With a regular maintenance, it is possible to get your rugs smelling fresh every day and stay looking fabulous in a long time.

I love the look of fluffy white rugs, just the fact that they have the ability to make a room so cosy and inviting! I have one in my living room and it is basically the centre of our daily activities. My dog, Momo, also loves to lie on it and sometimes he also takes a long nap on the rug.

Living with a dog around, cleaning a long, high pile, white-coloured rug can be a little challenging. Rugs don’t only collect dirt but also trap odour and other nasty stuff. Learn how to look after rugs to keep them in great shape as long as possible.

Here are a few quick tips on how I maintain my white rugs clean and smelling fresh every day:

Vacuum Often

Ever since Momo came to my house, I let my robot vacuum to run over the rug at least once a day. Vacuuming every day may sound excessive but you’ll be surprised to learn how much dust is accumulated in just 24 hours in dust-ridden season all year round like Singapore, especially if you leave your windows open most of the day.

If vacuuming every day is not doable for you, try to vacuum at least 3 times a week, the more the better. We are lucky that Momo doesn’t really shed fur, but if you have a pet that constantly dropping hair everywhere, you should really consider to vacuum your rug every day. Vacuuming is very important because it helps in removing pet hair off the rugs as well as pet dander and other loose dirt. In the long run, regular vacuum also makes the cleaning process easier.

Shaggy rugs also trap more particles than the short haired ones. The dirt and sweat from your feet and pet paws stepping on it every day can add unpleasant smell over time if you don’t vacuum it often enough.

If you use conventional vacuum cleaner, use a hoover attachment instead of the rotary brushes to avoid damaging the fibres.

Shake Off and Deodorise Weekly

Every weekend, I flip my rug and shake it off to let the gravity bring down as much loose dirt and dust as possible. This is also the easiest way to remove unwanted little objects from the rugs instantly. Ideally, this step should be done outside to avoid spreading dust in the house. However, in my case, that isn’t possible (think about being a considerate and ‘normal’ HDB neighbour). I also use this chance to clean the floor underneath the rug.

After shaking it off, I deodorise the rug by sprinkling carpet deodoriser powder and let it sit for 30 minutes before vacuum it up thoroughly. My current favourite product is ARM & HAMMER Pet Fresh. I especially loooove the fresh smell it leaves in my living room after using it. It helps remove tough dirt deep down the rugs too. You can also use baking soda to deodorise the rug.

Rotate for Even Wear Every 6 Months

Uneven spread of sunlight from the window will cause sun damage. In late morning when the sun is still rising, the sunlight can be pretty harsh for few hours in my living room. When the sun is at its peak, I will close my sheer curtain to block direct sunlight. I also rotate my rug twice a year to reduce uneven fading.

Over time, the constant weigh from the furnitures creates ugly dents in the rug as well. To make the rug hair stand again, I brush the dented spot with soft bristle brush very very gently to avoid adding more depressions in the fibres. Rotating the rug regularly will also reduce uneven wear and to prevent from damaging it even more.

Clean Up Accident Immediately

As much as I want my rug to stay as nice as I first unrolled it, let’s face it, accident happens sometimes. When I have an accident in the rug, I will clean it up right away. This will ensure the stains won’t remain too long in the fibres and make it harder to remove.

For wet accident, absorb and blot as much of the stain as possible by using a clean, dry paper towel immediately after spillage occurs. Do not wipe or scrub as it will only spread the stain and make it even more difficult to clean. After absorbing as much as you can, use a tiny drop of liquid dishwashing soap to blot the stain with damp towel. Use another clean damp cloth to remove the soap and clean up everything and let it dry.

Do not to perform do-it-yourself cleaning with harsh cleaning solution if you are unsure. The chemical may cause discolouration and damage the rug. If it is an old stain or if the stain is too tough to remove, get a professional help.

Common Sense Caution: Remember to check your rug care tags first before you do any of the instructions mentioned above to see if it complies.