Rugs are very essential materials used to decorate the house. They add beauty to the house and make the floor more comfortable and cozy.
However, in addition to bringing beauty and comfort to the environments, carpets also accumulate a large amount of dust and mites, which can trigger cases of respiratory problems or aggravate existing conditions. Therefore, it is extremely important to maintain a routine of frequent cleaning of the rugs in the home.
Woven rugs were first used to cover wooden floors and provide our ancestors’ homes with warmth and charm. Today, braided rugs provide a home with accents and comfort. Most rugs, such as braided rugs must be professionally cleaned on occasion. Cleaning a braided rug by yourself saves time and money.
Care must be taken when cleaning a braided rug to get the best results. To achieve that, this post has been carefully written to help you clean your braided rugs through the best means, using the best products.
Some of the things you will need include:
Required Steps :
- Check the label: The first thing to do when you want to clean a braided rug is to check its care label. This will enable you to know if the rug has any special cleaning needs.
This is because some rugs do not respond well to vacuum cleaners or other harsh conditions. Some cleaning solvents and detergents also affect braided rugs hence the need to check the care label.
- Take the rug out to an open space and remove the dust: You can start by using a broom and further using a vacuum cleaner to remove the remaining dust and dirt. Never use the roller brush on braided rugs as it will damage the carpet.
- Spray the carpet down with a dry cleaning solvent: Hardware and home improvement stores carry these solvents. Sponge the solvent onto the carpet. Move with the braids. This technique removes all the dirt trapped in the depths of the braids.
Crochet Rugs
The ideal is to clean the crochet rugs with water and mild soap. To do this, wet the rag and rub the soap gently, let it act for a few minutes and then rinse. Place in a shady location.
If the crochet rug is very dirty, prepare a mixture of 500ml of warm water, two spoons of baking soda, and 100ml of hydrogen peroxide. Dip the rug into the solution and let it act for 30 minutes. Then just rinse and allow it to dry in the shade.
It is important to note that, as they are made by hand, crochet rugs are very delicate and therefore should never be placed in the washing machine.
Fuzzy Rugs
The shaggy rugs are more likely to accumulate dust and therefore demand more care to clean than others.
To get you started, you can vacuum to remove excess dust and then apply a solution of water and neutral detergent all over the carpet – if you prefer, you can add a little fabric softener to give it a little smell and leave the softer carpet.
Rub the entire rug lightly in the direction of the hair, using a soft brush or the smooth part of the sponge. Then wipe with a cloth moistened with warm water to remove the detergent and other residues. Let it dry naturally in a well-ventilated place.
Braided rugs must dry properly, as, on the contrary, they may have a bad smell.
To avoid the unpleasant smell, spray a little vinegar, as the substance will neutralize odors and even fight microorganisms that can survive after washing.
Clean stains with ammonia or vinegar. If the rug has no colors that run, use ammonia. Use vinegar on rugs with colors that don’t run. Spray or beat the stain with vinegar or ammonia and leave it to sit for at least 10 minutes. Clean the area with a damp sponge to remove the stain.
Wash or dry clean the rug from time to time. If the rug is machine washable, clean it in your washing machine in a gentle cycle, depending on the size of the rug. If the rug needs just dry cleaning, dry clean it once a year or every other year, depending on the traffic the rug receives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Braided Rugs Be Washed?
Yes, braided rugs can be washed. When it comes to washing a handmade rug, many people wonder if the piece, made with such care on a handmade loom or by hand, will resist the bath. Braided rugs do not resist washing, they can be washed at home. Braided rugs can be washed using a washing machine (unless stated otherwise in the label) but do not leave soap residues on them. These residues deteriorate the fibers and impair the dyeing.
It is always necessary to use neutral soap, without bleach in the formula. It should be applied in small quantities with the help of a brush and removed with cold water. If the carpet is colored, adding a little vinegar to the washing water helps to maintain the colors and dry gently.
Can You Steam Clean a Braided Rug?
Braided rugs should not be steam cleaned. This is because the steam will make the rug to shrink and lose its original nature. Steam cleaning a braided rug will also cause it to lose its color. Because of this, they should not be steam cleaned. Gentle cleaning, as described in the article above is the best for this kind of rug.
Can You Vacuum a Braided Rug?
Yes. A braided rug can be vacuum cleaned. You can vacuum both sides of the rug using a soft toothed vacuum cleaner. Also, remember to vacuum in horizontal and vertical directions to completely remove dirt and dust from the rug.
What Is The Best Material For A Braided Rug?
The best material for a braided rug is wool. Wool is mostly chosen while making a braided rug because of its characteristic durability and sturdy nature. It has been observed that a braided rug made of quality wool lasts longer than some other materials.
Another material widely used for making braided rugs is cotton but it is not as sturdy as wool. There are other available materials for making braided rugs. They include jute (widely used because of its high tensile strength and good wear), synthetic materials, and more.
How Do You Clean a Handmade Braided Rug?
Crochet rugs are made by hand thus they should not be put in the washing machine, but they can receive water and coconut soap. Wet the rug and rub the soap, let it act for a few minutes and then rinse. You can put it to dry in the shade.
If the rug is very dirty, prepare a basin with a mixture of 500 ml of warm water, two tablespoons of baking soda, and 100 ml of hydrogen peroxide. Dip the crochet rug there and let it sit for half an hour. Then just rinse and let dry in the shade, preferably without hanging so it doesn’t slack.
How Do You Remove Stains From A Braided Rug?
To remove stains from a braided rug, the idea is to prepare a mixture of water and vinegar – in the same proportion. Apply the mixture over the stain, rub with a soft cloth or sponge, and then finish with a dry cloth.
In the case of a model that cannot be wet, the best alternative is to use a spray bottle to apply the solution. Spray the mixture of water and vinegar, let it act for a few minutes, and then press a paper towel over the stain.
In all cases, the recommendation is not to let the stain dry on the part. So clean up as soon as possible.
How To Clean An Old Braided Rug?
Cleaning an old braided rug follows the same procedure as a normal braided rug. The only difference is that you handle an old rug with extreme care. Avoid steam cleaning an old rug, it weakens it and removes the color.
Care and Maintenance of Braided Rugs
Now that you know how to clean a carpet, here are some care and maintenance tips to make sure the piece lasts much longer.
Avoid Chemicals
Chemicals, especially stronger ones, are not a good choice for cleaning braided rugs. The ideal is to bet on coconut soap, detergent, and neutral soap, and homemade mixes that use water, vinegar, and baking soda.
If you use stronger products to clean the carpet, even if it is intended to remove stains, you risk damaging the piece. Bleach, for example, should never be used on a braided rug.
Immediate Cleaning in Case of Accidents
Accidents happen and you know it. Instead of ignoring that trickle of sauce, that soda, or the pieces of food that fell on the carpet, clean it up immediately. In the case of colored liquids, prefer to use a white cloth, so that you can identify whether it has been removed completely.
Also avoid rubbing, as it may end up making even more dirt, especially in the case of liquids and sauces.
Take Off Your Shoes Before Entering The House
Get into the habit of taking off your shoes before entering the house. You can leave slippers or other shoes “to wear at home” by the door. The footwear you wore on the street can be taken to the place where it will be stored, it just shouldn’t be worn inside the house. This way you avoid taking dirt from outside the house.
