How To Clean A Furry Rug

A furry rug is a chic accessory for any room. But the thicker fabric means it can be tough to keep tidy. 

There are several effective ways to clean a furry rug, but the one you go for will depend on the type of cleaning you need to do. For instance, a deep clean or stain removal will differ from a general maintenance clean.

In this article, we’ll teach you exactly how to clean a furry rug. Below, we discuss some of the best methods you can use for any type of cleaning you might need to do. With our guide, you’ll be able to keep your rug looking as good as new at all times. 

How To Clean A Furry Rug

how to clean furry carpet

Cleaning a Stain

If you are dealing with a spill or mess on a furry rug, then you will need a good spot or stain removal method to get rid of it without damaging the rug fibers. This cautious method could also be used to clean a natural fiber rug.

When dealing with stains, it is always best to remove them as soon as possible to avoid the mess sinking too far into the fibers. Get to it as soon as you spot the stain, and you will have a much easier task at hand. 

Remove Excess Dirt

The first thing you will do is remove as much excess dirt as possible to make the remaining steps far easier. 

If you are dealing with a liquid stain, you can use a dry cloth to blot as much of it as possible. 

If it is dried, use a teaspoon to scrape up the debris, and then dispose of it. 

You can also use a vacuum here to suction any loose dirt before you continue. 

Combine and Apply the Solution

Mix 2 cups of warm water with a tablespoon of liquid soap. Make sure it is combined well, and then transfer the solution to a spray bottle.

Spray the solution onto the stained area. Apply it generously so that the solution soaks through the fibers well. Leave it to settle in for about 10 minutes before moving on to the next step. 

how to clean a furry area rug

Dab Area

Use a dry, absorbent cloth to dab the stained area with pressure. This will draw out the stain together with the liquid. 

Continue doing this until the stain is no longer visible. Do not rub the rug at any point, as this can damage and/or tear the fur fibers of the rug. This also applies to cleaning an alpaca fur rug.

Rinse Rug

Next, you will need to rinse out the cleaning solution. Fill up a spray bottle with plain cold water and once again, spray the area generously. Use a new absorbent cloth to blot the area and soak up all the soap. 

Leave to Dry

Once the stain has cleared, leave the rug to air dry fully. 

General Clean 

A furry rug might be stylish, but because the fibers are typically longer you will find that a lot more dirt and dust gets trapped. This applies to cleaning a synthetic rug, or a real fur rug. 

To keep it tidy and avoid a dusty space, you should ideally do a general freshening up of the rug every 2-3 weeks, especially if it is located in a high-traffic area. Regular maintenance is key, even when cleaning a leather rug

Vacuum Rug

how to spot clean furry rug

First, you will need to remove the excess dust and debris from the rug. You should do this in an outdoor space like your balcony or garden so that you do not mess up the room. 

You can go the easier route, with a vigorous shake of the rug, or you can do a deeper clean with a vacuum. The latter is preferable if you do not clean the rug as regularly, as there might be dust stuck quite deep into the fibers. 

If you do use a vacuum, keep the setting low to avoid damaging the rug. 

Apply Cleaning Solution

Fill up a large bowl or bucket with warm water, and add a teaspoon of liquid soap. 

Use a soft cloth to dip into the solution, and then blot the rug to clean out any dirt. Be sure to blot the entire rug without missing any spots, and intermittently dip the cloth back into the solution. 

You can go over the rug 2-3 times for optimal cleaning. 

Rinse Out Rug

Fill up a fresh bowl or bucket with cold water, and use a sponge or cloth to apply the water onto the rug to rinse out the soap. Do this as many times as possible to rinse it out thoroughly. 

Dry Out

Next, you will dry out the rug. If it is smaller, you can get away with leaving it outside to dry fully (avoid harsh sunlight). If it is larger, you may need to use a water extraction vacuum to suction out the liquid thoroughly before putting the rug back inside.

When cleaning a handmade rug, it is best to leave it to air dry.

Deep Clean

If you have not cleaned your rug in a long time and it has collected a large amount of dust, debris, and stains, you will need to do a deep clean of it. 

This will require heavy-duty cleaning, as is best done with a specialized carpet cleaning product to ensure all dirt and bacteria have been removed. 

 how do you clean furry rugs

Move Outside and Remove Excess

First, you should move the rug to an outdoor space as the cleaning process can become too messy to do indoors. Place it on concrete space if you have that available, or lay some paper/plastic on grass and lay it on top of that. 

Use a vacuum to suction any excess dirt and dust that is in the carpet fibers, going over the rug 2-3 times to be thorough. 

Apply Solution

Before applying the cleaner, you should wet the rug to begin. Depending on the size, you can use a spray bottle, a bucket, or a hose to do this. 

Next, prepare your cleaner or pre-spray. One of the best on the market is the Truck Mount Forum All Fibre Rinse which is effective in removing all dirt and bacteria from the carpet without damaging the fibers. 

how to spot clean a furry rug

It also leaves it looking and smelling fresher and brighter after cleaning. 

Follow the instructions on the packaging to prepare the solution, and then apply it to the rug with a spray bottle or by pouring it on, which will again depend on the size. 

You can either use your hands to lather in the solution and clean the rug or use a water extraction tool or Orbot carpet cleaner to clean it effectively. 

how do you clean a furry rug

Rinse Off Rug

To rinse out the solution, you can either pour generous amounts of cold water onto the rug or use a hose to rinse it off. 

Use an absorbent towel to blot over the rug and remove excess liquid. 

Leave to Dry

Once the excess liquid has been blotted out, leave the rug in a warm spot to dry fully before putting it back in its indoor spot. Always ensure it is completely dried through, regardless of whether you are cleaning a cotton rug or a fur rug, to avoid dampness indoors. 

Conclusion

A furry rug is a chic decor statement in any space, but it does require regular cleaning and maintenance to keep it neat in your home. 

Heavy-duty cleaning with specialized products is required for rugs that have not been cleaned in a while, but to avoid this, it is best to perform a light regular clean every few weeks or so. General upkeep is key for any type of carpet, whether it is cleaning a bamboo rug or a fur one.

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