A Step-by-Step Guide to Laundry Stripping Rugs at Home
Mar 30th 2023
Rugs are essential to any household, providing warmth and comfort to your feet and adding to your home decor. But, over time, even well-maintained rugs can accumulate dirt, stains, and odors that can be difficult to remove. That's where laundry stripping comes in - a deep cleaning method that can restore your rugs to their original pristine condition. We at Decorsify are here to provide you with a step-by-step guide to stripping your rugs. Whether you're dealing with a heavily soiled area rug or simply want to give your rugs a little refresh, this guide will walk you through stripping your rugs effectively.
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
Before you begin the process, you'll need to have all of these things at your disposal:
- A large plastic bin or bathtub
- Hot water
- Laundry detergent
- Borax
- White vinegar
- A stiff-bristled brush
- A vacuum cleaner
- A hose (if you're using a bathtub)
Step 2: Remove Loose Dirt and Debris
Start off by removing loose dirt and debris from your rug. You can use a vacuum cleaner to ensure you get into all the crevices and creases. If your rug is too difficult to vacuum, you can take it outside and shake it to remove any loose dirt or lay it out and beat it to get some of the dirt and debris out, that way. Even easier, you can do both! That way, you make sure that by vacuuming and shaking out your rug that you’ve gotten out as much dust as you possibly can.
Step 3: Fill the Bin or Bathtub with Hot Water
Fill a bin or bathtub with hot water, ensuring enough water to submerge your rug thoroughly. You won’t be sticking your hands in the water immediately, so you can get this water as hot as you’d like – some even use boiling water. Though, be careful that the fabric of your rug and make sure that extremely hot temperatures won’t cause any color fading.
Step 4: Add Laundry Detergent and Borax
Next, add laundry detergent and Borax to the hot water, using about ¼ cup per gallon of water. Stir the mixture until the detergent and Borax are both dissolved.
Step 5: Submerge Your Rug
Submerge your rug in hot water and a detergent mixture, ensuring it's completely saturated. You can swirl it around a little bit to make sure that it is fully soaked, just be careful of your hands if the water is very hot! Use a stirring stick if this is the case, to be safe.
Step 6: Add White Vinegar
Add about 1 cup of white vinegar to the water, which will help to remove any odors and stains from your rug.
Step 7: Soak Your Rug
Let your rug soak in the water for at least 4 hours or overnight, depending on how dirty it is.
Step 8: Scrub Your Rug
After the rug is finished soaking, use a stiff-bristled brush to scrub your rug thoroughly, paying extra attention to any heavily soiled areas.
Step 9: Rinse Your Rug
Rinse your rug thoroughly with clean water, either using a hose or emptying the bin or bathtub and refilling it with clean water. If you are re-filling the bin instead of using a hose, this step will most likely need to be repeated a few times to ensure you get rid of all of the suds.
Step 10: Hang Your Rug to Dry
Hang your rug to dry, either outside in the sun or indoors in a well-ventilated area. Ensure it's completely dry before putting it back on the floor, especially if placing it back down on any hardwood that can stain if it is still moist.
FAQs:
Q: Can I use laundry detergent on all types of rugs?
A: It is safe for most rugs, including wool, synthetic, and cotton. However, it's always a good idea to check the care instructions for your rug before using this method. Or, if the care instructions aren’t specific about treatment with detergent, you can try spot-treating a small area with detergent to see how the fabrics will hold up.
Q: How often should I laundry strip my rugs?
A: It's recommended to clean your rugs in this way once or twice a year, depending on how heavily trafficked they are. If they aren’t often walked on then this can be done less, or if they are in a heavily-trafficked area then they might need more cleaning than the one-to-two times per year.
Q: Can I laundry strip a rug that has a rubber backing?
A: It's best to avoid stripping rugs with rubber backing, as the hot water and detergent mixture can cause the support to deteriorate.
Q: Can I use regular laundry detergent or a particular detergent?
A: You can use regular laundry detergent for your rugs. However, choose a detergent specifically designed for deep cleaning and removing stains.
Q: Can I add essential oils to the water to make my rug smell better?
A: While essential oils can add a pleasant scent to your rug, avoiding using them during the laundry is best. Essential oils can leave a residue on your rug that may be difficult to remove.
Q: Can I strip a rug with a fringe?
A: Yes, you can laundry strip a rug with a fringe. However, be gentle when scrubbing the edge to avoid damaging it.
Q: What should I do if my rug is too large to fit in a bin or bathtub?
A: If your rug is too large to fit in a bin or bathtub, you can use a steam cleaner or hire a professional rug cleaning service to deep clean your rug.
Laundry stripping is a highly effective method for deep cleaning your rugs and restoring them to their original condition. Following the step-by-step guide outlined above, you can make stripping your rugs at home quick and easy. Remember to gather all the necessary supplies, remove loose dirt and debris, soak your rug in hot water and detergent mixture, add white vinegar to remove odors and stains, scrub your rug, rinse it thoroughly, and then hang it to dry.
Incorporating a washing routine like this into your regular rug maintenance ensures that your rugs remain fresh, clean, and beautiful for years. So, next time your rugs need deep cleaning, don't hesitate to try this stripping technique. It’s a great way to extend the lifespan of your rugs, prevent the accumulation of dirt and stains, and maintain their appearance and hygiene for years to come!
If you’re looking for any other tips and tricks to help you on your home décor journey, check out our other blog posts!
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