DIY Cheap and Effective Rug Cleaning

How to Clean Area Rugs at Home (Cheap and Effective Method That Works)

If your area rugs are starting to look dull, smell a little off, or just feel like they need a deep clean, you don’t need to replace them or pay for professional cleaning.

This is the simple method I use to clean my rugs at home. It works on both wool and polypropylene rugs, leaving them looking fresh and clean again.

It takes a little effort, but it works.

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How to Clean Area Rugs (Quick Overview)

• Vacuum thoroughly
• Rinse with a garden hose
• Scrub with a cleaning solution
• Rinse again
• Drain and dry completely

That’s the process. I’ll walk you through it step-by-step below.

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Before You Start (Important)

A few things will make this go much more smoothly:

• Don’t clean rugs with a cotton or canvas backing (they can shrink)
• Check wool rugs for color fastness
• Plan for 2–3 days of dry weather
• Clean outdoors with enough space to lay rugs flat
• Get help for larger rugs—they get heavy when wet

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What You’ll Need

Cheap and Effective Rug Cleaning

• A bucket
• A stiff-bristled brush
• A hose with a spray nozzle
• OxiClean (for polypropylene rugs)
• Woolite (for wool rugs)

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Step-by-Step: How I Clean My Rugs

Rinse with the Garden Hose

The steps for cleaning your rugs are the same for polypropylene and wool rugs. The only difference is using Woolite versus Oxy Clean as the cleaning solution.

1. Vacuum and Pre-Treat

Vacuum both sides of the rug thoroughly. Check the front and the back of the rug for spots and stains. This is especially important if you have a pet. Try this really good spot treatment.

2. Rinse the Rug Completely

Use your hose to soak the rug thoroughly. I use this Fireman's spray nozzle on my hose, and it is the best! This is an important tool, so you may want to invest in this nozzle. You'll want to rinse and rinse again.

Don’t rush this part; you want the rug fully saturated.

3. Scrub with Cleaning Solution

• Use OxyClean for polypropylene rugs
• Use Woolite for wool rugs

Follow the directions on the Oxy Clean box to make your cleaning solution. Use Woolite for your wool rugs. Scrub with a brush, then work the solution in further using your feet.

Yes, your feet work surprisingly well here. I like to start with the brush and finish with my feet. Make sure you have distributed the soapy water thoroughly and worked the soap into the rug's fibers.

4. Rinse Again (Really Well)

Roll and Drain the Rugs

Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue.

This step matters more than you think.

5. Roll and Drain

Roll the rug tightly and stand it on its end to drain.

This removes a surprising amount of water, but it’s heavy, so get help if needed.

6. Rinse One More Time

Unroll and give it another rinse to make sure everything is clean.

Drying the Cleaned Rugs

7. Drain Again

Roll and drain again for a couple of hours.

8. Dry the Rug

Lay it flat or drape it over a railing. Let it dry for 24–48 hours, flipping occasionally if needed. You'll want to lay the rug flat for most of the drying time so it doesn't get any annoying lumps. I like to lay mine over my deck railing for a day and then lay flat to finish drying.

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What to Expect

This is not a quick process, but the results are worth it.

• look brighter
• feel cleaner
• smell fresh again

The Cleaned Rugs in My Entry

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A Real-Life Note

I’ve used this method on:

• entry rugs that take a beating
• large wool rugs in living areas
• everyday rugs throughout my home

It’s work, but it’s a lot less expensive than replacing rugs or hiring it out.

The Keys to Rug Cleaning Success

Don't attempt to clean rugs with a canvas or cotton backing.  Check the backing on your rug. In my experience, the cotton backing shrinks, and the rug will never lie flat again. I won't buy a rug with a backing for this reason.

Clean your rugs outdoors.  You need enough space to lay your rug flat. When cleaning outdoors, first make sure you have a space that is large enough to accommodate your wet rugs for two to three days. It will take that much time for the rugs to dry.

Check the weather forecast.  This method is weather-dependent. You will need three days of dry, sunny weather for large rugs. You'll also want to be sure no rain is expected until the rugs are dry.

Recruit help.  If you are cleaning a large rug, it will be difficult to move it once it is wet. So, you'll want to recruit some help for moving the wet rugs.

Don't rush the process.  It will take a couple of hours to get the rugs cleaned and a couple of days for them to dry. The hardest part is moving the wet rugs around. They do get heavy. You'll definitely want help with a rug that is 8x10 feet or larger.

Rug Cleaning Supply Kit

• A bucket
• A sturdy, stiff-bristled brush
• A hose with a spray nozzle
• Oxy Clean Powder
• Woolite

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Can You Clean Smaller Rugs Indoors?

Yes.

• Small rugs can be cleaned in a bathtub or sink
• Some rugs can even go in the washing machine

Just adjust the method based on size.

A Simple Way to Refresh Your Home

Clean rugs make a bigger difference than most people expect.

If your home is feeling a little tired, this is one of those simple projects that can make everything feel fresher again.

Happy Cleaning!