Shag carpets which were so hip decades ago are once again stylish enough to be found in high-end designer homes, proving the adage that what once was old is new again. While having shag carpet in your home may look great, it does present a challenge when it comes to cleaning. These tips on how to care for a shag carpet will help keep it looking great.
Keep it Dirt-Free
Like any other rug, you should never allow dirt to accumulate on the fibers. But unlike carpets with low pile, the extra-long pile of shag rugs or carpet makes it much easier for the dust to hide. This is particularly a problem if you have shedding pets. Pet hair and dander can collect in your shag carpets and cause health concerns for those with asthma or respiratory problems.
An excellent way to get rid of loose particulars in a small area rug with a high pile is to take it outside and vigorously shake it. Then you can hang it over a railing and use a carpet beater or a broom handle to give it a good beating to loosen up even more dirt.
For larger area rugs or wall-to-wall carpeting, you will need to use a vacuum. Remember that when you vacuum any high-pile carpet, if you don’t adjust the vacuum’s height setting, you run the risk of fibers getting caught. If possible, try to turn your rug over and vacuum the underside first. This will help to loosen embedded dirt as well as get rid of any dust and dirt which tends to collect under a rug. Then turn the carpet right side up and vacuum thoroughly.
Remove Stains
Spills happen. That is part of life, so you better know how to treat the spots on your shag rug. To effectively spot treat a rug you should try to catch spills as soon as possible. That can be harder than you think with a darker shag carpet. Once you locate a spill, spray it with a spot remover which you know is safe for your carpet. Let the spot remover sit for a few minutes and then blot by pressing directly down with clean paper towels. Repeat as needed working your way from the outside edge of the spot to the center.
Call in the Professionals
Sometimes the job is just too big to handle on your own. When you are facing a set-in stain or need to deep clean your shag carpeting, you can’t go wrong by hiring carpet experts like those at Chet’s Cleaning Inc. At Chet’s Cleaning, we have been serving residential and commercial customers in the Detroit area for over 30 years. Contact us today for a free consultation or learn more about our services.