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Synthetic rugs, like any carpet, last longer when you take care of them correctly. If you clean your synthetic area rug regularly and tend to spills quickly, you'll keep your carpet looking good for a long time. Synthetic rugs are a wise choice for high-traffic areas, since they're made of artificial fibers that resist staining. According to the World Floor Covering Association, most synthetic carpet is made of nylon, polyester or polypropylene. Even if dirty shoes and paws cross your synthetic carpet, it's not a lost cause -- just keep up with the cleaning and you'll be fine.
Thoroughly rinse the rug with a garden hose, making sure the water is clear of soap suds before you finish. Remove Excess Water. Squeeze as much water out of the rug as you can with your squeegee, being careful to work only in the direction of the rug’s nap. Lay the rug flat to dry.
1
Vacuum at least every other day. Martha Stewart recommends running the vacuum over high-traffic areas eight to 12 times. Work back and forth across the rug, then go up and down, making four to six passes over the rug in each direction.
2
Clean spills as soon as they occur. Blot up any liquids with a paper towel or white rag. Don't rub; this can grind the stain in. Keep blotting until you can't absorb any more liquid.
3
Mix 1 part vinegar and 1 part water in a spray bottle. Spray the stain with the solution, wait 15 minutes and blot the stain again. If any soiling remains, repeat the vinegar and blotting method until all the stain is gone. As an alternative to vinegar, use plain club soda full strength.
4
Use a specially formulated grease remover for oil or grease stains. Look for these solutions in rug stores or hardware stores and use them according to the directions on the bottle.
5
Have your rugs professionally cleaned once every six months. Empire Carpet recommends having a service clean them rather than using rental cleaners, which work best on wall-to-wall carpet and are less powerful than the machines the professionals use.
Things You Will Need
- Vacuum
- Paper towels or white rags
- Spray bottle
- Vinegar or club soda
- Oil and grease spot remover
Warning
- Do not use laundry detergent or other alkaline solutions to clean synthetic rugs.
References (4)
About the Author
S.R. Becker is a certified yoga teacher based in Queens, N.Y. She has a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing and has worked as a writer and editor for more than 15 years. Becker often writes for 'Yoga in Astoria,' a newsletter about studios throughout New York City.
Photo Credits
- Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images