How To Clean Faux Fur Rug
Have you ever spotted a new stain on your beautiful faux fur rug and cringed? These rugs add such cozy texture to any space, but keeping them clean can be tricky. Don’t stress – I’ve got your back!
In this handy guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to clean a faux fur rug and keep it looking fabulous for years to come. Whether you’ve got a small sheepskin or a giant luxurious shag, these tips will help you care for your furry accent rug properly. Let’s get shaking, vacuuming, and gently scrubbing so you can enjoy that plush rug without worry!
Why It’s Important To Clean Faux Fur Rugs
Before we dig into the details, let’s review why it’s so crucial to clean your faux fur rug in the first place. Here are some key reasons you’ll want to make fur rug cleaning a habit:
Remove Dirt, Grime, and Stains
Like any rug, faux fur will attract dirt, dust, and pesky stains over time. From muddy paws to spills and everything in between, keeping the rug clean means removing these debris and spots regularly.
Prevent Matting and Tangles
All that fluffy fur can get matted down and tangled without proper care. Regular cleaning will keep the fibers bouncy and tangle-free.
Maintain Appearance and Texture
Faux fur rugs look best when the fibers are upright, plush, and soft. Cleaning preserves the density and texture that gives them that lux feel.
Prolong Life of Rug
The right cleaning methods will help your faux fur rug last for many years, while improper care could damage or felt the fibers. Protect your investment with good cleaning habits!
Gather The Right Cleaning Materials
Before we dig into the cleaning, let’s talk about the supplies you’ll want to have on hand. Here are some cleaning essentials to care for your faux fur rug:
A Handheld Vacuum
A regular vacuum with beater bars can wreak havoc on a faux fur rug. Instead, use a handheld vacuum to conveniently suck up dust and debris.
Hose Attachment for Your Vacuum
If you don’t have a handheld, you can use the hose attachment on your regular vacuum – this avoids direct contact with the rug.
A Slicker Brush or Wool Comb
For removing tangles or matted spots, these tools are magic. Just brush gently through the fibers.
Soft Bristle Brush
Great for working surface stains out by gently scrubbing or lathering on cleaning solution.
Mild Detergent or Soap
Avoid harsh chemicals! Look for a gentle laundry detergent or even dish soap.
Towels
For blotting and drying – cotton towels are very absorbent.
Fan or Blow Dryer (Optional)
Speeds up drying time if you’re in a rush. Use cool setting to avoid damage.
Okay, with our arsenal assembled, let’s get down to business!
How To Clean Small Faux Fur Rugs
Let’s start with tips for cleaning smaller faux fur rugs that can be managed more easily by hand:
Step 1: Shake It Out
Take your rug outside and give it a good shake or two to loosen and remove dust and debris. Freedom!
Step 2: Vacuum Thoroughly
Whip out that handheld vacuum to suck up anything remaining after the shake. Pass over the whole surface, turning it around to reach all sides.
Step 3: Spot Clean Stains
If you’ve got a specific stain to tackle, spot clean the area with a soft bristled brush and mild detergent diluted in water. Gently scrub and let sit briefly before blotting with a towel.
Step 4: Hand Wash Entire Rug
For a deeper clean, hand wash the whole rug. Fill your sink or tub with cool water and add a small amount of gentle detergent. Immerse the rug, gently swish it around and let it soak for 15 minutes.
Step 5: Rinse Thoroughly
Drain the dirty water and rinse the rug under cool clean running water. Make sure to rinse away all the suds and soap residue.
Step 6: Blot Away Excess Moisture
Press the rug gently with towels to soak up as much water as possible before drying.
Step 7: Air Dry
Lay the rug flat or hang it to completely air dry. Fluff and reshape the fibers as it dries.
And voila, your small faux fur rug is clean and refreshed! Those are the basic steps, but let’s look at caring for bigger rugs next.
Cleaning Large Faux Fur Rugs
When you’ve got an oversized faux fur rug, full hand washing is not usually realistic. Here’s how to clean it effectively in sections:
Step 1: Vacuum, Vacuum, Vacuum!
Use a handheld vacuum or the hose attachment on your regular vacuum to clean the entire surface of the rug. Get into all the crevices and edges.
Step 2: Spot Clean Sections
Work in manageable portions. Dab stains with a sponge and mild detergent diluted in water. Rinse and blot with a towel before moving to the next section.
Step 3: Allow To Dry Completely
It’s crucial to let the rug dry fully laying flat before walking on it or placing furniture on top. Rotate it to evenly dry all areas.
Step 4: Fluff And Reshape
As the rug dries, use your hands to gently fluff up the fibers and reshape any matted sections.
Spot cleaning in sections is gentler than washing the entire heavy rug. For bigger jobs, keep reading for machine and hand washing options too.
Tips For Machine Washing Faux Fur Rugs
While it’s always best to check the manufacturer’s label, many faux fur rugs can be washed in the machine if done carefully. Here are some key tips:
- Wash alone – don’t add other items which could cause lint issues.
- Use cold water – hot water can damage the fibers.
- Choose the delicate cycle and lowest spin speed.
- Use a mild detergent, avoid bleach or fabric softener.
- One wash cycle only! Don’t overwash the fibers.
- ** Reshape and air dry** – lay flat and fluff the nap afterwards.
The machine can take a lot of physical effort out of washing, but make sure to follow these precautions to avoid damage!
How To Hand Wash Faux Fur Rugs
If needed, faux fur rugs can also be effectively hand washed by following these steps:
Step 1: Fill With Cool Water
Use your bathtub or a large bin, filled about halfway with cool water. Avoid hot temperatures!
Step 2: Add Mild Detergent
Squirt in a small amount of gentle laundry detergent or dish soap and swish to dissolve.
Step 3: Soak and Wash Sections
Work in portions, soaking and washing only the dirtiest areas first if needed. Let soak for 15 minutes before draining.
Step 4: Rinse Thoroughly
Keep rinsing until the water runs completely clear to remove all soap residue.
Step 5: Reshape and Air Dry
Gently reshape the rug’s fibers while leaving flat to air dry fully. Fluff and rotate intermittently.
By hand washing in sections, you can clean the entire rug while being gentle on the fibers. Just take care to fully remove all soap.
Drying: The Most Important Step!
However you wash your faux fur rug, drying it properly is absolutely key. Here are some DOs and DON’Ts for safe drying:
DON’T:
- Machine dry – can damage fibers
- Use dry cleaners – chemicals can discolor
- Hang heavy rugs – causes stretching
DO:
- Air dry slowly, out of sunlight
- Lay flat or use plastic rack to retain shape
- Use fans/blow dryer on cool setting if in a hurry
- Fluff and rotate rug as it dries
Take the time to fully air dry your rug – heat and weight when wet can ruin the texture and cause matting in the fibers. A little patience prevents a fuzzier future!
Keeping Faux Fur Rugs Looking New In Between Cleanings
To maximize time between deep cleanings, be sure to care for your rug regularly using these tips:
- Vacuum frequently – weekly is ideal to prevent dirt buildup
- Shake it out once in awhile – keeps fibers fresh
- Rotate high-traffic rugs to evenly distribute wear
- Brush fibers with a slicker brush to prevent matting
- Blot spills ASAP with a towel to prevent stains
- Look for rugs with stain-resistant treatments for easier upkeep
With some TLC, your faux fur rug will maintain that plush, cozy look for many years. Give it some shake, vacuum, scrub love!
Get Ready To Snuggle That Fluffy Rug Again
Everything you need to know to keep your faux fur rug looking luxurious. While they require some special care, a little gentle cleaning attention goes a long way.
Give those tips a try the next time your rug needs refreshing. And don’t be afraid to get your hands fluffy – a pristine faux fur rug is oh so worth it! Enjoy that cozy, textured accent for many years by taking good care of its luscious fibers.
