The Best Way to Clean a Large Area Rug at Home

Cleaning a large area rug can feel like a challenge, but with the right approach, it’s easier than you think. While smaller rugs tend to be easier and can sometimes go in the washing machine, larger rugs will not fit and require different care to avoid damage. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best methods to keep your rug fresh and looking its best.

Why Keeping Your Rug Clean Is So Important 

Regular cleaning is essential. Unclean rugs can cause problems such as the following:

• Smells: We have all experienced visiting a mad aunt, odd uncle or someone else where you walk into a room and are struck by rug odour. Cooking grease, spillages and dirt can all cake up in the carpet, causing bad smells.
• Air: Dirty rugs can be a haven for mites, dust, hair, dead skin cells and other particles that can contaminate the air. Bad air quality means you will have a higher chance of irritating your airways and not breathing properly.
• Germs: Large rugs can also be a breeding ground for bacteria, especially in places with high humidity - which can trap moisture deep in the fibres. So, a dirty rug can make you sick! A clean rug promotes better health.

6 Simple Steps to Clean Your Large Rug

The first thing to do is find an area that is big enough - and with a large rug, this means it is best to do the cleaning outside. If you do not have an outdoor space then you can still clean your rug indoors with all the methods we suggest - but you will need to be careful with ventilation and excess water. 

Before you start, give it a good hoover. Afterwards, to clean a large rug more thoroughly, try the following simple steps:

Air It Out and Bash It 

A nice starting point is simply to air the large rug out. A good tip is to lie it flat on a table or draped over a washing line, you can also hang it between two chairs - then give it a good whack with a broom. If you have a balcony you can drape it over the railing and give it a shake.

Rinse It 

A garden hose or bucket of water with a wool cleaning solution will trap dust particles in the water and remove them from the rug. Note that you should never follow this step if you are washing a sheepskin rug. You can then let it air dry, and it may take a long time for a large rug to dry.

Spot Cleaning Stains 

To clean a rug stain with baking soda, sprinkle a generous amount over the stain and let it sit for several hours or overnight. This helps absorb moisture and odours. Then, vacuum thoroughly to remove the residue. For extra tough stains, mix with water or white vinegar, blot gently, and let dry. For a detailed step-by-step, read our guide on how to use baking soda to clean a rug. 

Try Steam Cleaning 

Using a steam cleaner is an amazing way to deep clean your rug, which you can try before or after the first two tips. Sensitive wool fibres and cotton rag rugs can be a bit tricky to steam clean, but many have special settings to avoid shrinkage and warping.

Use a Carpet Cleaner 

With the majority of the dirt now looser or entirely removed from the rug, you can use a carpet cleaning product, which is available at most supermarkets. Some cleaners are particularly good for stains, so select these if you have nasty, deep stains. Do a patch test first.

Drying and Hoovering Your Rug 

You will need to let the carpet dry out before you can lay it again. Hoover out all the remaining carpet cleaner and any dried-out laundry solution residue, this will mean that it is ready to place back into your space. It should be easy as clean rugs are much lighter.

Keeping Your Large Rug Clean

You should now have a very clean rug. If the above tips do not work as you expect then the best idea is to get a professional cleaning solution - this is the only choice if you have a delicate rug that requires specialised cleaning.

Of course, prevention is always better than a cure! So, make sure you regularly vacuum clean the rugs and do not walk on them with your shoes on. You can also do regular steam cleanings, once a year, to stop large rugs from becoming dirty.

For more details on how to clean your rug see our guide on how to clean different types of rugs, which has info on how to clean a shag rug, pile rugs, and more.

Featuring our Elegant Heirlooms Ivory Grey Rug. 

Finding Your Dream Area Rug 

Explore our incredible collection of large, extra large, and XXL rugs to find the perfect design and fit for your space. Shop today and enjoy free UK delivery on your order.