Cleaning a Shag Rug
A shag rug is what is also called a "deep pile" carpet and this means that it's thick and tough. That also translates to harder to keep clean, and more difficult to clean. Here are some steps that will give the standard ways to clean up a spill on a shag rug or a shag area rug and will provide some tips on cleaning some of the more common spills.
Tools and Materials needed:
- Shop Vacuum; wet and dry
- Carpet steamer
- Laundry soap
- Water
- Baking soda
- Laundry pre-treatment spray
- Scrub brush
- Paper towels
- White vinegar
- Hair dryer
- Odor remover
The Initial Cleanup
No one wants to clean spills, but it is a job that has to be done now and then, and it usually must be done quickly. Use a pair of tongs, a fork, or spoon to remove anything that is chunky or dried, such as meatballs. Use paper towels to blot up any liquid that spilled out on to the rug or if there's moisture from a plop of ice cream. If it is a major spill then certainly use a Shop Vacuum right away to do the job for you. Then flip the carpet over and clean up any liquid that may have found its way to the floor.
Cleaning the Spill
With the initial cleanup out of the way, you can then get down to the actual cleaning of the shag area rug. Sprinkle baking soda over the area where the spill occurred and an inch or two around it and let it sit overnight. This will "suck" some of the moisture right out of the fabric. Then get a bucket of warm water and add two tablespoons of laundry soap to it and swish it around until it becomes soap-sudsy. Then add several drops of vinegar which will help in breaking down enzymes and will act as an odor remover.
Next you dip the scrubbing brush in the sudsy warm water and begin scrubbing the area rug in a circular motion. Do not be afraid to use some energy. Then soak up the sudsy water with either the Shop Vacuum or with paper towels and be sure to check under the rug to clean up any water that may have gone all the way through. Finally, use the hair dryer to completely dry the area then check to see if any of the spill remains and if it does, then you can use a carpet steamer.
Specific Stain Treatment
Children will always spill a huge variety of things on the floor, and even we will sometimes bump something and watch a glass of cold liquid dump onto the floor. What follows are specific cleaning methods for common spills.
- Blood: Use cold water mixed with a little laundry detergent and scrub until gone.
- Milk and Motor Oil: First attempt to use a dry solvent. If that fails, then mix one teaspoon of clear dishwasher detergent with one cup of warm water.
- Coffee, Tea, and Wine: Soak the area in cold water, and then blot it dry. Follow with the same steps described for removal of milk and motor oil.
You can prevent spills from being too much of a hassle by applying a stain blocker such as Scotch Guard. These chemicals are safe on carpets and fabrics and create a barrier between the fibers and the stains. When you are ready to remodel your bathrooms or the kitchen, be sure to visit the most awesome site in Cyberspace… www.MasterFaucet.com where they have every type of faucet, knob, and fixture that you could want!
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