How To Clean a Shag Rug for Long-Term Use

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Learning how to clean a shag rug is essential. It will help ensure that this trendy, fluffy rug lasts long and is safe for the entire family to use. Discover how you can revitalize and make yours comfier in this article!

What Is a Shag Rug?

Shag rugs, as the name suggests, are deep, thick pile rugs with a shaggy or hairy appearance. These rugs stand out due to their long, soft tufts of fibers. With that, they can easily become the focal point of a living room or dining room. They are also comfy and ideal for use as bath mats and floor cushions in the playroom.

Shag rugs originate from ancient Greece but gained popularity in the 1960s and 1970s, particularly in the Middle East. Today, shag rugs are regaining popularity again, with a wide range of shapes, sizes, and colors to choose from for interior designers and rug connoisseurs.

For instance, there are round and rectangular rugs that are ideal for smaller rooms. If you have a large space, however, large round shag rugs are the best option. Shag rugs are also available in both warm and cool colors. Warm-colored rugs can add a lively and inviting aura to your room, whereas cool-colored rugs exude a calm atmosphere.

Types of Shag Rugs

Do you know what makes shag rugs more unique and popular? It is their availability in a variety of materials that contribute to their overall look, appeal, and comfort! Some examples of these are flokati rugs, wool rugs, leather rugs, and synthetic shag rugs.

Flokati

Flokati is the first type of shag rug. It originated from Greece and was typically made of handwoven goat hair. However, its new and current designs, make use of wool and other synthetic materials.

Highly resembling the fur of a sheepdog, flokati is also one of the softest and most plush shag rugs. It is available in shades of white and cream, which are ideal to enhance a serene aura in Scandinavian and Japandi homes. Despite this, there are colorful and bold flokati rugs on the market today.

Flokati comes in either traditional or modern styles. The former is typically thicker and heavier than the latter, with a weight difference of up to 4 kilos. A lightweight modern shag rug is easier to transport than its traditional counterpart.

Wool

Wool shag rugs, on the other hand, come from the sheep’s fur or hair. They are composed of noodle-shaped fibers, giving them an unkempt appearance. Their rug backing is usually wool, but can also be cotton and latex.

Wool fibers are also naturally soft, durable, and hypoallergenic. They are highly absorbent and insulating, making them perfect for providing comfort in any area of your home. Though wool shag rugs are generally available in white tones, many bright color and pattern options are available depending on your preferences.

One drawback of using wool shag rugs is that the fibers tend to yellow over time. This occurs as a result of exposure to sunlight and other chemicals such as bleach and detergent. Therefore, it is important to understand how to clean your wool rugs properly to avoid discoloration and fiber weakening. Wool shag rugs are also the most expensive type, but they are well worth the money due to their superior quality.

Leather

Want a shag rug that can spice up your living room? The leather shag rug is a fantastic choice! Made with soft strips of animal hides that are knotted into an absorbent cotton backing, this rug usually has a quirky and vibrant appearance. It comes in all sizes, shapes, and colors that can match both rustic and contemporary homes.

Even so, it is important to note that leather shag rugs are the most delicate of all shag rug types. Their leather strands are prone to easily breaking off or being torn off. Furthermore, these rugs do not age well, as they lose color and become stiff over time. Since they are vulnerable to damage, leather shag rugs need extra care to ensure that they’ll last longer. They tend to be pricey as well, especially if the leather is of high quality.

Synthetic

Another type that can match the elegance of your home is synthetic shag rugs. They are made of artificial materials like nylon, polyester, and viscose. Though not as durable and as sustainable as wool, these rugs are the easiest to clean. Their surfaces can withstand heat from steam cleaning and are also more tolerant to tough cleaning detergents.

These synthetic shag rugs have a wide variety of attractive designs and patterns that homeowners like you will love. Plus, they are affordable; perfect if you want to save up without compromising comfort and style.

How to Clean a Shag Rug

Getting a shag rug is exciting and beneficial, but it is also challenging to clean. Wool shag rugs, including Flokati, for example, tend to attract and retain lint, hair, and dust. Leather rugs also need careful and proper cleaning to stay sanitary and in good condition. Synthetic shag rugs must also be cleaned on a regular basis because they retain stains and tend to stick to the skin.

With all these challenges in mind, it is important to follow a routine cleaning schedule. One way that you can do this is to get rid of dust and dislodge debris by shaking your rug with any beating tool like a broom or tennis racket. Just place the rug against a clothesline or railing and shake it. Do this at least twice a week for rugs in high-traffic areas and once every two weeks for low-traffic rugs and fragile leather shag rugs.

How to Treat and Remove Stains

Though shaking your shag rug is a good way to remove dirt and debris, you must also employ a more thorough cleaning method for hard-to-clean stains. You’ll need the help of the following cleaning tools to start:

The first thing that you need to do is to vacuum the rug. This is the best way to remove the debris from the stain and maintain the pile’s fluffiness. It is also the most suitable cleaning tool for large and heavy shag rugs.

Use a handheld vacuum like the one featured above for ease of use. Detach and do not use its beater bar to prevent it from breaking the fibers. Next, set the vacuum to its highest setting and direct it to the rug (especially between the fibers) until all the dirt is sucked up. Vacuum the back of the rug as well, but this time with the beater bar and the lowest power setting.

After vacuuming, continue with spot-cleaning. Mix a warm cup of water with mild liquid dishwashing soap or detergent. Dip a microfiber cleaning cloth into it and use it to blot the stain. Rub the area in a circular motion until the stain is no longer visible. Allow the rug to air dry after rinsing it with water.

How to Deep Clean a Shag Rug

While vacuuming your comfy shag rug is effective to eliminate dust and gunk, it can only do so much if dirt has deeply penetrated its surface. Don’t fret if you are facing this problem because you can combat it with the help of deep cleaning!

Begin the process by vacuuming the shag rug. Then, sprinkle the baking soda into the rug to brighten and purify it. Ensure that you place plastic or any protective sheet under the rug to avoid scuffing up your floor. Let the baking soda remain on the rug for at least four hours, preferably overnight.

Continue with sprinkling the rug with a dry carpet shampoo that is appropriate for the type of shag rug that you have. Work it on the rug’s strands using a brush with soft bristles. Allow the cleaning granule to sit for the time specified on the manufacturer’s label. After that, thoroughly shake the rug and vacuum any remaining powder. Finish by fluffing the fibers of the rug with your hands or a carpet rake.

Best Shag Rugs to Buy

1. LOCHAS Modern Area Shag Rug

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Want to transform your dull bedroom? Do it with ease with this area shag rug from Lochas! Sporting a grey color, this shag rug is perfect for your home’s neutral color scheme and minimalist decor. This color is also suitable both for girls’ and boys’ bedrooms.

Additionally, this rug has long, soft strands that make it more comfortable to use. It effectively prevents you from walking on the cold tile and keeps you safe from slippery floors. If there are any minor flaws on your floor, you can literally hide them under the rug! What’s more, this area rug is low maintenance and does not shed.

2. SAFAVIEH California Shag Rug

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It takes more than just preparing enough food for your guests to be a good host. You also want to make sure your home is spotless and looking its best! With that, why not get the SAFAVIEH Shag Rug? This rug will impress your guests with its appealing ivory color and machine-woven design. It serves as a contrast to brightly colored walls and furniture as well.

This rug’s 2-inch thick and soft polypropylene pile is also great for keeping you warm during winter. Keep in mind though that knowing how to clean a shag rug like this one is essential if you want to keep it fluffy and safe for everyone to use. Nonetheless, don’t worry about using it on any occasion because it is also durable and has a non-shedding design!

3. Amdrebio Area Shag Rug

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Is your baby finally learning to walk? Prepare for this milestone by buying a comfortable shag rug like this one from Amdrebioto! Comfy with plush fibers and a rubber backing, your little one will have a safe and great time crawling and standing on it. As such, it is a must-have for any nursery and playroom. It will also effectively reduce the noise in these rooms, allowing your child to sleep peacefully.

Aside from its softness, the pink color of this rug is also appealing. It brightens up and adds a touch of elegance to a room. Match it to your stylish furniture and use it to create a cozy atmosphere in other areas of your home.

Read more: How To Clean Cowhide Rugs

4. Rainlin Abstract Area Shag Rug

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This Rainlin shag rug is yet another eye-catcher that you can add to your home. Its furry look and abstract dark grey pattern will add character to your entryway, living room, or bedroom. Furthermore, the soft polyester strands will help you enjoy sitting on the floor reading or watching your favorite movies.

Besides being stylish, this rug is also a good replacement for your old interlocking foam mats. It functions as a fuzzy cushion for toddlers to use whenever they want to play with fun and educational toys. What’s more, this rug is also pet-friendly!

5. nuLOOM Shag Rug

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Create visual interest in your room with this stunning shag rug from nuLoom. It features a striking diamond pattern that adds depth and helps amplify an inviting atmosphere in your home. The white and black scheme will also go well with any home décor and wall colors. Thus, this shag rug is a suitable statement piece not just in the living room but also in the dining area, entryway, and foyer.

If you do not have any experience and are wondering how to clean this shag rug, don’t worry because dirt can be removed with simple vacuuming. Spot cleaning is also an option for spills and stains!

With their superior quality and benefits, shag rugs are excellent additions to any home. They will not only add comfort and style to your space, but they will also make home living easy as they are simple to maintain. Now that you know everything there is to know about them, you can begin selecting the ones for your needs and keeping them looking brand new at all times!