How To Clean A Tufted Rug (4 Best Methods Revealed)

Tufted rugs are comfortable floor coverings with dense fibers typically made of wool. Unlike normal rugs that are created with knots, tufted rugs are pulled through the backing material and then glued on. 

As with any rug, tufted rugs can accumulate dust, dirt, and pet hair over time. They may also become riddled with stains from food or liquids being spilled onto them. Dirt and stains can give these types of rugs an unsightly appearance and make them uncomfortable to step on. 

For this reason, it is advisable to clean them regularly. To clean a tufted rug, you should first vacuum it thoroughly and then wash it with a suitable cleaning solution. Next, you should leave the tufted rug in a warm and dry place to air-dry.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know from how to clean a tufted rug to regular maintenance, ensuring that it will last for years to come. We’ll also dedicate a section where we answer some frequently asked questions from our readers.

Method 1: Using a Vacuum Cleaner

Vacuuming is an easy and effective method when it comes to cleaning tufted rugs. This is because it easily gets rid of dust, dirt, pet hair, and other particles embedded in the rug’s fibers. However, it is ideal that you only use this method when the rug is free of stains.

If your tufted rug show signs of staining, then refer to some other methods suggested below. If your tufted rug is free of stains, then you would ideally want to vacuum it once a week if it isn’t used frequently.

Should your tufted rug be located in a region that receives high foot traffic, it’s recommended that you vacuum it once every 2 to 3 days. It’s also important to remember that if you have pets at home, then you should vacuum your tufted rug every other day.

Cleaning Instructions

You can use various types of vacuums on your tufted rug, such as a handheld one like the BLACK+DECKER Handheld Vacuum. Handheld vacuums are great because they are gentle and allow you to target specific spots.

They also allow you to reach tight spots, such as the portion of the rug under a table or the couch. If you opt to use a full-size vacuum cleaner, you should avoid using the rotary brush attachment or beater bar, as these can damage the rug’s fibers.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to clean your tufted rug using a vacuum cleaner:

1. Turn on the vacuum cleaner and approach your rug.
2. Bring it down to the rug’s top left surface and begin vacuuming from left to right in straight lines, ensuring each line slightly overlaps with the previous one.
3. Once you have reached the bottom right corner of your rug, repeat this process about 3 to 5 times to ensure all the embedded particles have been thoroughly removed.

Method 2: Using Dish Soap & Warm Water

Using a vacuum cleaner may not be able to remove stains from your tufted rug. Therefore, you might need to resort to other cleaning methods to remove various types of stains. 

If you have spilled coffee or wine onto your tufted rug, you can use a cleaning solution consisting of dish soap and warm water to clean it. This method will work for both fresh and dry coffee or wine stains. However, it’s recommended that you clean such stains immediately before they dry.

Cleaning Instructions

Before you start the cleaning process, set aside a clean spray bottle, some dish soap, and warm water. Then, follow the guide below for further instructions on how to clean your tufted rug with dish soap and warm water: 

1. Create your cleaning solution by combining ¼ teaspoon of dish soap with one cup of warm water and emptying the mixture into a spray bottle. 
2. Give your spray bottle a good shake and then spray the cleaning solution onto the stained portions of your tufted rug.
3. Allow the cleaning solution to sit on the rug for 5 minutes before blotting the area with a clean damp cloth. Repeat this process as many times as necessary to remove the stain.
4. Then, press a dry cloth over the damp region once the stain is gone to soak up any excess water and wring it over a sink. You may need to repeat this process a couple of times until the stain has dried up.
5. Lastly, allow your tufted rug to air dry in a cool and ventilated area.

Method 3: Using White Vinegar & Warm Water

If your tufted rug has lighter stains from juice or sauce, you can use a cleaning solution consisting of white vinegar and warm water to clean it. Vinegar is great at removing stains because it is a natural disinfectant that works its way into the fibers and loosens stain particles.

This cleaning solution works well on both fresh and dried light stains. However, you will need to put in more effort to remove dried stains, as they have hardened and are tougher to remove.

Cleaning Instructions

Here’s a simple step-by-step guide on how you can clean off light stains using a mixture of white vinegar and warm water:

1. Start by creating your cleaning solution by combining ¼ teaspoon of white vinegar with 4 cups of warm water and emptying the mixture into a spray bottle. 
2. Give your spray bottle a good shake and then spray the cleaning solution onto the stained portions of your tufted rug.
3. Blot the region with a clean dry cloth. 
4. Repeat this process as many times as necessary to remove the stain.
5. Let your tufted rug air dry in a cool and ventilated area.

Method 4: Using Baking Soda & Vacuum

The next method is something you may already have in your home. Baking soda is a great ingredient to use if you’re looking to remove fresh stains from tufted rugs. It works particularly well for fresh pet urine stains as it helps to absorb the urine from seeping into the rug’s fibers. 

Other than that, baking soda also helps to eliminate odors. Therefore, it’s incredibly useful if you’re worried about your pet’s urine leaving unpleasant odors on your tufted rug.

Cleaning Instructions

It is recommended that you clean your pet’s urine stain using this method while it’s still fresh. You may use the dish soap and warm water method instead if you’re dealing with dried pet urine stains. Simply follow the steps below: 

1. Firstly, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda onto the freshly stained area of your rug.
2. Allow the baking soda to sit for about 10 to 15 minutes, as it starts to absorb the liquid from the stain.
3. Then, use a vacuum cleaner to remove the baking soda from the rug and repeat if needed.
4. Lastly, let your tufted rug air dry in a cool and ventilated area.

Best Ways To Maintain A Clean Tufted Rug

It’s essential to take care of your tufted rug if you’d like to maintain its new and pristine appearance. Some of these maintenance tasks include vacuuming frequently, removing stains before they are set, using a rug pad, changing the rug location regularly, and more.

In this section, we’ll cover some ways you can maintain your tufted rug properly to ensure it’ll continuously look brand new. 

• Vacuum It Frequently – Vacuuming your tufted carpet frequently will get rid of embedded particles such as dust, dirt, and pet hair. These particles may take longer to remove if you allow them to accumulate.
• Remove Stains Before They Set – Stains are much harder to remove once set. For this reason, you should try addressing them as soon as they occur.
• Avoid Rubbing When Cleaning Stains – You should avoid rubbing while cleaning stains because this action not only pushes the stain deeper into the rug but also spreads it to clean areas. Instead, you should blot it gently.
• Use A Rug Pad – Placing a rug pad under your rug prevents it from being in direct contact with the floor and the dust and dirt it contains. This can keep your rug looking fresh and pristine for longer while extending its lifespan.
• Change Rug Location Every Other Month – Move your rug to a new location each month to prevent objects resting on it from leaving indents in the fibers.
• Seek Professional Help If Needed – If you haven’t cleaned your rug in months or if it has accumulated persistent odors, you should turn to professional rug cleaners for help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cleaning a tufted rug presents many challenges due to the rug’s fragile nature. The process requires lots of attention, so you should familiarize yourself with the correct methods for cleaning different types of stains.

Below, we have compiled and answered some of the most pressing questions our readers have about cleaning tufted rugs effectively.

How Long Does It Take To Clean A Tufted Rug?

The length of time it will take you to clean a tufted rug depends on the rug’s condition and your chosen cleaning method. A heavily soiled rug will take much longer to clean and may require you to use multiple cleaning methods compared to a lightly soiled or stained one.

In most cases, it shouldn’t take you longer than 15 minutes to clean ordinary stains. On the other hand, vacuuming the rug should only take around 5 minutes.

How Often Should I Clean My Tufted Rug?

You should generally vacuum your tufted rug once a week. This is necessary because sand, dirt, and pet hair become trapped in the rug’s fibers. If you have high amounts of foot traffic in your home or own a pet, you should vacuum your tufted rug every other day.

There’s no fixed schedule with which you must remove stains. Instead, you should clean up any stains the moment you notice them. Otherwise, you should inspect your rug and check for stains once every two weeks.

Can I Wash My Tufted Rug In A Washing Machine?

You shouldn’t wash your tufted rug in a washing machine. This is because these rugs are fragile and their fibers will shed due to the washing machine’s rough washing cycle. Using a washing machine could also permanently warp the rug’s shape.

Why Can’t I Steam Clean My Tufted Rug?

You should never steam clean a tufted rug because it can damage it in different ways. The hot steam may cause the rug to shrink, stretch, and warp, all of which are irreversible damages.

The steam may also cause the rug’s dyes to bleed or fade. Steaming also introduces moisture between tufted rug fibers, and this can lead to the development of mold.

How Long Will My Tufted Rug Last? 

A well-maintained tufted rug should last about 5 to 7 years. However, it is worth getting your tufted rug professionally cleaned once every 2 to 3 years. This will help extend its lifespan and keep it looking fresh all year round!