Bamboo rugs have become increasingly popular, as they are versatile, sustainable, and long-lasting, due to their resistance to rot, mold, and fire. In the right setting, they can give any space an oriental flair and generally pair well with rustic furniture.
Bamboo rugs are also relatively easy to clean, as you’ll only need a basic cleaning solution, a vacuum cleaner, and some common household items. While straightforward, the cleaning process differs slightly from traditional nylon or wool carpets.
In this article, we will guide you on how to clean your bamboo rugs effectively and conveniently, using tools that are readily available in your home. We will also share some tips on keeping your bamboo rugs in excellent condition for years to come. Let’s get started.
1. Give Your Bamboo Rug a Light Shake
Your first step is to dislodge larger pieces of dirt trapped between the bamboo slats. To do this, you will need to roll your rug so that you can easily carry and move it outside. Unroll the rug and hold it by the edge in one hand.
With the other hand, shake and pat the rug lightly to remove excess dust, dirt, and debris. If you’re cleaning a larger bamboo rug, we recommend doing this step with assistance from another person.
Keep in mind that you should avoid using hard objects such as a tennis racket or broomstick to bat the rug as it can scratch or chip the bamboo material.
2. Use a Vacuum Cleaner to Remove Dust
Next, bring the bamboo rug back indoors and place it flat on the floor. In this step, we will detail removing fine dirt, dust particles, and other types of impurities. For this, we recommend using a handheld vacuum cleaner.
Handheld vacuum cleaners are ideal, as they give you easier control and provide you with better accessibility to all areas of your rug. You should also be using a brush extension on your vacuum cleaner to prevent scratches and scuff marks.
To vacuum your bamboo rug, lightly run it across the surface several times. A good technique is to alternate the vacuuming directions to clean it as thoroughly as possible.
3. Clean Your Bamboo Rug
Now that your bamboo rug is free of dirt, debris, and dust, it’s time to start cleaning it. For this, you’ll need a cleaning solution and some common household items. Using a cleaning solution restores its freshness and ensures longevity.
First identify the different parts of your bamboo rug, namely the surface (and individual slats), the natural fiber edges, and the backing. Many bamboo rugs that come with a fabric border or lining can easily collect dust and stains over time.
These parts need careful attention and will need to be cleaned separately using different types of techniques – we’ve listed them down for you below.
Spot-Clean Stains & Marks
Spot-cleaning larger stains and marks is necessary to prevent them from being transferred to cleaner areas of the rug. If there are any fresh spills, make sure to blot and dry them immediately using a lightly damp and non-abrasive cloth.
For spot-cleaning stains, you can use a suitable cleaner. As bamboo is a naturally tough material, you’re able to use any mild off-the-shelf cleaning solution. We recommend using the Rejuvenate High Performance All Floors Cleaner or anything similar, as it is suitable for bamboo rugs.
Simply spray the cleaner on the stain or mark and use a dry cloth and gently spot-clean any affected areas of the rug. The slats of your bamboo rug are often coated with polyurethane for protection, which helps make this process easier.
Clean Natural Fiber Edges & Backing
Most bamboo rugs have natural fiber edges, while some have natural fiber backings that are designed to prevent damage to your flooring. To prolong the lifespan of your bamboo rug, we recommend protecting this backing from stains and excess moisture regularly (especially if they’re placed on hardwood flooring).
To clean and care for the natural fiber edges and backing, you can use a homemade white vinegar solution. Fill a spray bottle with a solution containing white vinegar and warm water (use a 50/50 ratio).
Then, add around 3 full teaspoons of baking soda and mix the bottle by shaking it. Spray this solution on the natural fiber edges and backing, while gently brushing the stained areas with a soft-bristled brush until the edges and backing are clean.
This homemade solution is fast-acting and is designed effectively clean stains while deodorizing the fibers. Moreover, it’s also formulated to remove bacteria and mold.
Clean the Surface with a Damp Cloth
Finally, clean the bamboo surface of the rug using a cloth, slightly damped in either warm water or the homemade vinegar solution that you prepared in the previous step. We’ve even used a suitable floor cleaner with great results.
Make sure to wipe clean the entire surface area and cover the sections that were left out during the spot-cleaning process. This should leave your bamboo rug looking as good as new.
4. Let Your Bamboo Rug Dry Naturally
The last step of the cleaning process is to allow your bamboo rug to dry. While bamboo itself is naturally resistant to water and mold, the natural fiber edges and backing are not. Leaving them damp can lead to unwanted mold growth and in worse cases lead to rot.
Therefore, we recommend drying your bamboo rug in a well-ventilated area, preferably under a fan, near an open window on a shaded verandah, to speed up the process.
You should never dry your bamboo rug under direct sunlight, as the ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage the lignin (an organic polymer) causing the bamboo material to fade or discolor over time.
Best Practices
Now that you’ve learned how to clean and care for your bamboo rug, we would like to share some best practices that are designed to protect and prolong its lifespan.
Apply Felt Pads to Your Furniture
If you are placing your bamboo rugs beneath your furniture, it is important to use felt pads as they can make cleaning easier and extend the lifespan of your rugs. They will also protect your bamboo rugs from getting damaged, scratched, or scuffed.
Keep in mind that you should only ever place light furniture on bamboo rugs, to avoid cracks and dents. While felt pads can prevent damage to it, we recommend avoiding placing furniture over bamboo rugs in general.
Avoid Using Hard Objects to Bat Your Bamboo Rug
When removing dust and debris from your bamboo rugs, avoid using any type of hard objects such as tennis rackets, baseball bats, canes, or broomsticks, as mentioned earlier. Despite being highly durable and sturdy, bamboo slats can get easily scratched, damaged, or even broken.
Simply using your hands to gently pat the bamboo rug, or shaking it lightly is enough to remove any debris that is caught between slats.
Use a Brush Extension When Vacuum Cleaning
When vacuum cleaning your bamboo rug, it is important that you use a brush extension. While other types of rugs are more robust to other vacuum extensions, they can potentially scratch, scuff, and damage the bamboo material.
To ensure that your bamboo rug remains clean and well-maintained, it’s always a good idea to thoroughly vacuum it using a brush extension at least once a month to get rid of excess dust and impurities.
Keep Your Bamboo Rugs Dry
As mentioned previously, bamboo is fairly water-resistant as it’s typically treated with a polyurethane coating. However, keep in mind that the natural fiber edges and backing can still form mold if they are damp or wet over prolonged periods.
Therefore, it is crucial to keep your bamboo rug dry. Dab any spills dry immediately before they reach the backing. If the backing gets wet, allow it to dry completely by flipping the rug over and letting it air in a well-ventilated space.