A shag carpet is so plush and cozy that it can work its way into nearly any home decor. The long, thick carpet fibers offer maximum comfort. But, they can also make it really easy for dirt and grime to get stuck in between them. If you’re looking for ways on how to clean shag carpet and keep it looking brand new for longer, follow these simple tips for cleaning them properly. These long shag rugs are not easy to maintain, we have found a lot of debris buried deep within its pile like pens, pencils, coins, hair clips and other larger objects) because it is so hard to properly vacuum and maintain. Shag rugs might look great but are not very practical.
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1. Vacuum Shag Rugs Weekly
You should vacuum your shag rug at least twice a week. The longer the piles, the more easily dirt and debris can get caught inside. To make sure you are vacuuming properly, set the proper height of the vacuum so the vacuum is just touching the tips of the fibers. And if the pile is too long where the vacuum bogs down or gets stuck in the pile you can turn off the beater bar or use the long carpet attachment on the vacuum cleaner. A shop vac can work but is usually cumbersome to use. If it’s a small rug you can also shake the rug outside, if it’s too large using a carpet rake will really help before vacuuming because it will help dislodge debris stuck all the way down at the bottom of the fibers.
2. Air It Out
Your shag run needs some good old-fashioned fresh air and vitamin C. The sunshine can help neutralize odors and the fresh air can help rid the carpet of bad odors, as well. At least once a month, let your shag carpet take in some freshness from the outdoors. Hang it over a fence or a clothesline, this is a good time to beat it like the old days where you knock the soil loose. Or be sure to lay your carpet on a dry and clean surface like a patio table.
3. Treat Stains Immediately
If you happen to spill something on your rug that stains, like wine or sauce, you want to spot treat the stain right away. The longer it seeps into the rug, the harder it will be to remove. Try using a shag carpet-safe stain removing spray. Dab the stain to remove as much as possible from the carpet. Then apply the stain remover and gently agitate, then blot out the loosened stain with a clean white towel. For stubborn stains, you may need to repeat this process a few times or try a different cleaning solution. You can also try using some of our “Spot Out” to help with stain removal. Be sure to agitate gently and not vigorously so as not to damage the shag carpet fibers because once you distort the fibers they cannot be fixed. We have a spotting procedure on our website and different spotting solutions for different types of stains.
For more information on spot removal check out our Emergency Spot Removal Guide.
4. Steam It
Steaming a shag rug can help loosen debris that gets caught in the rug. It can also help remove subtle stains that have accumulated over time and help restore the color of your shag rug. Monthly steaming with a shag carpet-safe steamer is a good way to clean the shag rug and keep it looking newer, longer. Always test in an inconspicuous area because there are many different fibers and all of them cannot be safely steamed. Dirt that has been stuck on for several months may be tough to remove, even with a steamer.
5. Hire a Professional Cleaning Service
Regular maintenance of your shag rug is key, but so is occasional professional cleaning. Professional shag carpet cleaning service providers have the best quality tools to properly clean and restore shag carpets. Cleaning your shag carpet once per year will help you keep your shag carpet looking brand new. With their expertise and carpet cleaning knowledge, you can be sure your shag carpet will get top-notch cleaning from the professionals at Chet’s Cleaning. Contact us today for a free consultation!