Do-it-yourself rug cleaning is a practice done by many, especially if small rugs are concerned. Oftentimes, a vacuum cleaner, rug shampoo, brush, lots of water, and a sunny day are enough to get the job done.

But how often do we have to clean our rug in the first place? Since it tends to attract dust, dirt, and allergens, once a week vacuuming is definitely in order, and twice weekly when stepped on.  Shampooing should be done only when necessary since this may cause color fading and loosening of the adhesives.

It is best not to get our rugs dirty so that shampooing could be minimized. Refraining from stepping on them, if possible, will lessen the dirt.  Having dirt traps at all entrances leading to the room with the rug is another way.

After shampooing your rug, make sure that it is properly dried. Moisture will attract molds and may result in unpleasant odor. Fast drying is advised since
dust has a tendency to cling to wet and moist rugs. For this reason, it is best to do your cleaning on a sunny day. There are also dry cleaning solutions available, which are usually less effective. But you may want to check them out.

But be ultra careful in cleaning that expensive Oriental rug, which is a family heirloom. Anything more than vacuuming should be done by expert rug cleaning to make sure that it is properly handled. Attempting to do-it-yourself may ruin the item.

And speaking of professional cleaners, do not choose one based on price alone. Rug and carpet cleaning is now a science, which makes use of modern
methods. Special chemicals are used depending on the type of fiber. At the same time, specialized equipment is needed for the deep cleaning of embedded dirt. Ascertain that your chosen cleaner is reputable before entrusting your expensive rug to him.

There are some rug cleaners who do tile cleaning as well. In the event that you also need to have your tiles cleaned, you may have the cleaner do both on a package deal arrangement. This will allow you to negotiate for a significant discount.