A shag area rug’s deep, plush fibers can trap dirt and debris, making cleaning more complex, but with the right process and products, it can be done easily. Here’s a concise guide to keeping your shag rug clean and well-maintained.
What You Need:
- Baking soda
- Natural carpet shampoo
- Diluted Vinegar solution
- Spray bottle or sponge
- Soft bristle brush
- Natural carpet spot stain remover
How to Clean a Shag Area Rug
1. Prepare the rug for the cleaning solution.
Move the shag area rug outside on a flat surface and under a tarp. This isolates the rug from your other furniture which might collect the dust, dirt, or solutions while you’re cleaning.
2. Prepare the cleaning solution.
One of the more common solutions is one part vinegar to one part water and place it in a spray bottle or in a basin. Diluting the vinegar will make the pungent smell weaker, too. Always test the solution on a non-conspicuous area, whether you have a colored or white shag area rug.
3. Remove loose dirt and debris.
Remove the loose debris and dirt from your shag area rug by gently scrubbing the rug with a soft-bristle brush, focusing on heavily soiled areas and stains. You can also use a handheld vacuum with a soft brush head to make this easier.
4. Spot treatment or stain removal.
For immediate spills on your shag area rug, blot with a clean cloth or sponge dipped in the vinegar-water solution. Avoid rubbing to prevent spreading the stain. Do this until the stain fades completely. You can also use Puracy’s Carpet Spot Remover for new and older stains. Leave the solution on for 15 min before continuing with the cleaning
5. Cleaning the shag area rug with different methods
Go natural when you use Puracy’s Carpet and Upholstery Shampoo, which can be used when hand-washing your rug or using it to fill your carpet cleaning machine.
- Shampooing your shag area rug - Mix warm water and carpet shampoo (1 oz cleaner: 100 oz water) in a bucket or a spray bottle. Apply the solution onto the shag area rug using a sponge or a sprayer. Gentle rub the rug with the sponge or hand wash it by rubbing out the surfaces with your hands. Rinse afterwards.
- Handwashing with vinegar and baking soda - Sprinkle the baking soda on your shag area rug. You can let it sit anywhere from an hour to overnight so it can absorb odor. Then spray or pour diluted vinegar onto the surface. The combination of these ingredients causes a fizzling effect to disintegrate the dirt clinging onto the fibers. Rinse afterwards.
- Steam Cleaning - Add warm tap water to your cleaning tank, then add your cleaning solution (1 oz cleaner:4 oz water). Always use diluted solution and do not pour the shampoo directly in the detergent tank of your machine.
- Machine washing your shag area rug - While this is the quickest way, not all shag area rugs are made to be machine washed. Always check the label first. Use a low setting or a small carpet setting, which is usually a gentle cycle with cold water and gentle tumble dry.
- Dry Carpet Shampoo - Brush or buff the dry shampoo onto the carpet according to manufacturer’s instructions. After the recommended wait time, vacuum the surface afterwards.
6. Drying
It’s usually not recommended to use machine drying methods for shag area rugs, unless it’s clearly stated on your rug label. You can air dry it outside where there is shade from the sun. If you do decide to dry it in the sun, which is faster, make sure not to let it stay too long under the harsh heat to avoid fading the rug’s color.
7. Fluffing the fibers
Revive the fibers by using your clean hands or a carpet rake to lift the threads.
Pro tip: Vacuum once a week to avoid collecting dust and dirt. This way, you can wet shampoo your shag area rug every 6 months or so, depending on the foot traffic and dirtiness of the surface and the area. Usually, manufacturers recommend deep cleaning them once every 12 to 18 months.
Maintenance Tips for Shag Area Rugs
Here are a few more steps you can do to maintain the cleanliness and fluffiness of your shag area rug for years to come:
- Avoid stepping on the rug with shoes on to minimize dirt accumulating on the fibers.
- Take immediate action for spot stains to prevent them from setting.
- Vacuum regularly — at least once a week to maintain its appearance and texture.
