How to Clean a Shaggy Rug

First, know your rug

• Synthetic shaggy (polyester, polypropylene): the most common type; it can be cleaned at home with a neutral carpet shampoo.
• Wool, leather or handmade shaggy: more delicate; send these rugs to a professional carpet cleaner.
• Read the label: the label on the underside of the rug gives the material and washing advice; machine washing is only done if the label allows it.
• Backing: rugs with a latex or fabric backing can be damaged by too much water; try not to wet the backing.

How to clean a shaggy rug: regular care

• Turn the rug over outdoors or on the balcony and shake it, or beat it gently from the back; dust and sand from deep in the pile fall out.
• On the vacuum, use a brushless or suction-only head instead of a rotating brush head; a rotating brush tangles in the long pile and pulls the fibres.
• Move the vacuum slowly in the direction of the pile, without pressing down.
• Remove hair and threads left in the pile by hand or with a wide-toothed comb.
• Turn the rug round from time to time; constant footfall on the same spot flattens the pile.

Stains on a shaggy rug

• Act at once: blot spilled liquid with kitchen paper without rubbing; rubbing pushes the stain down to the base of the pile.
• Do a colour test: first try the product on a hidden corner of the rug.
• Stain remover: apply a sponge dampened with TETİK Binbir Stain Remover or TETİK carpet shampoo diluted as on the label, pressing it onto the stain from the outside in.
• Remove the foam: lift the foam and dirt by pressing with a cloth dampened with clean water and thoroughly wrung out; do not leave product residue in the rug.
• Use little water: do not soak the stained area; then press out the water with a dry towel.
• For details by type of stain, see the guide how to use carpet shampoo.
• For faux fur rugs, see the guide how to wash a faux fur rug.

How to wash a shaggy rug at home

If the whole synthetic shaggy rug needs washing at home, first shake it out and vacuum it thoroughly. Lay the rug on a flat surface where water can drain away, such as a balcony or terrace. Dilute TETİK carpet shampoo with water as on the label and spread the foam with a soft brush or sponge in the direction of the pile, without pressing; do not drench the rug by pouring buckets of water over it. Lift the foam and dirt with a sponge dampened with clean water, repeat until no shampoo residue remains and press out excess water with dry towels. Small shaggy mats and rugs can be machine washed only if the label allows it, on the programme and temperature on the label. It is safer to send large, heavy rugs with a thick backing to a carpet cleaning company.

How to clean a white shaggy rug

On a white shaggy rug, dirt, shoe dust and shampoo residue show quickly on the light pile. Regular shaking and vacuuming stop dirt from settling at the base of the pile. Stains should be cleaned without delay as described above, and shampoo residue must always be removed; product left in the rug attracts dirt and makes it look yellowish. Do not use bleach on a white rug; the fibres can be damaged and yellowing can get worse. For yellowing or greying that does not lift with cleaning, contact a carpet cleaning company.

Drying

• Lay the rug on a flat surface or so that air can reach both sides; do not fold or roll up a wet rug.
• Dry it in an airy, shaded place; coloured rugs can fade in direct sunlight.
• Make sure the backing and the base of the pile are completely dry; a rug left damp can become musty and smell bad.
• Do not walk on the rug or put furniture on it until it is completely dry.
• Once dry, fluff up the pile by hand or with a wide-toothed comb.
• On why a washed or new rug smells: carpet smell.

What not to do

• Using a rotating brush head on long pile.
• Rubbing the stain or scrubbing it with a stiff brush.
• Drenching the rug or leaving it wet.
• Using bleach and solvents.
• Leaving shampoo residue in the rug.
• Washing wool, leather and handmade shaggy rugs at home.
• Pulling out single strands that stick up from the rug; trim them level with the surface of the rug with scissors.

For carpet cleaning companies and hotels

Carpet cleaning companies should plan washing, and especially drying time, for long-pile rugs according to the thickness of the rug and make sure the backing is completely dry before delivery. In hotels and offices, vacuuming shaggy rugs without a rotating brush and dealing with stains quickly should be part of daily care. TETİK carpet shampoo is produced in 1 kg, 5 kg, 20 kg and 30 kg and TETİK Binbir Stain Remover (carpet shampoo) in 30 kg packs. For the products you can see the carpet shampoo & room fragrance page, and for bulk purchases you can request a quote.