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Originally Posted On: How To Clean a Shag Rug in 5 Simple-to-Follow Steps (howtodothings.com)

What are the benefits of using area rugs? They’re soft, comfortable, and great at absorbing sounds. Not only that, but they can lower your heating bill by insulating the area.

That’s not to say that they don’t have any disadvantages, though.

For one thing, they can be a tripping hazard. They also have a tendency of accumulating dust, dirt, and other debris. That’s why it’s so important to vacuum them regularly.

Did you recently get one? Looking for a guide on how to clean a shag rug? Then you’re at the right place. Keep reading for everything that you need to know about cleaning shag rugs!

Take the rug outdoors and give it a good shake. If necessary, hang it over a porch railing and hit it a few times with a broom to loosen some of the embedded dirt.

Leave the rug outside for a couple of hours. The sun’s rays will help to kill any bacteria that are present.

Ideally, you want to vacuum your shag rug once a week. Consider doing it more often if you have children or pets.

Set the vacuum to a high pile setting and let it suction out the dirt. Make sure not to use the beater bar as the whirling action can tear or pull out strands.

When you’re done, flip the rug over and vacuum the woven underside. You can use the beater bar to remove more dirt.

You can freshen up the rug by using a bit of dry shampoo. Sprinkle it onto the rug and work in the granules with the vacuum’s cleaning head (don’t turn it on).

Let the shampoo sit for at least 30 minutes before vacuuming the granules out.

Shag rugs should be steam cleaned once or twice a year. For the best results, do it after vacuuming.

Fill the steam cleaner with water and use it to sanitize the rug. You can speed up the drying process by using a fan (shag rugs tend to absorb a lot of water so it can take a while for them to dry).

Blot away the liquid with a paper towel or clean cloth. Always work from the outside toward the center to prevent the stain from spreading.

Spray a liberal amount of carpet cleaning product over the spot. Continue to blot until the stain is gone. Depending on the product, you may have to rinse the rug with water afterward.

Hopefully, that gives you a better understanding of how to clean a shag rug. Remember, when it comes to stains, you want to act fast. The longer you wait, the harder they’ll be to remove.

For more guides like this, check out the rest of our blog!