Can You Put A Shaggy Rug In The Washing Machine?
We may earn affiliate fees for purchases using our links (at no additional cost to you).
Rugs are aesthetically pleasing decorations to have in your house. But they get stepped on a lot. You name it— shoes for the outdoors, pets, kids, pets, etc.
So, it gets dirty quite fast. This is when the question comes in “can you put a shaggy rug in the washing machine?”.
It’s possible to clean your shaggy rug with a few different methods. But putting it in the washing machine is really an easy method to opt for.
Can You Put A Shaggy Rug In The Washing Machine?
Yes, you can wash your shaggy rug in the washing machine.
As long as your rug is not too big to be accommodated in a machine and the level on it allows it, you are good to go.
With their longer threads, shag carpets are notorious for concealing dust and grime. So, a washing machine is really a good idea here.
What Rugs Can Be Cleaned In A Washing Machine?
Well, the question is best answered by the level put on the rug. The level comes with every rug. It clearly states if the shaggy rug or any rug is washable by any machine.
If the level puts it in the affirmative, there is nothing to consider. Straight, go for the cleaning.
But, if the level, means the manufacturer, doesn’t permit it, you cannot do washing machine cleaning.
But sometimes the level may not clarify it. Usually, we can categorize the material as washable and not washable by a washing machine.
| Washable in the washing machine | Washable in the washing machine | Not washable in the washing machine | Not washable in the washing machine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nylon | Cotton | Wool | Sisal |
| Polyester | Faux fur | Animal skins and fur | Seagrass |
| Linen | Olefin | Jute | Natural fibers in general |
| Polypropylene | Viscose | – | – |
| Almost all the synthetic fibers | – | – | – |
Ways To Clean A Shaggy Rug In The Washing Machine:
Primarily, be sure to give it a good shaking or a good beating while doing a deep cleaning to get rid of the grime that has settled in the crevices.
Keeping it in the sunlight for some time is also a good idea before you start washing it. This will help eliminate some germs and dust mites.
For now, once it’s been confirmed that the rug can be washed in a machine, we’ll go over the five basic steps for doing so.
Pro tips: Take your rug to a laundromat for cleaning if it can be washed in a machine but is too large to be accommodated in any household washing machine.
It’s possible that industrial-sized machines can handle the dimensions of your rug just well.
The Equipment You Need:
- Cotton swabs or a piece of cloth
- A brush with soft bristles
- A tool for beating the carpet (optional)
- Moderate laundry detergent (moderate)
- A vacuum cleaner
- 4 bath towels
- A nozzle for use with an upholstery vacuum (optional)
- Spray for removing stains (most dish soaps or commercial cleaners do well)
Besides, you will need a level surface to dry the rug. For instance, a tarpaulin outside of your home or any dying rack.
Check If The Rug Is Colorfast:
Before you start washing the rug, you need to be sure that the colors won’t run.
If the rug is not colorfast and you plan to wash it with other items, the color from the rug will transfer to the other clothes and dye them.
To ensure that the rug is properly balanced in the machine, we suggest that you include a couple of towels as well.
Because of this, you should check the rug’s colorfastness in the first place. But if you don’t mind the towels will get colored, then that’s a non-issue.
The Easiest Way To Find Out A Colorfast Rug:
Warm water can be used to dampen a cotton swab or a piece of cloth in order to test the colorfastness of the material.
- Remove the stains from the rug.
- If the rug’s color rubs off onto the cotton swab or piece of cloth, it isn’t colorfast and could potentially stain other clothing you own.
In this particular scenario, it’s probably best to hand wash the rug.
Start With Vacuuming The Rug:
You should step outdoors with your rug and give the rug a good shake. The rug may be too big for you to handle alone.
You might want to enlist the assistance of a friend or family member in that case.
You can also use a wooden paddle to give it a good beating after stringing up the rug on a line.
After you have removed the extra dust and debris from the rug by shaking it, you should lay it down flat on the ground and then vacuum it.
It is possible that this method will prove to be the most successful if you own an upholstery nozzle.
Deal With The Persistent Stains:
Treat any stains that are present on the rug by following the directions on the stain remover that you have chosen.
Before applying dish soap or any other homemade cleaner, wet the stain with a little bit of water to make it easier to remove.
Add the stain remover that you have chosen and wipe it in with the brush that has soft bristles.
Allow it to perform its magic by waiting for 15 minutes before interfering.
Here Comes Your Washing Machine:
It is time to let the washing machine do its job. Allow me to assist you here.
To prevent the load from becoming unbalanced, add two more regular towels to the front-loading machines.
The agitation caused by the towels will assist in removing dirt and stains from the rug.
When using a top-loading washing machine, place the rug over the top of the agitator. To prevent the agitator from tipping over, place a towel on either side of it.
Put some of your mild washing powder in the dispenser or the drum of the machine. Pick the gentle cycle to wash the rug in cold water.
Turn on the cleaning cycle, then step back. Now, watch as the machine takes care of your rug.
Allow The Rug To Air Dry:
Rugs aren’t meant to be dried in the dryer. And we recommend you stick to the rule not to ruin your shaggy rug.
After the wash is complete, use dry towels to blot the rug. You also have the option of placing towels on top of the rug.
Then perform a burrito-like roll on the rug for finally squeeze out any remaining water. This will shorten the amount of time required for air drying.
Different Ways To Dry It:
Pick a place where the rug may be laid out to dry flat. It is recommended that you hang the rug outside to dry while using the tarpaulin as a base.
You may use a clothesline to dry the rug if it is small enough to rest flat on the rack.
Precautions:
It’s possible that it may take the rug a whole day to completely dry out. So, be patient and resist the urge to use it immediately.
How Often Do You Have To Wash Your Shaggy Rug?
Rugs should be washed about once every 15-18 months, at the absolute least. But you have to clean them more often if they grow really filthy.
It’s still recommended that you vacuum your rug once a week. If stains appear, clean them as soon as possible.
Finally, if it is steam-clean compatible, steam-clean it once every several weeks.
Using this method can eliminate odor-causing bacteria and germs while preserving your rug to smell great.
FAQs About Putting A Shaggy Rug In The Washing Machine
How Do I Clean A Polyester Shaggy Rug?
The process is almost the same as the other type of shaggy rugs. The embedded dirt may be vacuumed out together with the rest of the dirt. Just make sure that when the timer goes off, you give the granules a good, long vacuum.
Can I Use A Steam Cleaner For A Shaggy Rug?
Yes, that’s probably the best method for cleaning a shaggy rug that one can opt for. But steam cleaners aren’t a household thing.
So, for this, you have to hire a steam cleaner. It isn’t that much costly, yet not cheap like hand cleaning or machine washing.
How Can I Clean A Big Shaggy Rug?
The ideal method for cleaning a big shaggy rug is to clean it by hand. It will not fit in a washing machine.
If it does, it will mess with the machine. The steam cleaning cost is high. So, pick a shampoo, and do it with your hands.
How Big Of A Rug Can I Put In The Washing Machine?
Rugs that are too big (more than 8×10) to fit in a standard washing machine may end up being damaged.
So, the rug you put inside has to be adequately accommodated. There should be enough space for it to function efficiently. Don’t also put 2-3 small rugs together.
Final Words:
So, can you put a shaggy rug in the washing machine or not? You know the answer very right.
There are no perquisites and no considerations, just vacuum it, and put it in the machine. And give it time to dry out.
Without zero complications you can get a superbly cleaned shaggy rug done by your washing machines. The comment box is yours for any further questions.
