How Often Should I Clean My Rugs? - Gallagher's (2024)

As a general rule, most rugs should be cleaned every 12-18 months, but a variety of factors can make it a good idea to clean your rugs more often or less often than that. It all depends on the type of rugs you have, your lifestyle, and the elements your rugs are exposed to.

In this post you’ll learn:

  • Why professional rug cleaning is necessary
  • How to decide when your rugs need to be cleaned
  • The benefits of cleaning your rugs on a regular basis

How Professional Rug Cleaning Works

No two rugs are alike. A very sturdy, very dirty rug needs to be treated differently than an extremely delicate rug that’s only a little bit dirty. That’s why we carefully inspect and hand wash every rug that’s brought to our facility here in Portland. High-quality rug cleaning is a multi-step process:

Pre-Cleaning Inspection:We closely examine your rug to identify stains, odors, heavy traffic areas, and the specific dyes and fibers your rug is made of. We also see if there’s damage that needs repair or any other special issues. Then we give you an exact quote for the cleaning.

Dust Removal:Dust can really settle into a rug over time. Often you can’t even see it! We thoroughly dust your rug to remove dust, dirt, and other sediments that regular vacuuming and cleaning products can’t.

Washing:We create a customized cleaning formula for each rug, taking special precautions to protect your rug’s delicate fibers and avoid dye bleeding and dye transfer problems. We do this for two reasons:

  1. Acustomized formula can target specific types of soiling, stains, microorganisms, and odors.
  2. Different rug fibers (like synthetics and wool) need to be cleaned differently. We know how to get your rug clean without damaging it.

Pet Urine Removal:Pet urine accidents happen, but they don’t have to ruin your rug! For badly saturated rugs, we submerge your rug in our enzyme pond to remove stains and neutralize odors. An enzyme spot treatment may work just as well for small stains. Learn more abouturine removal.

Drying:Our environmentally controlled drying room keeps your rug safe and uncontaminated as it dries naturally. Controlled drying is especially important for rugs with odor issues or fast-moving dye sets.

Post-Cleaning Inspection:We do another inspection after the cleaning process to ensure that we send you home with a beautiful, clean rug you’ll be proud to display in your home.

Now you know how the cleaning process works, and you know that most rugs should be cleaned about every 12-18 months, but it’s more complicated than that. Let’s look at what types of rugs need to be cleaned more or less often than the traditional 12-18 months.

You May Need to Clean a Rug MoreOften if…

1. It’s in a high traffic area.

Rugs in entryways, hallways, living rooms, and other frequently traversed rooms may need to be cleaned more often. Dirt and dust can set in gradually, making them easy to miss. Keep an eye on the appearance and smell of your rug, and you’ll probably know when it’s time for a cleaning.

2. You have pets or young kids.

Pets are wonderful companions, and children bring so much joy to our lives. Unfortunately, pets track in dirt, mud, pollen, and all kinds of other things from outside. Plus, even the best behaved pets have accidents sometimes. Similarly, your kids probably aren’t as concerned with cleanliness as you are.

How Often Should I Clean My Rugs? - Gallagher's (1)

3. You have allergies.

You might be surprised how many pollens,dust mites, and other allergens can accumulate in a rug. If you have allergies that just won’t go away, your rugs and carpets (and possible other upholstery) may be to blame.

4. You’re a “shoes on” home.

Just like your pets, your shoes also track in debris from outside. As you could probably guess, wearing your shoes around the house might mean you’ll have to clean your rug more often.

5. You notice your rug is looking dirty.

Some rugs (especially light colored rugs) show several signs of dirtiness. Keep your eyes open for:

  • Heavy spotting or staining

  • Noticeable odors

  • Greying or shadowing

  • Noticeable traffic lanes

You May Need to Clean a Rug LessOften if…

1. It’s in a rarely-used room.

Do you have a guest bedroom you hardly ever use? A dining room you only use on special occasions? You may be able to get away with cleaning rugs in those rooms a little less often.

How Often Should I Clean My Rugs? - Gallagher's (2)

2. You’re a meticulous cleaner.

If you already follow a meticulous cleaning routine, you may be catching some of the dirt, oil, and other debris before they settle into your rug. Just keep in mind that your rugs still need a professional cleaning — vacuums and at-home cleaning products simply can’t remove everything that professionals can.

3. It isn’t exposed to the elements much.

No pets, no kids, and no shoes in the house? You may be able to stretch the 12-18 month recommendation a bit.

The Benefits of Regular Rug Cleanings

Many people find that getting their rugs deep cleaned on a regular basis is beneficial for their home, health, and peace of mind. Even if you’re generally pretty tidy, you might be surprised at the difference a professional cleaning can make.

The main benefits are:

  • A longer-lasting rug.No matter what material they’re made of, clean, well-cared-for rugs last longer.
  • A fresher smelling home.A clean rug doesn’t smell like anything, but a dirty one can stink up the whole house over time.
  • A more beautiful rug.You’d be amazed at the difference we see in many of the rugs we clean at our Portland facility. Many people don’t even know how dirty their rug is until they see it clean!
  • A healthier environment.Allergens, microorganisms, and bacteria live in dirty rugs. A good professional cleaning can remove them, contributing to a more hygienic home.
  • Less stress.Are you the kind of person who gets stressed out when you’re stuck in a cluttered or unclean environment? Do yourself a favor and get those rugs freshened up.

Final Thoughts

Do you still have questions about how often to clean one of your rugs? Do you have a technical question about our cleaning process?

If you’d like a free rug cleaning estimate (or you’d just like to learn more) give us a call at(503) 477-4097or simply drop your rugs off at our facility anytime (get directions).

How Often Should I Clean My Rugs? - Gallagher's (3)

How Often Should I Clean My Rugs? - Gallagher's (2024)

FAQs

How Often Should I Clean My Rugs? - Gallagher's? ›

As a general rule, most rugs should be cleaned every 12-18 months, but a variety of factors can make it a good idea to clean your rugs more often or less often than that. It all depends on the type of rugs you have, your lifestyle, and the elements your rugs are exposed to.

How often should wool rugs be cleaned? ›

Wool rugs are sturdy floor coverings that can last a lifetime. Regular vacuuming and spot-treating stains as they happen will keep a wool rug looking its best, but on a yearly basis, it's a good idea to treat your wool rug to a deep cleaning.

How often should you clean under area rugs? ›

Area rugs should be cleaned once a year, maybe longer between cleanings for rooms with less traffic. Do a maintenance check on your area rugs and the floor underneath. Schedule more frequently if there is a pet in the house. Use this time to change the decor in your home.

Is it worth it to clean a rug? ›

Prolongs the life of the rug

Regular professional carpet deep cleaning lifts out accumulated dirt and grime from your rug, removes stains, and preserves its quality for years to come. Rug fibers are damaged by dirt particles, which compromise the structure of the rug over time.

How many years should a rug last? ›

Signs of rug wear and tear include worn fabric, faded color and matted fibers. There is no way to restore wear and tear on an area rug. The typical lifespan of area rugs run anywhere from 5 to 10 years.

How do professionals clean wool rugs? ›

Clean in Small Sections

Starting at one end of the rug and working in small sections, sponge the detergent mixture onto the rug and scrub gently. Be careful not to over-wet the rug—wool can absorb a lot of water, and you don't want to get soap and moisture deep into the fibers.

What is the lifespan of a wool rug? ›

A good quality, hand-knotted wool rug can last anywhere between 25 to 100 years and even longer. There are two main reasons for the durability of wool rugs. The first reason is the wool fiber itself. Wool is a tough natural fiber that is hardy enough to withstand a lot of wear.

Can a wool rug get moldy? ›

Wool rugs have fibers that allow moisture to pass through efficiently. This creates a less-than-ideal environment for mildew and mold growth.

Should I clean the underside of my rug? ›

Vacuum frequently, removing the rug occasionally to vacuum the floor underneath. Many of these rugs are reversible; flip them every time you vacuum for even wear. To clean stains or discolorations on a room-size natural-fiber rug, leave it in place. Protect the floor beneath it with a plastic drop cloth and towel.

Should I vacuum my rug everyday? ›

How often should you vacuum fabrics, carpet, and rugs? Anything with fabric or upholstery needs frequent vacuuming. Dust settles deep into the fibers, holding onto pollutants, bacteria, and unwanted smells. Plan to vacuum carpet and area rugs at least twice per week, even if they don't look dirty.

Should you clean both sides of a rug? ›

Before wetting your rug, remove as much dust as possible. A good vacuuming of both sides can take care of dust, but if possible, take a rug outside and beat it over a balcony or rail. Rug Chick's site has a great how-to video on vacuuming as well.

How many times should you go over a rug with a carpet cleaner? ›

You shouldn't need to make more than two passes with cleaning solution (especially if you pre-treated stains) when deep cleaning your carpet. Make additional passes without spray button pressed.

How long does a Rug Doctor take to clean a room? ›

A typical room with carpet will take 20 minutes to deep clean. With the exception of the biggest houses, you can rent a Rug Doctor, clean your carpet, and return a Rug Doctor in under 4 hours.

Does Rug Doctor remove dust mites? ›

Unlike a vacuum cleaner, the Rug Doctor goes beyond the carpet's surface to extract deeply embedded grime – in just one pass! Our unique cleaning process wipes out all kinds of nasties, from skin particles and dust mite droppings to irritating allergens.

Why does my rug get dirty so fast? ›

Area rugs can hold on to a lot of dirt, pet hair, and other grime—especially if you place them in high-traffic areas, and people track in dirt from the outside on their shoes.

Are you supposed to wash rugs in the washing machine? ›

Yes, most rugs, especially those made of cotton or synthetic fibres, are suitable for machine washing. Place them in your washing machine with towels on a gentle cycle using cold water. However, be cautious with rugs that have rubber backs, as frequent or intensive washing can cause damage.

How do you clean a rug daily? ›

Basic Area Rug Care

Vacuum large area rugs to remove dirt: As with carpet, regular vacuuming is the most important area rug cleaning step you can take. If a rug is reversible, vacuum both sides. This removes grit and grime that can wear out your rug prematurely. Take care not to vacuum any fringe.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Edmund Hettinger DC

Last Updated:

Views: 6444

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (58 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Edmund Hettinger DC

Birthday: 1994-08-17

Address: 2033 Gerhold Pine, Port Jocelyn, VA 12101-5654

Phone: +8524399971620

Job: Central Manufacturing Supervisor

Hobby: Jogging, Metalworking, Tai chi, Shopping, Puzzles, Rock climbing, Crocheting

Introduction: My name is Edmund Hettinger DC, I am a adventurous, colorful, gifted, determined, precious, open, colorful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.