5 Tricks to Clean Polypropylene Rugs

Sloppy teenagers, clumsy coffee drinkers, and potty-training puppies can take their toll on your brand new polypropylene area rug.  Many people think that once their rug becomes too dirty or stained that it’s time to throw it out and start over from scratch, but that’s rarely the case. Polypropylene fibers that are found in your favorite area rugs are naturally stain-resistant and easy to clean … if you know how. When spills, stains, and everyday dirt makes its way onto your area rug, try these easy tricks and you’ll be able to keep your runners and area rugs looking like new!

1. Vacuum Frequently

The first step towards maintaining a great looking rug is regular maintenance; that’s right, vacuuming!  For some, it’s a dreaded chore, for others its a daily ritual … either way, it’s an essential step to keeping patterned rugs looking vibrant. Prevention is also key, and keeping your rug from getting dirty in the first place is also an important step. Store your shoes at the front door and wipe your pet's paws after they come in from outside to avoid adding extra ick to your carpet fibers.

2. Spot Clean

Got a few spots collecting dirt on your rug? Don’t wait until it’s too late! Whenever you get a questionable substance spilled on your area rug, be sure to blot it immediately with a wet cloth to dilute the stain. Then use a wet washcloth or sponge with a little bit of liquid soap (like dish soap), and scrub until the stain releases.  Be sure to do final sponging with only clean water to be certain all of the soap is rinsed out of your rug, or it may attract dirt to the area again.

3. Stubborn Stains

Did you knock over an entire glass of red wine again? This embarrassing stain seems like it will be on your carpet forever, but that’s not the case if you know how to clean it out. Try a solution of 90% water and 10% bleach, blotting in small circular motions until the stain releases. You may have to try this method multiple times until you achieve your desired result.

4. All Over Clean

Want to give your rug a thorough washing? The beautiful thing about polypropylene rugs is that when it’s time to give them an all-over clean, all you need is a hose, a brush, and some dish soap. Simply take your rug out to your back patio or another paved area and hose it down with water. Add a small amount of liquid soap (being sure to concentrate the soap on especially dirty or stained areas) and use a scrub brush to work the soap in. A push broom works extremely well with this method, but you could also use a hand-held scrub brush to get stubborn stains out. After you’ve lathered up your rug, rinse it thoroughly and leave it to dry in the sun. Make sure you’ve gotten all of the soap out of your rug, or it will feel stiff and attract even more dirt when you lay it back down again. If you can, prop your wet rug up on a bench, drape it over a fence or have it otherwise lifted off the ground so the back of your rug can dry as well. 

5. Go With a Pro

If you live in an apartment and have no yard access or way to wash your rug yourself, you can always take your rug to a professional cleaner. Many dry cleaners will take your rug and wash it for you, giving you one less chore and a fresh rug once again. Call your local cleaners and ask for an estimate to give your rug a fresh new feel again.

Don’t throw in the towel on your stained or dirty area rug without trying some of these essential tricks first. With a little bit of soap, water, and good old fashioned elbow grease, your favorite, inexpensive area rug can look good as new again. Give these tips a try and enjoy that fresh new feel underfoot once again!