Area rugs bring warmth and personality to hardwood floors. But they face a lot of foot traffic, spills and the occasional pet accident. Learning how to clean an area rug on hardwood floors avoids wear, ensures they last longer and keeps your floors looking like new.
This straightforward guide covers all you need to gently lift dirt, tackle stains and leave grimy rugs fresh, fluffy and clean after a top-to-bottom cleaning.
Choosing the Best Cleaning Method for Area Rugs on Hardwood
Cleaning area rugs while protecting the hardwood below takes a gentle approach. Consider these aspects to choose your method:
Professional Deep Cleaning Service
Pros:
- Truck-mounted equipment offers best results.
- Done by experts to maximize cleanliness.
- Easy and convenient with no hassle.
Cons:
- More expensive
- Requires moving heavy rugs
Do-It-Yourself With a Carpet Machine Rental
Pros:
- Powerful extraction without huge expense.
- Portable for cleaning over hardwood.
- Cleans rug backing well.
Cons:
- Truck-mounted services extract more water.
- Process can be tiring.
No matter the method, always vacuum thoroughly first. Embedded dirt damages fibers over time.
Preparing the Area and Gathering Your Cleaning Tools
- Clear space by moving nearby furniture off area rug.
- Remove small decorative rugs to clean separately if needed.
- Rent a carpet cleaning machine or have your own ready with clean out tank.
- Gather cleaning solutions – carpet shampoo, stain removers, brushes.
- Have towels on hand for spills or splatters.
- Use gloves and wear old clothing to avoid stains from splashing cleaners.
- Have fans ready if drying indoors due to weather.
“Vacuuming before deep cleaning prevents cleaning solutions from bonding to dry dirt, which makes it harder to rinse away.” – Matt, Technician
Step-By-Step Process for Cleaning an Area Rug on Hardwood Floors
Follow these key steps for effectively deep cleaning area rugs placed over hardwood floors:
- Vacuum the Entire Rug Thoroughly : Use a strong suction vacuum to lift deep dirt from the surface before wet cleaning. Pay extra attention to high traffic lanes and edge vacuuming.
- Pre-Treat Any Stained Areas : Lightly spray stubborn stains with a pre-treatment cleaner following label instructions. This lifts stains from the fibers before extraction.
- Work Slowly in Manageable Sections : Dividing your rug into sections makes the cleaning process most manageable over hardwood. Complete one section fully before moving to the next.
- Rinse and Extract Thoroughly : Using your machine or by hand, wash each section with cleaner, then rinse and extract the dirty solution completely. Repeat until water runs clear. Allow to fully dry before replacing furniture.
Pay special attention when working near rug fringes and backing to prevent excess moisture from reaching hardwood.
Working deliberately in sections gives time for drying rather than over-wetting the full area. Pay special attention when working near rug fringes and backing to prevent excess moisture from seeping into hardwood.
Case Study: Cleaning High Traffic Family Room Rug
Matt needed to deep clean an 8 x 10 navy blue wool area rug in his family room, placed over hardwood floors. Kids and pets meant it saw a ton of use and increasing dirt over time.
He rented an extraction machine since professional services cost over $150. By methodically working in quadrants, he spent a few hours to revive the rug to near new looking condition. Rotating ceiling fans sped up drying time to about 8 hours with no lingering moisture reaching hardwood.
“My rug cleaning method using an extraction machine produced amazing results saving over $100 dollars after fees and tips to pros. Just go slow and be thorough.”
Lifting Stains from Area Rug Fibers on Hardwood
Scan for any embedded stains in your area rug during vacuuming. Use a pre-treatment solution before extraction cleaning for best results lifting stains.
For food and drink stains – Gently blot wet spills immediately with damp towel. Don’t aggressively rub. Scrape off any solid bits carefully if dried on surface.
For mud and dirt – Allow mud to fully dry then vacuum up dried dirt rather than wiping while wet which spreads staining. Mud contains natural dyes that stain.
For urine and vomit – Fresh stains should be blotted immediately with an absorbent cloth or paper towels by gently pressing around the edges of the stain and working your way toward the center. Use an appropriate cleaner formulated for biological stains and malodors and allow to dwell 3-5 minutes before extraction. For heavy stains, repeat application may be necessary.
Fringe tips – Avoid excessive wetness on rug fringe when cleaning. Use an absorbent towel placed under the edge while working to prevent water dripping to hardwood below. Pay special attention to ensure fringes dry fully as they hold moisture.
Ensure Complete Drying of Cleaned Area Rugs Over Hardwood
With all the investment put into cleaning, properly drying area rugs ensures floors stay protected and mold doesn’t develop from lingering moisture.
- Allow at least 48 hours for full drying, avoiding furniture replacement too soon.
- Consider moving smaller lightweight rugs outside to speed drying rather than leaving over hardwood.
- Position fans nearby to improve airflow over surface and edges.
- Lift up corners periodically to check backing stays fully dry as well before putting furniture on it.
- See if your pro cleaner offers expedited drying services.
“Cheating drying times after home cleaning causes secondary damage I then get calls to fix.” – Mark, Flooring Refinisher
The Drying Dangers: Furniture Replacement Too Soon
Placing heavy furniture back over damp carpeting transfers moisture to the floor underneath leading to possible swelling, discoloration and mold growth issues over time. Be absolutely sure washed rugs are 100% dry before replacing and reusing areas with care. Lingering moisture leads to lingering problems.
Maintaining Area Rugs Over Hardwood After Deep Cleaning
Some simple care steps keep area rugs cleaner longer after deep cleaning and safeguard your hardwood floors:
- Use quality rug pads under heavier furniture and high-traffic areas. Pads prevent premature wear from abrasion.
- Periodically lift corners and edges to vacuum underneath catches hidden dirt.
- Shake out smaller rugs outdoors routinely to keep cleaner.
- Blot new spills immediately to prevent stains setting. Spot clean as needed between deep cleanings.
- Consider professional services every year or two for investment quality rugs if unable to deep clean properly yourself.
Taking a little time for rug maintenance saves you money, protects your floors and lets you enjoy them looking beautiful for years to come after that satisfying deep clean revives colors!
Follow these proven cleaning steps and techniques for keeping area rugs fresh over hardwood floors while avoiding damage or discoloration. Gentle solutions and thorough drying gives floors years more life.
