How to clean a shag rug

Due to their shaggy fibers, it becomes slightly difficult to clean shag rugs when compared to other kinds of rugs. Stubborn dirt and dust particles hide deep within the rug, so you might have to use multiple methods to make sure it is clean completely. Some ways to clean a rug are:

  1. Shake: The quickest and easiest way to clean the rug by shaking it out by hand. 
  2. Vacuum: Flip over your rug first and vacuum the bottom using the beater bars while being engaged. These bars can help you loosen the dirt and ensure a thorough cleaning. 
  3. Spot clean: In case there are small accidents or spills, the best option is to spot clean your rug. This method involves cleaning the soiled area instead of cleaning the whole rug.
  4. Shampoo: You can use shampoo mixed with hot water and pour it on your rug. Then, vacuum the liquid while lifting stains and soils. 
  5. Professional cleaning: If none of the above methods work, the most effective and safest way is to send it to professionals to clean it up. 

How to vacuum a shag rug

Since shag rugs have an extra-long pile, they need additional attention when vacuuming as compared to rugs with shorter piles. There are some precautions you need to take when vacuuming. These include:

  • The long fibers can easily get caught in the vacuum’s moving part, which can damage the rug. So, make sure to adjust the height setting of the vacuum to high and keep the beater bars switched off. 
  • Alternatively, you can vacuum the rug by hand while using the upholstery attachment. 
  • If the rug is placed in a high traffic area, then it’s better to vacuum more frequently to avoid the buildup of dirt. 
  • Flip over the rug and vacuum the bottom using the beater bars attachment. This will help to loosen dirt and allow thorough cleaning. 

How to wash a shag rug

Ideally, you should wash your rug at least once every year. Now, you have two options available. You can either dry-clean it or go for a detailed washing procedure. For that, you just need to follow these simple steps; just remember to be careful and gentle with the delicate fibers. 

  1. Start off the procedure by vacuuming 
  2. Now, fill up a tub with warm water. If your rug isn’t too big, then you can just use an average-sized tub. However, if the rug is big, then the best option is to wash on a clean floor.
  3. Pick a cleaner or detergent for your carpet. Make sure it is safe to use for your rug and mix it with water. You can judge the quantity you will need by looking at the size of the rug. 
  4. Let the rug sit for at least ten minutes.
  5. Remove the stains either by hand or by using a brush with soft bristles. 
  6. It is now time to take out the soap. To do so, rinse the rug thoroughly and leave it out in the open until it is dry. 

How to clean a white shag rug

White shag rugs are more prone to getting dirty because of their light color, which might make cleaning them a little difficult. Some methods of cleaning a white shag rug include:

  • Shake: Vigorously shake your white rug to release any crumbs, dust, or dirt lodged into it. If it’s impossible to shake the rug by hand due to its large size, you can hang it on a clothesline and beat the dirt out using a broom or a stick.
  • Vacuum: To clean up as much dirt as possible, and get your rug white again, follow these steps:
  1. Roll up the shag rug and lay a large sheet where the rug was previously placed. 
  2. Now, unroll and place the rug on the sheet but with the soft side facing downwards.
  3. Vacuum the backside first; this will dislodge the debris and dirt stuck in the pile. 
  4. Roll the rug again and place it on the side, and vacuum all the dirt that fell down on the sheet. 
  5. Continue with steps 3 and 4 until there is no more dirt on the sheet. 
  • Stain removal: In cases of spills on your white carpet, the best option is to spot clean it. Use a carpet cleaner and a clean microfiber cloth to clean up the mass. If the stain has settled, then you can spray the carpet cleaner directly on it.
  • Deep clean: If the rug is really dirty, rent out a carpet cleaner and use a carpet shampoo mixed with hot water for a deep clean. 

What is a shag rug?

As the name suggests, a shag rug has a shaggy appearance and has longer piles. It is made using synthetic fibers and is generally for a living room. 

Shag rugs are quite popular, especially in the United States. They make for a modern design and are often seen in television shows and interior design magazines. This is because such rugs add elegance and luxury to a room and make it more comfortable.  

Can you shampoo a shag rug?

It is possible to shampoo your shag rug; however, you must be careful with anything that involves water. Make sure you read the care instructions that come along with the rug before shampooing it. Also, make sure to keep the following tips in mind when doing so:

  • If your rug can handle moisture, then the best option is to rent a carpet cleaner. A carpet cleaner distributes hot water and shampoo into the rug and vacuums the mixture simultaneously. As a result, it lifts all the stains and soils wherever it vacuums. 
  • Once you are done cleaning, air dry your rug in the open air to avoid mildew.
  • If water will damage your rug, then you can use a dry shampoo. Sprinkle it on the rug and vacuum it. The powder captures the dirt and other particles and gives more effective results than just simply vacuuming.

Can you use a carpet cleaner on a shag rug?

If your rug care instructions indicate that your rug can handle water, then using a carpet cleaner can be a good option. However, it is better to use a handheld vacuum or a steam cleaner instead because both of these give you full control. So, if a pile breaks off, you can just turn off the machine and let the professionals handle the cleaning. 

How to care for shag rug

Caring for a shag rug isn’t difficult. Here are some tips to make sure your rug lasts for longer:

  • Occasionally, sprinkle some carpet-shampoo granules on the rug to get rid of the accumulated dirt. 
  • Shaggy rugs tend to absorb quite a lot of water, and due to their piles, they can remain wet for a relatively long time. So whenever there is a slight water spill, use a fan to blow air across it for at least two hours to dry the rug. This will also prevent the growth of mold and mildew in the rug.  
  • Whenever there are occasional spills, make sure to soak them up immediately. For this, use an absorbent rag or a paper towel. You can also use a light-colored face cloth. 

How to get dog pee out of shag rug

If you have dogs around the house, then an accident is bound to happen at one point or another. If your dog has peed on your shag rug, then here’s what you need to do to clean it up:

  • If the dog pee is still wet, first blot it up. To make sure you soak up as much as possible, use paper towels or any other suitable material you have available. Continue with this step until you can’t soak any more urine. 
  • Now, make a solution of equal parts of vinegar and cold water. 
  • Liberally apply the solution where the dog peed. Make sure to scrub it thoroughly on the stain so that it penetrated into the fibers below too.  
  • Use paper towels again to blot the area and remove as much of the solution as possible. Continue to do so until you can no longer absorb any more solution.  
  • Now, mix a teaspoon of any liquid dishwashing detergent with half a cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide. If hydrogen peroxide is unavailable, use a laundry stain remover. Use this solution to scrub the area and then rinse it with water.
  • Once the stained area dries up, sprinkle a good amount of baking soda over it. Leave it there for a while and then vacuum it up.   

Are shag rugs hard to clean?

There are two kinds of shag rugs, and the difficulty you might have when cleaning them differs:

  1. High pile rugs: These are significantly harder to clean because the dust and dirt go deeper into the crevices between the fibers, so it becomes impossible to reach such areas.
  2. Low pile rugs: Due to their shorter piles, they are relatively easier to clean, but they still require you to be careful.

Other factors that determine the difficulty of cleaning include:

  • Size: Large shag rugs are often very heavy, which makes them harder to clean. 
  • Color: If your shag rug is fluffy and has a light color, such as white or cream, then you’ll have a tough time trying to get rid of the stains. 

Can you wash a shag rug?

There are two ways to wash a shag rag.

  1. You can use a steam cleaner to thoroughly clean the rug and get rid of the lodged dirt and debris.
  2. You can use a washing machine; however, you should only do so if the shag rag doesn’t feature a rubber back. Also, if you put the shag rug into the washing machine, make sure to use cold water and gentle cycle. 

Are shag rugs in style?

Shag rugs first became popular in the sixties when people started using them as a statement piece. With the decor used back then, such as lava lamps and bead curtains, bold-colored shag rugs were quite famous. However, due to their difficulty in cleaning, they quickly went out of style. 

However, they have now made a great comeback and are here to stay for at least a while. Of course, they are now different from what they used to be, but they are very much in style today. They feature a higher pile, which adds to the cozy touch of the rugs. 

Today, you can find shag rugs in a multitude of materials and styles. They can be made from leather, acrylic, polyester, polypropylene, and wool. They are commonly used in living rooms and bedrooms, but they also add a nice touch to mudrooms and bathrooms. 

Can you steam clean a shag rug?

You can use a steam cleaner to easily get rid of the dirt, dust, and odor settled deep within your shag rug. The process involves the following steps;

  1. Vacuum the rug first to make steam cleaning easier. The vacuum removes the dirt present on the top so that the steam cleaner can focus more on the dirt and grime present deep within. 
  2. Now put in carpet soap and water into the clean. Be mindful of the quantity as an excessive amount can affect the shagginess of the rug. 
  3. Move the steam cleaner from one side of the rug to another. Continue doing so until you think it is spotless. 
  4. Once you are done, place the rug in an open-air place to allow it to completely air dry.