Advertisement
  • Newsletter
  • Subscribe
Home Decor

The Complete Guide To Taking Care Of Your Rug

Seven ways to keep it fresh and fabulous.
By Beth Hitchcock
The Complete Guide To Taking Care Of Your Rug

You've chosen your favourite pattern and style of weave and you've positioned the fabulous piece in your living room, bedroom or dining room. The textures and colours really pull the whole space together. To keep this investment feeling and looking fresh and well-maintained, regular rug care is of utmost importance.

Slip-proof rug pad

Use a rug pad on hardwood and tile floors to prevent damage to the rug—and your back, in case it slips.

Regular rotation

Rotate rugs every six months to ensure even wear, especially in high-traffic areas.

Spot clean splotches

Plush: To spot clean plush rugs, blot the stain or spill with a mixture of baby shampoo and water. Use a blow-dryer on a low setting to fluff it up.

Advertisement

Flatweave: Spot clean flatweaves and low-pile rugs with a clean absorbent cloth.

Weekly vacuum

Vacuum weekly (on both sides, if possible) to keep pet hairs from settling into the fibres. A stiff rubber brush may help remove stubborn fur.

Should you vacuum fringe?

Avoid running the vacuum over fringed edges; use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb instead.

How to keep rugs odour-free

To neutralize odours, sprinkle on baking soda, leave for 15 minutes and then vacuum.

Advertisement

Air those carpets out

For a deeper clean, hang the rug over a railing or clothesline and hit it with a broom handle to get the dust out.


Editor’s note:

I hope you enjoyed reading this article from Chatelaine. Our team is working hard to create quality content that informs and inspires during this difficult time.

But making a magazine—and the stories we put online—isn’t free. Chatelaine is built on the hard work and dedication of our writers, editors and production staff. If you can afford it, buying a year-long subscription to our print magazine is a great way to support the work we do—and our team would truly appreciate it. You can do so for $15 ($2.50 per issue!).

Advertisement

Chatelaine has remained an iconic Canadian brand for more than 90 years thanks to its award-winning journalism, triple-tested recipes, trustworthy health advice and joy-sparking style and decor content. If you can, please subscribe here to help ensure we can continue creating journalism that matters to Canadian women.

Sincerely,

Maureen Halushak, editor-in-chief, Chatelaine

The very best of Chatelaine straight to your inbox.

By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Copy link
The cover of Chatelaine magazine's spring 2025 issue, reading "weekend prep made easy"; "five delicious weeknight meals", "plus, why you'll never regret buying an air fryer"; "save money, stay stylish how to build a capsule wardrobe" and "home organization special" along with photos of burritos, chicken and rice and white bean soup, quick paella in a dutch oven, almost-instant Thai chicken curry and chicken broccoli casserole in an enamelled cast-iron skillet

Subscribe to Chatelaine!

Want to streamline your life? In our Spring 2025 issue, we’ll show you how—whether it’s paring down your wardrobe, decluttering your messiest spaces or spending way less time cooking thanks to an easy, mostly make-ahead meal plan for busy weeknights. Plus, our first annual Pantry Awards.