Best Way To Master Shag Rug Cleaning: How To Wash A Shag Rug

Got a shag rug that needs to be washed but you want to know how to clean a rug yourself? The good news is that you’ve come to the perfect spot. 

Having the right knowledge and guidance is key to washing a shag rug successfully – let us show you how. From preparing your rug for washing and actually washing it, all the way to maintaining it afterwards, we've got everything covered so that you can keep your beautiful piece looking its best. 

So grab some gloves and get ready, let's learn how to wash a shag rug!

Preparing your shag rug for washing

Vacuuming is an essential step when preparing your shag rug for washing. 

If you’ve searched terms like ‘rugs Sydney’ on the web before, then you’d know that vacuums do a great job at gathering dirt, dust, and other particles that can accumulate in the fibres of a rug. To ensure you get the best results, use a vacuum with adjustable suction settings so you can tailor it to your particular rug type. It’s also important to go over each section multiple times until all the dirt has been removed.

Next, spot-cleaning any stains before washing your shag rug is key to prolonging its appearance and preventing damage from occurring. Use a mild detergent or stain remover specifically designed for rugs and apply it directly to the stained area with a damp cloth or sponge. 

Allow it to sit for several minutes before gently scrubbing at the stain using circular motions until it lifts away completely. Rinse off any residue with cold water afterwards and allow it to air dry naturally before vacuuming again once it’s dry.

Additionally, you could use a pre-treatment solution specifically formulated for rugs and then follow the instructions carefully. Make sure not to saturate too much of the fabric, as this could cause discolouration or shrinkage if left too long without being washed out properly. 

Leave the solution on for several minutes before blotting away any excess liquid with paper towels or an absorbent cloth. Once that’s done, rinse off thoroughly with cold water if necessary.

💡KEY TAKEAWAY: It’s crucial that you vacuum and spot-clean any areas with stains. You could also pre-treat these areas through a blotting method before rinsing.

Washing your shag rug

Select a detergent specifically formulated for delicate fabrics to avoid any potential damage or discolouration to your shag rug. This tip also holds true should you need to learn how to wash a wool rug in the future.

Make sure you pick a detergent that's designed for delicate fabrics and won't damage or discolour your rug. When preparing the water, go for a cold or lukewarm temperature. This will help preserve the colour and texture of your shag rug since heat may cause the fabric to deteriorate.

If you have a small shag rug, hand washing is probably best. Fill a bucket with sudsy water to submerge the rug, swish it around by hand to remove dirt, and rinse off any soap in cold water until no more bubbles appear. After this, squeeze out the liquid using an old towel before letting it air dry. 

Before rinsing the rug in cold water, gently agitate it by hand until all the debris has been removed. Be sure to do this until no more suds appear. Finally, squeeze out as much excess liquid as possible using an old towel. Once that’s finished, you can hang the shag rug inside (or outdoors if the weather permits) on a clothesline for air drying.

For larger rugs that are too big for hand washing, machine washing may be necessary. With this, it’s important to tackle topics like ‘What size rug under king bed?’ and ‘what size rug for queen size bed?’ as you might purchase a rug that’s too big for you to handle and wash.

However, before putting the rug into the washer, make sure it fits properly without being scrunched up; otherwise, it’ll come out looking lumpy. 

When machine washing rugs, use only mild laundry detergents specifically designed for delicate fabrics like wool or silk. Anything stronger could cause permanent damage to its fibres over time. 

To ensure even cleaning throughout each cycle, adjust both temperature settings and spin speeds according to manufacturer instructions. Generally, this would start off with a short rinse cycle followed by two gentle wash cycles at low temperatures (30°C max).

Once done washing by machine, give your freshly washed rug one final rinse in cool, clean water. Then, similar to hand washing, you can remove as much moisture from it as possible by using an old towel, and then lay the rug flat indoors (or outdoors if the weather permits). 

Allow the fabric to dry naturally, and never leave wet fabric exposed overnight. This can cause staining due to prolonged contact with dew droplets, which form on surfaces during the night.

💡KEY TAKEAWAY: To clean a shag rug, it's best to hand wash or machine wash it using mild detergents designed for delicate fabrics. After washing, remove excess liquid and lay the fabric on a flat surface to dry.

Maintaining your shag rug after washing

Just like in preparation, vacuuming your shag rug regularly is essential to keeping it looking its best. Vacuums with adjustable suction settings are ideal for this type of rug, as they can be adjusted to the correct level so that dirt and debris can be removed without damaging the fibres. 

In line with this, you should also be asking questions like ‘How to place a rug under a couch?’ and ‘how to position a rug in living room?’ since this could give you an easier time during maintenance.

For optimal results, vacuum in two directions – first going one way, then reversing direction and vacuuming again. This will help remove any deeply embedded dirt or dust particles.

Spot-cleaning shag rugs should also be done on a regular basis. Make sure you use a mild detergent specifically designed for rugs or carpets when spot cleaning. Avoid harsh chemicals, which could damage the fibres of your rug over time. 

Blot up spills immediately with a clean cloth and apply the cleaner directly onto the stain rather than spraying it onto the entire area. This will ensure that only affected areas are treated, and this will avoid potential discolouration from the oversaturation of liquid.

Finally, applying a fabric protector to your shag rug after washing is an effective way to repel stains in the future and keep it looking good for longer periods of time. 

Fabric protectors work by creating an invisible barrier between fabrics and liquids, preventing them from penetrating into the fibres, which helps reduce staining caused by spills or accidents around your home. It is important to follow manufacturer instructions carefully when using fabric protectors, as a wrong application may cause damage rather than protection.

💡KEY TAKEAWAY: Vacuum your shag rug along with the other areas of your house. If you accidentally spill something on it, you should also be sure to blot the affected area immediately. Fabric protectors can also be a great precaution as they serve as an invisible layer of protection. 

Who says shaggy can’t be clean?

A lot of people love shag rugs because they have a fluffy, fuzzy, and messy look to them. However, not only can all those small fabric clumps provide a pop of style to your floor, but they could also be clean and even comfortable to lay on. 

Shag rugs can be a great addition to any space, so be sure to choose a high-quality option in the design you want.

Not a lot of items and furniture can bring a room together, but we at Miss Amara believe that rugs can do just that by adding warmth, texture, and personality. Here, we’re extremely devoted to assisting you when it comes to selecting a rug that matches your specific preference