There are a lot of people who are out off getting a shag rug because of the perceived maintenance these rugs require. Shag rugs are actually relatively easy to clean, you simply need to know what to do and when to do this. There are certain steps that you have to take to ensure that your shag rug stays clean.
Loosening The Dirt
Shag rugs are known to collect dirt because of the long fibers. However, it is not that difficult to loosen the dirt that the rug has accumulated. To do this, you should take the rug outside and hang it over a railing or a sawhorse. You should then hit with the side of a broom or the handle of a mop the rug to loosen the trapped dirt and dust.
The rug should then be left in a sunny location for a few hours. The heat from the sun will help to kill any dust mites and bacteria which might be in the carpet.
Vacuuming The Rug
You will need to vacuum your shag rug as needed and the frequency will vary depending on the use of the rug. On average, you will need to do this weekly, but if you have pets and children who play on the rug this might need to be done daily. If the shag rug is in a place where it rarely sees any foot traffic, you can vacuum it monthly.
When you vacuum the rug, you should set the vacuum head to the high pile if you have this option. If the head is not adjustable, you need to invest in one. This is important because you can control the suction and move the head easily on the rug. You should never use the beater bar or powerhead on a shag rug as this can pull strands out
Once a month, you should also flip the rug over and vacuum the woven underside. When doing this, you should use the beater bar to help you remove more dirt. If you have a power head, you will need to be careful and ensure that the suction is not too strong.
Cleaning Up Spills
If there are spills on the shag rug, you will need to soak them up immediately. This should be done with light-colored and absorbent rags such as paper towels or terry facecloths. You should then rinse the rag and squeeze out most of the water before using it to continue soaking up the spill.
When you soak up the spill, you will need to check if more color is being lifted from the stain. This is one of the reasons why you need to use a light colored cloth. The other reason for this is the fact that you will not transfer any of the colors from the cloth to the carpet which will make the stain from the spill more noticeable.
There are many steps that you need to take to clean your shag rug, but they are not very complex. These are steps that you will need to take with most rugs if you want to keep them in good condition.