Rugs have been around for a long time. They have been used for thousands of years to keep our feet warm and our homes protected.
They add to the beauty of your home and add to the ambiance of the room. As time goes on, however, the rugs we use to make our homes warm and cozy become dirty and filthy.
It doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to throw it out, rather, you need to wash them by using different techniques. Power washing is one of such techniques to clean a rug but can be a difficult task. But it can have a dramatic impact on an old dirty rug.
Once a year you need to give your rug a good power washing to remove any buildup of dirt and grime that you might have missed.
This blog will tell you can you power wash a rug and the different steps involved in getting your rug as clean as possible.
Steps: Can you Power Wash a Rug?
Yes, a rug can be pressure washed without causing damage if the pressure is kept below 1500 PSI, the water is cold, and the detergent is particularly developed for carpets.
Accessories for pressure washing rugs include a 25-degree green nozzle, an all-bright broom, and a pressure washer brush, which can be used instead of a pressure washer brush.
Pressure washing a rug must be done outside on a hard surface in order to be effective. Before utilizing a pressure washer to clean the rug, it is necessary to remove all dirt from both sides of the carpet and apply a stain treatment to the rug fibers themselves.
Pressure washing a rug should not be done at a distance closer than 12 inches and walking barefoot on the wet area should be avoided if possible, for the sake of safety.
It is recommended that you use a pressure washer brush directly on the rug’s surface. The following section goes into detail on how to pressure wash a rug.
In order to clean your rug, you’ll need a large area with enough space where the rug can get soapy and wet without coming into contact with dirt, mud, or dust.
Due to the fact that utilizing a pressure washer indoors is not a good idea; any clean location outdoors will suffice.
The most preferred place is a concrete slab, or even better, if you have a wooden deck, that is even more desirable.
Getting Things Started
To begin, turn your rug upside down and thoroughly sweep it to remove all of the loose debris and hair that has accumulated on its surface.
After that, you can take a minute to locate all of the stubborn filthy spots and gently cleanse them with a soft cleansing gel. Make sure not to use too much gel; even the mildest gel might produce discoloration in your rug if you use too much of it.
If the stains have not been removed, you should gently brush the spots with a soft-bristle brush or a cotton towel after approximately a minute to see if they have been gone.
If this is not the case, please wait another minute. In addition to assisting the stain remover in its work, brushing will aid to prevent your rug from potential discoloration.
Make the detergent or cleaning solution according to package directions
You can make the solution in a basin by filling it halfway with water and adding the recommended amount of dishwashing detergent.
It is important to note that you should only use detergents that are appropriate for your rug using any other type may have negative consequences.
On the internet, you should be able to find the appropriate information quickly and easily. Allow the rug to soak for approximately 10 minutes in your solution.
However, if your rug is sensitive, such as a wool rug, limit the time you spend on it to no more than 5 minutes. A synthetic rug can withstand 10 minutes of exposure.
Assure that the pressure washer is properly prepared for cleaning
Before you start using the pressure washer, make sure to give it a thorough inspection. It should be well-oiled, with all of the accessories and attachments securely fastened.
If your washer does not have a soap tank, you can just apply the detergent directly to the rug’s fibers to clean it. Now, hold the wand close to, but not against, your rug and pull the trigger on your washer to start the cycle.
Cleaning an area rug
Pass the nozzle of your washer over your rug at a reasonably slow speed to remove dirt and dust and to clear out soiled areas. Make certain that you clean the entire carpet with your cleaner.
If your rug is particularly large, you may be able to tread onto it; nevertheless, you should only do so barefoot, as shoes will undoubtedly damage the rug.
Keep in mind that there is a slight danger that you will slip and fall. After you’ve cleaned your rug with water, you may properly rinse it to remove all of the soap, leaving it looking bright and beautiful again.
Make certain that you thoroughly rinse the rug’s surface and that no traces of soap are left behind after rinsing.
Choose an appropriate location for drying your rug that will not be accessible by the wind, which can blow all kinds of filth right back onto it throughout the process.
Because your rug will be able to dry in the sunlight, many people prefer to hang their rugs on clotheslines for this purpose.
Actually, drying your rug outside in the sun is the most highly suggested technique of drying because it produces the greatest results.
If there are any odors left, this approach will eliminate them and allow your rug to remain smelling fresh and clean for a longer period of time.
Place your rug in an area where pets and little children will not be present. This is because clean rugs have a tendency of attracting little feet and paws.
What to Do and What Not to Do?
Here is a quick list of do’s and don’ts to keep in mind when cleaning your rug to ensure you receive the best results possible:
Do’s and Don’ts Make sure you’re using the right detergent or cleaning solution.
- You should avoid using a haphazard solution or detergent because you might entirely destroy the appearance and color of your rug if you use the incorrect product or solution.
- Make use of the appropriate equipment.
- You will only end up generating more problems by utilizing insufficient equipment, and you will not achieve the perfect clean.
- Apply the appropriate amount of pressure.
- If you apply too much or too little power to the washer, your cleaning experience will be ruined because the washer will not work to its maximum capacity.
- Maintain the appropriate distance
- Keep in mind that you need to strike a healthy balance – being too close or too far away will not produce satisfactory results in the long run.
- Check to see if your rug can be washed at high pressure.
- If your rug was not designed to withstand the pressurized treatment it will receive from a pressure washer, you will almost certainly destroy it.
- Do not use hot water at any time. Using hot water can enhance the pressure being applied by your pressure washer, which is not a smart option in this situation.
- Maintain a safe distance between you and the nozzle.
- It is possible to damage your rug by bringing the washer’s nozzle too close to the rug. The recommended spacing between the two objects is approximately 12 inches.
FAQs Related to The Topic
Conclusion
A pressure washer can be used to clean your rug, and it is not as tough as you might imagine. If you do it correctly, an old and unsightly rug can be transformed into something new and attractive in no time.
You may make the process more comfortable by carefully following the stages; in this case, you will not even want the services of a professional.
There aren’t many things you’ll need for this project: a driveway, some cleaning gear, including your pressure washer, and a location to dry the rug.
You should also be sure to read the directions that come with your pressure unit in order to achieve the best results. I hope you will understand that can you power wash a rug?
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