How to Clean a Shag Rug (Plus Other Tricky Rugs Too)

Cleaning a shag rug is tricky because they’re typically delicate. Avoid using a vacuum, which can tear off fibres. Instead, shake the rug outdoors, or beat it with a rug beater. (You can flip it over and vacuum the flat underside of a shag rug!) For spot cleaning stains, immediately blot the stain, and then dilute it with water, and follow up with gentle scrubbing with a carpet cleaning soap. Rinse the spot, and then allow it to dry completely, preferably hanging outdoors.

To keep the tufts of a sheepskin rug soft and bright, it’s best to hand wash with a wool wash. Let the rug soak in the soap wash for 30 minutes and then gently rinse the soap out with warm water, working it out of the tufts of sheepskin with your hands. Lay the rug flat to dry (outdoors if possible) and then once your rug is completely dry, you can brush the sheepskin back to it’s fresh, fluffy glory.

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The natural fibres of a jute rug are super delicate, so it’s best to avoid vacuuming and brushing if you can, and stick to hanging and beating your jute rug outdoors to dislodge dust and dirt. For spills, use a natural cleaning solution, like equal parts warm water and white vinegar and work the stain very gently using a cloth (not a brush).

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For sticky spills, like gum, you can actually use ice to freeze the gum and then cleanly scrape it off! For glue, wait until the spill has dried and then use a small amount of nail polish remover to help break up the dried glue. Before you do this, do a test patch of the nail polish remover on a hidden spot of the rug to ensure it won’t discolour your carpet.

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Using an all-natural cleaning product (like a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar), wipe down your child’s play mat every other day and allow it to dry thoroughly before letting little crawlers back on to play.

Bath mats are so important to clean because they’re in a non-stop cycle of getting soaked and drying out. It’s very common for mold to grow on bath mats, which can lead to stinky, stale odours in your bathroom. Make an effort to always hang your bath mat to dry after baths and showers, and wash your bath mat once per week. Most bath mats can be washed in the washing machine and tossed in the dryer, but you can always use a gentle cycle to avoid wear and tear on the fibres. X Base Bath Mat, CB2, $30.

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Your door mat won’t speak up for itself (it’s a literal and figurative door mat), so it’s up to you to keep it clean! Give it a good shake once a week, and once a month, vacuum your outdoor mat to remove deep-seated dirt. You can also give it a good scrub using a thick bristle brush and mild dish soap, and then rinse it with your garden hose, and allow it to thoroughly dry out in the sun. Hello Doormat, West Elm, $45.

We get you can’t move every piece of furniture each time you vacuum, but to avoid major dents in your rug, it’s ideal to move heavy furniture every few weeks, and try to vacuum or brush the fibres back to standing. You can also rotate rugs every six months to a year to help avoid wear and tear in the same spots.

After each use, you should always sanitize your yoga mat, and allow it to fully dry before rolling it up. For a deeper clean, you can soak your yoga mat in the bath in a mixture of mild detergent and warm water. Let it soak for five minutes before draining the soapy water, rinsing the mat with fresh water, and then hanging it outdoors to dry in the sun.

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The standard of clean for outdoor rugs is likely lower than your indoor rugs (it’s nearly impossible to keep these clean), but you can easily sweep or vacuum your outdoor rug regularly, and rinse it with a mild detergent or rug cleaner on occasion. Outdoor rugs are made to get wet and dry out easily, so you can literally hose it down without much care! Nicole Miller Patio Country Outdoor Rug, Amazon, $203.