How to Clean a Polyester Rug

Polyester rugs are a great interior option if you want to spruce up your space but cleaning them may seem a bit tricky. Especially if you are a first-time owner of this type of rug. 

This is why we have compiled the ultimate guide on how to clean a polyester rug.

When it comes to rugs, cleaning polyester rugs are far easier than cleaning jute rugs or other rugs made from natural fibers.

Luckily, you don’t need to break the bank cleaning this type of rug either. With the right tools and products, you can get your polyester rug looking good as new in a jiffy.

This article will teach you all the ins and outs of cleaning your polyester rug, no matter what size the rug or the stain is.

We will also look at the process to follow if you have to clean a furry rug made from polyester.

What this article covers:

How To Clean Polyester Rugs

how to clean polyester rug

How To Spot Clean A Polyester Rug

If you want to deal with a small stain on your polyester rug, you may want to try the following method. 

It can easily solve the issue of dealing with an unsightly stain and won’t require that you clean the entire carpet. 

Step 1: Remove Debris and Dab

When dealing with a particular stain, the first step is to move any excess moisture or debris from the spot. For moisture stains such as urine or wine, dab the area with a clean towel or cloth.

For crusty stains, remove debris with a blunt object by gently scraping over the area.

You want to do this as soon as the stain has occurred to maximize your chances of effectively removing the stain. 

Be gentle so as to avoid the stain spreading. You may not be cleaning a silk Persian rug, but your budget-friendly polyester rug requires the same attention to detail if you want to avoid worsening the stain.

Step 2: Prepare Cleaning Mixture

The next step is to prepare your cleaning mixture. The best approach here is to invest in professional carpet cleaning chemicals and mix them according to the instructions on the bottle. 

For urine or other smelly stains, you may want to use an enzymatic carpet pre-spray. For solid stains or other liquid stains, you can invest in an oxidized cleaner.

 how to clean large polyester rug

If you don’t have professional chemicals on hand, you can mix detergent with a little bit of warm water. 

Whatever cleaning mixture you choose, be sure to test it on an inconspicuous area on the carpet first before applying it to the stain.

Step 3: Blot

Use a sponge or clean cloth and dip it into your cleaning mixture. Then, blot the affected area. Repeat this process until the stain disappeared. 

Rinse the area to remove any residual cleaning mixture from the carpet.

Allow the carpet to dry before placing furniture on it or walking over it.

How To Deep Clean A Polyester Rug

If you want to clean your entire rug or deal with multiple stains, you may want to opt for deep cleaning your polyester rug.

clean polyester carpet

Step 1: Wet Rug

The first step for a deep clean is to hose down your rug. You can also cover it with water using buckets. Ensure that the carpet is soaked with water. It may be best to do this outside.

Step 2: Mix the Solution

The next step is to mix your cleaning solution. Mix dish detergent with some water. Then, dip a sponge or soft-bristled brush into the soapy mixture and work it through the entire rug. 

Leave the soapy mixture on the rug for a few minutes.

Step 3: Rinse and Roll Up

After the soapy mixture has had some time to penetrate the rug, rinse the soap out using a hose or a bucket. Ensure that you remove all of the remaining soap. The water coming out should run clear.

Then, roll up the rug tightly and let it stand upright to allow the remaining water to release. 

Unroll it somewhere and allow it to dry out completely. You can leave it out in the sun or hang it over a rail in a ventilated room. 

How to Clean A Large Polyester Rug

how to clean polyester carpet

Step 1: Beat Rug & Vacuum

It can be hard to clean larger rugs because they are heavy and difficult to handle. 

If you want to clean a larger rug, start by hanging it over a fence or clothesline and beating it with a broom. This will remove any excess dirt or debris from the carpet.

This is also an excellent trick when you need to clean wool rugs by yourself.

Follow this by vacuuming the rug on both sides. It is important to clean the bottom of an area rug as well to ensure that the entire carpet is clean before it returns to the floor.

Step 2: Clean

The next step is to prepare your cleaning mixture. Use an all-fiber rinse and mix it according to the instructions.

how to clean polyester rugs

Alternatively, mix some detergent with a teaspoon of white vinegar and some warm water.

Dip a clean sponge in your cleaning mixture of choice and start blotting the entire rug. Work in sections until everything is covered.

Then, use a sponge or cloth dipped in clean water and repeat this process to rinse the rug.

If any stubborn stains remain, you can use your soapy sponge to blot these areas again until the stain is removed.

Step 3: Dry Out

Use a towel and dry out the surface area of the rug to remove any excess moisture. Hang the rug over a chair to allow it to dry. Or, create some ventilation in the room to speed up the drying process.

How To Clean A Polyester Shaggy Rug

Step 1: Remove the Dust

The best way to clean a shag carpet is to prep your rug for cleaning by removing any excess dust and debris. 

There is lots of dust and debris that can get caught up in the furry fibers, making it almost as hard as cleaning a sheepskin rug.

So, the first thing you want to do when cleaning this type of rug is to shake out the dust particles by hand.

Hang it over a rail and use a broom to whack the rug and get rid of the debris. Wear goggles to protect your eyes.

If you are working with a very large rug, you can opt for vacuuming it instead.

how to clean a shaggy area rug

Step 2: Spot Clean

The next step is to deal with any prominent stains on the rug. Use a diluted oxidized cleaner or a little bit of dish detergent mixed with water.

Use a sponge or clean cloth, soak it in this mixture and gently blot the stained area.

You should see the stains starting to disappear. For tough stains, opt for a soft-bristled brush and slowly brush over the stain in gentle, circular motions.

Step 3: Deep Clean

If you want to clean the entire rug, you can opt to apply an alkaline fiber rinse. Alternatively, you can opt for any type of dry carpet shampoo or even baking soda.

how to clean a polyester shaggy rug

These powdered cleaning agents work perfectly for a deep clean because they are easy to apply and double as a deodorizer, which is handy if you are dealing with urine or wine stains. 

We recommend that you test the cleaning product of your choosing on a small portion of the carpet before applying it. If it is safe, cover the carpet with the product. 

You can do this by sprinkling it over the entire carpet, covering the surface area. 

Use a brush to work the product into the carpet and allow it to work into the carpet for the appropriate length of time.

Then, vacuum the granules up for a new, clean, and fresh-looking shaggy rug.

Conclusion 

After reading this, you should feel far more confident to tackle your polyester rug.

Polyester is a very popular option because they are quite easy to clean. With the right products, you can get your polyester carpet looking good as new.

And don’t worry if you have a shaggy rug or a very large rug. These may seem harder to clean but it is actually very doable. 

The good news is that there is a cleaning solution for each type of stain and polyester rug out there.

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