Rubber-backed rugs make an excellent choice for high-traffic areas in your home. They are preferably used in areas like the kitchen and bathroom. The rubber backing helps keep the rug in its place and prevents you from slipping.
If you have rubber-backed rugs in your home, you must know the right way to wash them. The washing method you use is critical in extending their lifespan. After few months of usage, the rubber backing of the rugs starts to deteriorate. With every wash, they tend to deteriorate even faster. This is why you need to use the correct way to wash them. By doing so, you can keep them looking good for years.
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In this guide, we will tell you how to wash bathroom rugs with rubber backing. We have some effective ways that will help you to clean your rugs efficiently without damaging them. So without any delay, let’s get into the details.
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How Often Should You Clean Your Rugs?
As already mentioned above, rugs are mainly used in high-traffic areas of your home. This is why they tend to get dirty more often.
Rugs that are used in bathrooms are a haven for mildew and bacteria due to moisture and warmth. The last thing you will want is to step into a pool of bacteria after taking a shower.
Rugs are also used in kitchen areas. These kitchen rugs catch food crumbs, oil, and grease. This is something you wouldn’t want near your food. To maintain your kitchen hygiene, you must wash your rugs regularly.
How often should you wash your rugs also depend on the number of people you have in your household. For instance, if you have a lot of kids in your house, your rugs are more likely to get dirty. In this case, you will have to wash them regularly.
If you have a large family, you are recommended to wash your rugs once every week. But if you have only one or two persons in your family, then you can wash the rugs once every two or three weeks.
How to Wash Rubber-Backed Rugs?
Before you start cleaning your rugs, there are few important things you need to look into. The first thing is to check the care label on the rug. You will find a small tag attached to the bottom of your rugs. Check if it has any specific instructions about cleaning the rug. It should let you know whether the rug is machine washable or not.
You must follow the cleaning instructions mentioned on the label of your rugs. By doing so, you can extend your rugs’ lifespan and keep them in good condition for years.
You should always shake your rugs off to remove the excess dirt and debris. This will make the cleaning process both easier and quicker.
In the section below, we have discussed different methods of washing rubber-backed rugs. You can follow any of these methods to clean your rugs without damaging them.
1. Cleaning Rugs in the Washing Machine
Using a washing machine is possibly the quickest way to clean your rugs. You can put the rugs in the washing machine by themselves or with bath towels. You are recommended to use bath towels in the load as it will help to get the smell out of the rugs.
The next step is to add two spoons of bleach along with two spoons of laundry detergent and half a cup of borax. This helps in removing black mold and killing mildew in the process.
Some of you use white vinegar or regular bleach. This is not the right thing to do as they may damage the rubber backing.
Set the washing machine on a gentle setting and wash the rugs in cold water. Using hot water may loosen the fibers and cause them to fall out. If needed, you can use warm water.
Once you are done with the washing, air-dry the rugs outside. You can also put them in a dryer for 20 minutes. But make sure that the heat is at the lowest setting. Remove the rugs after 20 minutes to prevent wrinkles.
2. Hand Washing Rugs
If the rubber-backed rugs are not machine washable, then hand washing is the best option for you. It is a gentle way of washing rugs and is as good as washing them in a washing machine.
Before you start, you must shake the rugs outside to get rid of the dust and debris.
Take a vacuum cleaner and get rid of the loose dirt from the rugs.
Fill a large bucket with warm water and add a cup of detergent to it. Now dip a soft cloth in the mixture and start dabbing the rug to loosen the debris.
Flip the rug and repeat the same process on the other side. Use a toothbrush to scrub the stained areas on the rugs.
Once you are done with the cleaning, hang the carpets outside and let them dry.
3. Rinsing Rubber-Backed Rugs
If you want a quick way to wash your rugs, then rinsing it would be a good idea. This is the perfect option for times when you don’t have the time to wash it manually or use a washing machine.
The first thing you need to do is shake the rugs outside. After that, apply a small dab of hydrogen peroxide to the rugs.
Let the peroxide sit for at least 10 minutes. Then take the rugs outside and rinse them with a hose to wash off all of the peroxides.
Once you are done rinsing the rugs, let them air dry outside.
4. Cleaning Rugs with Baking Soda
Another great way of cleaning rugs is using baking soda. It proves to be an excellent cleaning agent for rugs and mats. You can use this ingredient to clean almost anything in your house. With the right amount of baking soda, you can clean your rugs efficiently.
To use this method, you need to prepare a mixture of baking soda, water, and vinegar. Put the solution in a spray bottle and spray it on the rugs. Make sure you cover the stained areas. You can use this mixture to clean your phone cases as well.
Take a clean cloth and use it to scrub the stained areas in circular motions. Make sure you scrub the rugs gently, or else you may end up damaging them.
Once done, you can rinse the rugs in a tub or under the shower. You can use this solution as a rug adhesive remover by adding two tablespoons of citrus juice and vinegar.
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Tips to Safely Wash Your Rugs
Here are some additional tips to safely wash your rugs:
- Before using any cleaner, make sure to perform a spot test on your rug. This is to make sure that the cleaner is safe to use.
- Always vacuum or give a good shake to your rugs before washing them.
- You should use cold water to clean your rugs. For stubborn stains, you can use warm water but never use hot water.
- If you have a large rubber-backed rug, you should take it to a professional to get it washed.
Washing rubber-backed rugs not only helps you to keep them clean but also helps extend their lifespan. By following these methods, you can wash your rugs thoroughly and keep them in good condition.
