not included in the manufacturer's guide may void the warranty at the location of the stain 2.
We suggest testing any solution first on a hidden part of the rug and waiting a few minutes to see that the colour does not change.
What you will need
The technical source recommends these items for a stain-removal kit 2:
- Paper towels to absorb liquid
- A spatula or dull knife to lift dried soil
- Solution for water-based stains
- Remover for oily stains
- Special solution for pet stains
If you do not know the type of stain
The technical source says that when the origin of a stain is unknown, you should first use the oily-stain remover. If the stain does not come out, move on to the water-based solution 2.
How to remove each stain
| Type of stain | Steps 2 |
|---|---|
| Water-based stain (drinks and the like) | 1. Absorb the liquid immediately. 2. Apply a solution: one teaspoon of detergent and one teaspoon of white vinegar in about one litre of water. 3. Rinse with water and dry. 4. Repeat if needed. 5. Brush the pile. |
| Oily stain | 1. Absorb immediately. 2. Apply a solvent-based cleaner or isopropyl alcohol. 3. Dry by blotting. 4. If needed, apply the foam of a detergent solution, rinse with water and dry. 5. Brush the pile. |
| Pet urine | 1. Absorb immediately. 2. Apply clean lukewarm water several times. 3. Apply a solution of warm water with one teaspoon of mild, bleach-free detergent in about one litre of water, then absorb and dry. 4. Rinse with clean water and dry. 5. Apply a solution of one tablespoon of white vinegar in one cup of warm water, then rinse and dry. |
The detergent should be free of additives such as bleach or brighteners. The source gives as examples a hand dishwashing liquid without lotion or a detergent made for wool 2.
What damages a rug?
- Rubbing a stain: it changes the texture of the rug's surface 2.
- Soap, ammonia and too much water: the technical source recommends avoiding these 2.
- Bleach and strong household cleaners: chlorine products, oven and toilet cleaners, and poisons such as insecticides can change or remove colour 2.
- Anti-stain or antibacterial sprays without the manufacturer's approval: these may void the warranty 2.
Everyday care
Regular vacuuming is the main part of care. Areas with more foot traffic should be vacuumed more often. A suitable vacuum cleaner has strong suction, an adjustable brush and a closed bag 1. Change the bag regularly as well, so that its performance does not fall 1.
Do not forget humidity. Mould does not grow without high moisture and soiling, and the Carpet and Rug Institute recommends a relative humidity of 60 percent or lower 1. So dry the rug completely after washing.
For a full clean, the same institute suggests extraction cleaning, preferably by a professional service and before soiling becomes visible 1.
Summary
Act quickly, blot the stain, do not rub, and check the manufacturer's guide first. For an unknown stain, start with the oily-stain remover and continue with the water-based solution. If a stain is large or old, get help from a professional service.
Frequently asked questions
Can a machine-made rug be cleaned with vinegar?
Diluted vinegar appears in the instructions for water-based stains and pet stains 2, not as a cleaner for the whole rug. Do not increase the amount, and test on a hidden part first.
Does brushing damage the rug's pile?
Gentle brushing of the pile as a final step is part of the instructions 2. What should be avoided is rubbing while treating a stain.
Does an anti-stain coating repel all stains?
No. The technical source stresses that these coatings repel many stains, but not all of them, and that household chemicals can remove colour 2.
Sources
- The Carpet and Rug Institute. The Carpet Primer. 2017. https://carpet-rug.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/The-Carpet-Primer.pdf
- Niemeyer, Shirley. G94-1222 Rug and Carpet Fibers: Selection and Care. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension, 1994. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1935&context=extensionhist