Last Updated on 12 months by William
If your area rug is looking a little worse for wear, you may be considering giving it a good cleaning. You could take it to a professional, but why not save yourself some money and clean it yourself? It’s not as difficult as you think; all you need is a pressure washer. Here we provide a guide on “how to clean an area rug with pressure wash?”
If you have an area rug needing deep cleaning, you can use a pressure washer to clean it. You will need to pre-treat the rug with a cleaning solution and then use the pressure washer on a low setting to avoid damage. Be sure to keep the nozzle moving so that you don’t over wet the rug. Once you have finished cleaning, rinse the carpet with clean water and allow it to dry completely.
How to Clean an Area Rug with Pressure Washer? (Discussed)
Area rugs tend to absorb stains and dirt. If you want to clean an area rug, you should pre-treat the area rug using a cleaning solution. A pressure washing system uses a high-pressure jet of water to remove dirt and stains.
It is the best way to eliminate stains, odors, and mildew. Once you have cleaned your area rug, you should rinse the carpet with clean water.
Make sure that you allow the carpet to dry fully. The pre-treatment method is a good way to clean an area rug. You just need to remember a few things before you start using it.
Here are several rugs that you might not want to use a power washing to clean:
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Wool Rugs
Wool rugs are great because they don’t absorb any chemicals. It makes them safe for pets.
They are also machine washable. Wool rugs are delicate as well. Please consult the owner’s manual or the tag for cleaning recommendations. Both at-home and professional steam cleaning are often secure options.
Natural Fiber Rugs
A lot of hot water might damage these fibers. You shouldn’t pressure wash this since it will ruin the threads.
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Oriental Rugs
The fragile fibers in oriental rugs could be damaged by power washing your rug. If you need for cleaning an area rug, see a professional, even if you might be able to vacuum them to remove surface dirt and debris.
A polyester rug is an ideal choice for pressure washing. Polyester should withstand a pressure washer well because it is essentially made of plastic.
Avoid taking a chance if you are unsure of the rug’s ability to withstand a pressure cleaner. Instead, make a professional call. But our main concern is “how to clean an area rug with a pressure washer?” Here is the solution to this task.
You’ll need the following:
These are the supplies you’ll need to clean your rug.
- Cleaning Solution
- Cotton Cloth
- Pressure Washer And Dryer with a garden hose
- Bristle Brush or Scrubber
- Water
6 Steps on How to Clean an Area Rug with Pressure Washer
Before rinsing your carpet, ensure all the dirt has been removed. You can easily get an estimate of how dirty your carpet is by using a towel to wipe off some spots. The amount of dirt that is left on your carpet is a direct indicator of how dirty it is.
If the towel doesn’t come away clean after wiping, you probably have too much dirt on your carpet. There are a number of ways to remove dirt from your carpet, and the most effective method is to use a pressure washer. You can use a hand-held pressure washer if you have one available. And use an electric pressure washer as well.
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Locate a Location
Recognize that when using a power washer, there will be a lot of water splashing around. Therefore, you must complete this activity outside where there is ample space.
You’ll be given two choices. The rug should first be laid out flat. To prevent loose dirt from becoming caught on the underside of the carpet, remove any loose debris from the region.
Clean the area with a pressure washer to get rid of any impurities if it is unclean. If the rug has adequate weight, another choice is to suspend it from a sturdy metal rail. If you are unable to locate an open, level surface, this is a more hygienic choice.
Both two alternatives are viable. The approach you choose will depend on the area you have in your home and whether you have a strong rail. Larger area carpets will respond well to the second technique.
Rug Pre Soaking
The carpeting will then be pre-soaked in soapy water. Although you might use a pre-soaking solution, Dawn liquid dish soap should work just fine.
A spray bottle can also be used as an option. However, doing so wouldn’t be feasible for large-area rugs. If your washer has a detergent tank, see if you can fill it with soapy water to pre-soak the rug.
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A more practical choice is to pour soapy water solution from a full bucket onto the rug. Before moving on to the following stage, let the solution sit on the rug for a while.
Agitate The Rug Using a Brush
Consider using a sizable brush with firm bristles to stir the rug. If the carpet is heavily soiled and covered in pet hair, I advise doing this.
Choose a brush with rubber bristles that have adequate give rather than one with steel ones, which can harm carpet fibers. Brush the carpet in all directions, including side to side.
Be sure to cover every square inch. If a stiff brush with an extended handle is not available, a handheld brush will work, but it will take much longer. It will save you a lot of time and discomfort.
Get the Pressure Washer Ready
The pressure washer in preparation for the last rinse. Make sure it is primed, meaning that water flows to the hose from the pressure washer’s internal components.
Final Rinse
It’s time to rinse everything off once more. Use the lightest nozzle on your pressure washer after checking the others. Accordingly, adjust the water pressure. To make sure the carpet is not harmed, try pressure washing a tiny patch of it first.
Pass the cleaning nozzle slowly across your rug to ensure that all dirt and soapy water residue are removed. Avoid placing the nozzle too close to the fibers to prevent damage.
Let the Rug Dry
Drying the rug is the last step. Given that the carpet is thoroughly saturated with water, this is a crucial stage. To dry it outside, hang it from a rail or a set of stable chairs.
If it’s still moist, don’t bring it inside because that will cause mold, mildew, and a terrible smell to grow. To achieve the greatest results, dry it outside in the sun. The UV rays will hasten the drying process and eliminate any remaining odor.
Final Verdict
We hope you enjoyed our article on “how to clean an area rug with pressure washer?” In summary, pressure washers can be a great way to clean area rugs. They are powerful and can remove dirt and stains quickly.
However, you need to be careful when using them, so you don’t damage the rug. Make sure you read the instructions carefully, and always test the pressure washer on a small rug area before using it on the whole thing. Thank you for reading. Happy Cleaning!
