How to Clean an Acrylic Pile Rug

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Things You'll Need

  • Vacuum

  • Bucket

  • ¼ cup gentle dish soap

  • Whisk

  • Soft-bristled scrub brush

  • Water hose

Rugs provide an attractive and useful addition to any room.

Acrylic pile rugs are typically more durable than Oriental rugs, and will last for many years with the proper cleaning and care. Over time, these rugs will become dirty and dingy and require a thorough cleaning. Unfortunately, some common household cleaners and cleaning tools-- such as chlorine bleach and washing machines -- can damage and discolor acrylic pile rugs. Fortunately, a few inexpensive household items cane thoroughly cleanse acrylic rugs without harming them.

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Step 1

Remove the surface debris off the rug with a vacuum cleaner. Flip the rug over and clean the other side with the vacuum cleaner.

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Step 2

Fill a bucket with 1 gallon of lukewarm water. Add ¼ cup of gentle dish soap to the water, and mix thoroughly with a whisk for several seconds. Foam should begin to form.

Step 3

Submerge a soft-bristled scrub brush in the foamy mixture, and start scrubbing at the end of the rug farthest away from you.

Step 4

Scrub the acrylic pile rug with the scrub brush while moving toward you. Submerge the brush in the foam mixture when needed, and continue scrubbing the rug.

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Step 5

Rinse the foamy mixture off the rug with cool water. Place the rug in the bathtub, if it will fit, and rinse with cool running water. Alternatively, take the rug outside and rinse the mixture off the fabric with a water hose.

Step 6

Roll the rug gently to squeeze out the excess moisture. Do not twist the rug, as it may damage the carpet fibers. Hang the rug from a safe location and let it drip dry for several hours, out of direct sunlight and away from direct heat.

Tip

Mist the rug with white vinegar to remove unpleasant odors.

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