We recently wrote about how many of our rugs are kid and pet friendly. We thought it would be useful to go into that topic a little more, especially when it comes to how to deal with the inevitable stains that are part of life. If your furry friend has left a mess on your new rug, you’ll be happy to know that it’s a relatively easy problem to remedy. These are our top tips for keeping your purchase looking great no matter what.
For a start, time is of the essence. Whether you’re faced with muddy pawprints, spilled food or toilet mishaps, the quicker you can clean up a mess, the better. That way you can head off stains before they even get a chance to set in. Begin by removing any residue on the surface and blot dry. The most effective way to deal with residual wetness is to dab at the spot with a towel. Avoid rubbing as this will work things deeper into the fibers and make your job harder in the long run.
Once you’ve cleaned up, mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle and apply it onto the affected area. This is a natural cleaning agent and it’s excellent at neutralizing odors too. Leave the mixture to sit for a few minutes and then blot dry. You can repeat this if you need and end off with a spritz of water and final dry with a towel. When you’ve treated the spot, make sure to flip the rug over and clean up any moisture that may have seeped through. You can also prop up the edge of the rug to increase airflow and aid in drying.
Once your rug is dry, you can lightly brush the fibers back into place if needed. If you’ve dealt with the stain but you still have any odor hanging around, you can also sprinkle plain baking soda onto a dry rug, leave it to sit for a few hours and then vacuum it up. Make sure the rug has completely dried off before you do this and avoid walking over the area until the baking soda has been removed.
Some other tips to bear in mind:
- You can use paper towels to scoop up any surface mess and blot up any liquids.
- When treating stains, work from the outside inwards to stop them spreading.
- Avoid using harsh cleaners or detergents – they can discolor fibers.
- Only use plain white vinegar in your cleaning solution, not any other kind.
You can test any cleaning solution on an inconspicuous spot first if you want to check the interaction with your rug.
If you have any other questions, you can get more info in our care and cleaning guide. With a bit of TLC now and then, your purchase will look great for many years to come.