Try these expert tips to clean the dirt out of your carpets.

Learn how to clean rugs and carpets the right way so they last for years.

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How Often to Clean Rugs and Carpets

Regular vacuuming is essential.

orange Vacuum cleaner on carpet

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For lower-traffic areas (such as your bedroom), you could get away with a twice-weekly run.

Keep in mind thatrobot vacuumscan help you cross this to-do off of your list.

If you see dye on the cloth, it’s not colorfast).

Blue carpet with a black vacuum and cleaning tools in a bucket.

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Hang the rug so it dries as quickly as possible.

Check the care tag for notes on the recommended water temperature and detergent.

If it isn’t machine washable, you might use the natural rug method.

Small gray rug on a light tan wooden floor.

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Step 4: Rinse and scrub

Wet down the rug.

Apply the cleaner with a brush, and let it set in if required.

Step 5: Rinse again

Remove the detergent with a hose or a sponge and cool water.

Living room featuring large area rug and a blue couch and chair.

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Do not place furniture of any kind back on a wet carpet until it is fully dry.

However, the popular cleaning ingredient is better suited for neutralizing odors in rugs.

Sprinkle a few teaspoons of baking soda over the stained area and let it sink into the carpet.

Tan wall to wall carpet with a beige couch, chairs, and table in the background.

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Once dry, vacuum the baking soda and assess the stain.

This method also works for rugs that have deep indents from furniture.

Some carpet shampoos have chemicals that are too strong for certain materials, which can damage the fibers.

Large tan rug with gray couch and living room furniture on the background.

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