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Washing your rug - how it works

If you want to enjoy using your rug for a long time, you should take care of it properly, because good care considerably increases the life of the popular home textile. This does not just mean regular vacuuming. In a lot of rooms, heavier soiling is frequent. But how do you get your rug clean again? We'll tell you how to wash rugs and what you should be aware of.

To save effort, when buying a rug, you should pay particular attention to the material. For example, synthetic fibre rugs made of polypropylene, polyacrylic and polyester are easy-care and dirt-repellent.

Rug washing

Washing rugs in the washing machine

Have you checked that your rug is suitable for machine washing with the help of the washing label? If you want to put your rug in the washing machine, proceed as follows:

1. Check that your rug fits in the drum of your washing machine. Proceed with care and avoid excessive stuffing and tearing, which may damage the rug.

2. Find a suitable place to dry the rug because, depending on the size and material, it can be very heavy and cumbersome when wet.

3. Vacuum your rug to remove any coarse dirt.

4. Before washing, check the rug for stubborn stains and treat them beforehand. In our article on cleaning rugs and removing stains, we will explain which method is best.

5.If your rug has long threads or fringes that may get caught in the machine during washing, the use of a laundry bag is recommended.

6. Select the recommended temperature and the specified detergent in combination with a wash cycle that meets the manufacturer's instructions.

7. Wash your rug individually and do not add wash with other textiles, as this is the only way to guarantee that no foreign fibres stick to the rug fibres and that their structure remains the same.

If the rug is quite small and light, it is advisable to simply put it in the washing machine. But beware! Not all rugs can tolerate a wash. Therefore, before you wash your rug, you should read the cleaning instructions on the back of the rug and adhere strictly to the manufacturer's instructions.

If your rug can be washed in the washing machine, then you should definitely check the temperature and the cleaning agent you are allowed to wash the rug with. Also, the label should state whether the rug can be spun. If you lack one or more of these details, it is best to consult a professional rug cleaner. This helps you avoid bad surprises. By the way - high-quality oriental rugs or other valuable pieces should always be professionally cleaned, so that they are not damaged.

Never put the rug in the dryer after washing! Instead, find a place in the loft or outdoors where the rug can be hung up and allowed to dry slowly. It is important that the moisture can escape evenly, because this is the only way the rug fibres can retain their original, uniform shape. Beware of direct sunlight during drying - this can fade colours.

When you wash your rug, it absorbs a lot of moisture and takes a long time to dry. To speed up this process, you can briefly brush the rug with a soft brush before hanging it up. Then hang the rug on a clothes horse. Please note that the rug will still drip heavily and make sure that the dripping water can drain away.

Our washable children's rugs are especially popular. The life of your little ones is full of playing and romping - and drinks or food land on the rug in no time. This is not a problem for the washable rugs of our Bambini collection. These can easily be washed in the washing machine at 30 degrees. Another big plus is the structure of the Bambini rugs. They are soft, cuddly and comparable to a thicker bedspread.

Washing the rug in the bathtub

If, according to the manufacturer's instructions, your rug is only washable by hand, your bathtub is an indispensable tool. This is especially the case for larger rugs with different fibres.

If the label says so, you can wash your rug in the bathtub. We'll show you how:

1. First, check that the detergent you have selected is suitable for your rug. Apply it to a clean, light rag and rub it in an inconspicuous area onto the surface of the rug. If your rug bleaches, stop. In this instance, have the rug professionally cleaned.

2. If the detergent has passed the test, place the rug in the bath and cover it carefully with lukewarm water. The wetness should spread evenly.

3. Spread the detergent or cleaner with a brush. Do not apply too much pressure.

4. Let the rug rest in the water for a few hours.

5. Thoroughly brush out the resulting foam in the direction of the rug pile.

6. Repeat this process until the dirt is completely removed. Make sure that the cleaning agents are rinsed out without leaving any residue, as future dirt may otherwise become stubborn.

7. Dry the rug as described above.

If the rug is clean and dry, you should impregnate it afterwards to protect it from becoming dirty again. Commercially available textile impregnation sprays are suitable for this purpose. Be sure to test the spray on an inconspicuous area of ​​the rug before using it over a large area. Also, be sure to use a fluorine-free spray. This ensures that no toxic vapours escape into the room air.

Tip: If you think that your rug appears grey without heavy soiling, it often helps to thoroughly brush out the rug. This removes even the deepest dust and may save your rug a lot of extra scrubbing.

Rug cleaning in a rug laundry

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