Shag rugs are popular and trending, modern design rugs, especially in America. This has been so for several years. These rugs are also known as Shaggy rugs and have a longer pile, which is a feature that makes them look shaggy and fluffy. Moreover, they are made with synthetic fiber, which makes them ideal for use in places with heavy traffic and risks of spills. The synthetic nature makes them easy to clean and wash. Why most people love buying Shag Rugs is because adding just one beautiful shag carpet could give your room a welcoming and warm feeling. We often get asked; how to make 6x9 Rugs fluffy again? Can you vacuum a shag rug? How to clean a shag rug?
You may find shaggy rugs featuring in interior design magazines or even in use by celebrities in television shows. There is no denying that shag carpets add luxury and elegance to any room.
One thing most people forget to mention is that these soft and fluffy shag rugs can be a pain! Owning an elegant rug like this does not come without a catch. You need to know how long they take to clean, whether or not you should vacuum them every day, what type of detergent works best on them - let us guide you through it all in our article.
5 Types Of Shag Rugs
Let us look at the five different types of shag rugs you can find in the market and what makes them different. We will also share a little more information about how to clean them.
1. Flokati Rugs
Flokati shag rugs are a type of handmade wool rug, made traditionally in Greece. These shag carpets are usually a white or cream color, but you can find them dyed in multiple color schemes as well.
Mostly, they are 100% wool, including the rug backing. Flokati rugs are one of the fluffiest types of shag rugs you will find in the market. They would remind you of a sheepdog. They get dirty easily and require cleaning and brushing often. To maintain the soft, fluffy look of a Flokati shag rug, you should schedule a regular cleaning.
Clean it before it even gets dirty! Otherwise, it will get too messy, matted, and stained. A shaggy fluffy rug ignored can get to a point where no matter how much you clean it, it will never get back to its original look.
2. Wool Shag Rugs
There are two main types of wool shag rugs, namely – "noodles" and "shaggy." Their thick wool fibers are in the shape of noodles. This feature makes them feel very soft and look luxurious. However, their texture comes at a price. Their soft fiber tends to attract all kinds of particles, for example - dirt, dust, hair, and other small particles that stick.
To make maintaining these rugs difficult, because the tufts are loosely attached to the backing, pulling out the dirt particles becomes tougher in noodle rugs. The other type of wool shag rug is the "shaggy" wool rug. The fibers in these shaggy rugs are a lot thinner and closer together than those of the noodle area rug. The small shaggy Wool Rugs for sale that are available at RugKnots are hand-knotted using 100% natural wool.
You might want to check them out and buy one! This type of shag rug is much easier to clean than the fluffier version mentioned above because the knots are much closer together.
This makes it more difficult for dirt and grime to slip through the cracks. The wool shag rug is more durable and easier to care for. However, it sometimes is more expensive than the traditional low-pile rug. At RugKnots, we have many types of hand-tufted shaggy rugs for the living room.
You will find them in reasonably smaller sizes, which makes the price lower on this type of luxury shaggy rug. Explore our online store now and buy a shag rug today. However, if you are getting a LARGE, high-quality shag carpet, the price would increase (and it is more difficult to clean).
3. Leather Shag Rugs
These shags are somewhat easier to clean than others are because you can use a leather cleaner on them. These rugs, however, can be pricey based on brand and quality of leather, and they ARE NOT pet-friendly... or, in general, life-friendly. Placing a leather shaggy rug strategically in a low-traffic area in your home is the key to keeping it clean. Put it in a place where it will not suffer exposure to accidents involving foods, liquids, and pets.
4. Acrylic Shaggy Rugs
Acrylic wool shaggy rugs not only look cheaper than wool shag rugs, but they are a danger for your home. They are highly flammable, and most interior decorators do not recommend them for homes with kids. Cleaning them is also easier, like leather shags. You can also wash them frequently if necessary.
5. Synthetic Shaggy Rugs
Although synthetic shag rugs are not the highest quality rugs, they can be somewhat easier to clean because, unlike wool, they can handle a steam cleaner. However, they will still not last very long because they are generally low-quality materials. Now let us get back to the different cleaning methods that you can use for these different types of shags.
How To Prevent Dirt And Spills On Shaggy Rugs
Prevention is better than cure – and this saying fits for shaggy rugs perfectly. Why let things get so bad that you would have to worry about how to clean a shag rug and go through the hassle? Preventing spills and dirt from making the shaggy rug look so bad is the best thing to do. Here are some preventive measures you must take:
- Place your fluffy shaggy rug in low-traffic areas.
- Make strict rules at home to keep your shag safe from harm. No one should walk on it with shoes on, nor throw trash on it, or eat around it.
- Keep the floor beneath it clean and dust-free.
Maintaining Shag Rugs Can Be Difficult
We will tell you how you can make your shag rugs look fluffy always. They are thick, soft, and higher pile rugs than the regular Hand-Knotted Rugs. This means the fibers are longer than those seen in regular rugs.
The high pile in these rugs makes it significantly harder to clean than it is to clean regular area rugs. Dirt and dust tend to go deep in the crevices between the fibers, making it nearly impossible to reach them with a simple dusting cloth or a brush. Moreover, large shag rugs can be very heavy, making them even more difficult to clean.
Having a fluffy white shag carpet would require special attention to keep it looking awesome. Adding to the difficulty is the variety of types of shaggy rugs for the living room on the market. There are many different types of shag area rugs, and owners must clean each shaggy rug and care for them differently. The cleaning methods must be specific to their material.
To shed more light on this, the material used to make Frieze shag carpets is mostly twisted fibers flops worked in a lustrous manner to make them look luxurious. The same is the case with Wool Shag rugs. They need cleaning in a far different way than normal shag carpets do.
Therefore, professional rug cleaners will charge significantly more to clean shag rugs than they would clean the more expensive, low-pile rugs. Now that you are here at RugKnots, we will help you learn about the different types of shag rugs and their specific traits. This way, you can know how to clean shag rugs yourself.
How To Make A Shaggy Rug Fluffy Again
Most people may not realize it, but using a vacuum to clean the shag already helps make it fluff up. Apart from that, we recommend using the rug beater. It not only loosens up the stubborn dirt in the rug but also makes it fluffy while dislodging the dirt. After using the rug beater, vacuuming again helps make it fluffier.
You can also use a carpet rake before vacuuming the shag rug. Moving the rake in a pulling and pushing motion across the shaggy carpet helps. Repeat vacuuming and then rake it again until you feel sure you have groomed your carpet enough to make it fluffy. Sometimes, if the shag is too old, it is better to replace it with a new one. You can explore our collection of shag rugs right away and place an order.
Here Are The Best Ways On How To Clean A Shag Rug
1: Test The Method First
To clean a shag rug, you must consider the material in it and what method is ideal for it. Before you start using any method, first test it on a small section of your rug. This tip applies particularly in cases where cleaning products are involved. Reading all the "instructions for use" carefully before applying the cleaning detergent onto the rug would also be a good idea. Carpet cleaning is essential but choosing the right method would help you choose the best option for your carpet.
2: Vacuuming
The first question most people ask is if they can vacuum shag rugs Yes, but with caution. When handled recklessly, the vacuum can suck in the fibers of the shaggy rug and make them get stuck in the vacuum. Carefully vacuum your rug at least once a week to make it look new and free of dirt.
Here Are A Few Steps To Help You Vacuum Your Rug:
- Shake your rug out before vacuuming to get a fuller clean
- Slowly vacuum your shaggy rugs, row by row.
- You can also turn your rug over and vacuum the back and outwards to knock out the dirt in the shag.
- Remember that vacuuming cannot take all dirt out of your shaggy rug. You should run the vacuum over the same spot at least two to three times to obtain good results. This rule specifically applies to white shag or beige shag rugs because of their lighter color tone. Another important tip we need to share is that using a vacuum helps to make a shag rug fluffy again.
Warning: If it feels as if vacuuming is pulling the fiber of rugs, STOP IT! Vacuuming might not be a suitable way to clean your Shag carpet. Choose an alternative method.
3: Use A Rug Rake
Another recommendation we have is that you should use a rug rake instead of a vacuum cleaner. It looks like a comb and allows you to groom the shaggy rug gently. Carpet rakes are also good for getting rid of any excess pet hair and dirt and debris from the rug.
4: Shake It Or Smack It
Take your rug outside and shake it rigorously. For bigger-sized rugs, ask someone to help you out. Hold opposite ends and shake the rug out as hard as possible, without causing it to tear away.
Be careful and make sure that the wind is not blowing towards you! If not, you will get a lot of dirt heading your way. After smacking or shaking off the dirt thoroughly, hang it upside-down or over the clothesline and beat it with a broom or a mop handle. Some people recommend leaving the rug outside in the sun for a few hours to kill any lingering bacteria. However, keep in mind that the sun's UV rays can damage the color of your fluffy shaggy rug if you leave it outside for a prolonged period!
5: Use Your Dog's Wide-Toothed Brush
If you own a wool shaggy rug, you can even use your dog's wide-toothed brush to make a shag rug fluffy again. Some wool shaggy rug owners do this and recommend it too. The dog's brush will help loosen up the pile and get rid of any matted patches. Remember! This tip can only work on sheepdog-like rugs. If your shaggy is synthetic, you can damage it.
6: Try A Dry Bath
Bathing your rug with dry shampoo is an easy way out. All you would need to have is a dry shampoo of any good brand and a brush with soft bristles. You should prefer an outside area as giving a bath to a shaggy can create a lot of mess. Sprinkle the dry shampoo all over the rug.
Take the brush and start cleaning the rug gently. You should then leave the shampoo to set it properly. This time may vary depending on your shampoo. You can check the manufacturer's instructions for it. It is normally more than 10 minutes or so. You can vacuum the rug to take the shampoo out of it. It will help in breaking the dirt loose from the fiber strands Sometimes, even after shaking and vacuuming, the shaggy rugs tend to look dirty. It can be because these methods cannot ensure absolute cleaning.
This scenario might sound more common to those who own a pink shag rug or a grey shag rug. The light color tone makes them very sensitive to dirt and dust. After the dry bath, using a vacuum will be a good way to make a shag rug fluffy again.
7: Spot Clean The Shaggy Rugs
This Shag Rug cleaning method is a big savior at disastrous moments. Just imagine, spilling some fruit juice or curry on your shaggy rug. If you are proud of your shaggy carpet, that moment will make you feel like you were experiencing a mini heart attack.
If you have some annoying stains on your shaggy fluffy rug, here is something you can do to get rid of them: First, you need to be super vigorous in cleaning the spills. Use a cloth to soak the spill off the shaggy fluffy rug before it goes deep inside the carpet. We recommend using a cloth that is white or any neutral color to soak the spills. This is necessary because it will eliminate the chance of the fabric color transferring on your shaggy.
Absorb the spill into the cloth as best you can. You should avoid rubbing a cloth on the rug, as it can spread the stain. Just dab the cloth repeatedly to soak all the liquid. If you are concerned about the choice of cloth for cleaning the stains, go for microfiber. It can do the job better without leaving any of its marks on the rug. Baby wipes and wet paper towels can also be a good choice. There is a condition for choosing them - they should be alcohol-free. Now take any wet and clean cloth, start dabbing it on the stained rug part. Keep doing until you feel you have done the best you can to handle the stain.
WARNING: Avoid scrubbing your shag carpet with a hard bristles brush. It can rather damage the delicate fiber strands. If your shaggy fluffy rug needs more cleaning, go for the next step. Choose any gentle dish soap or detergent. Mix them in water to make a solution. Dip any clean cloth in it and rub the stained part gently. Once the stain is off, leave the shaggy rug in the open air to dry properly.
8: Use Vinegar To Spot Clean
In place of soap/detergent, vinegar can also do the spot cleaning job. However, it is important to dilute it. Make a solution with an equal amount of vinegar and lukewarm water. Dip a clean cloth in it and then scrub the stained part gently. Leave the shaggy rug out to dry completely, preferably for an extended period of time that can be counted as 24 hours.
9: Steam Cleaning
A steam cleaner can be a good option to clean your shaggy rug thoroughly. It is an easier method to get rid of all odors, dust, and other dirt settled deep inside. To carry out the process successfully, first, vacuum it thoroughly. A vacuumed rug gets better cleaning with a steam cleaner. Once your vacuum removes the dirt present at top layers, steam cleaner gets the chance to focus more on grime buried deep inside.
Next, add water and carpet soap/detergent in a steam cleaner. You should take care of the quantity because excessive cleaning can damage the shaggy. Do not forget to read all the instructions before using the reagent. Move the cleaner over your rug from one side to another. Keep doing this until you feel it is spotless and tidy enough. Leave the rug outdoors or at a properly ventilated location to let it air dry properly. To make a shag rug fluffy again, try raking it or use a vacuum.
10: Use A Scotch Guard
You can also protect your shag carpet with a Scotch Guard. You can spray these products to gain protection against stains on the rug fiber.
11: Wash Your Shag Carpet
To prolong the life of your shag rug, you should pay special attention to its maintenance. It means you better not let it stay dirty for any time. Here is how to wash a shag rug with as little hassle as possible. Just like the steam cleaning series, start the procedure with vacuuming. Then follow these steps:
If your rug is not very large, you can take any good-sized tub. Otherwise, washing on a clean floor can be a convenient option. Fill the tub with warm (not very hot) water. Choose any safe detergent/cleaner and mix it in the water. You can increase/decrease its quantity as compared to the rug's size. Put the rug inside and let it sit for 10 or more minutes. You can either use your hand or a brush with very soft bristles to remove the stains. Rinse the rug properly to take out soap. Leave it for a significant time in an open area to air dry.
As mentioned earlier, to make a shag rug fluffy again, use the vacuum or a carpet rake. Some people wonder if they can put a shaggy rug in the washing machine. The answer is yes, BUT certain conditions apply. You can put it in a washing machine only if your shag carpet does not have a rubber back. Use a Gentle Cycle and Cold Water mode to machine wash it. Still, as rug experts, we insist that using a washing machine is not a preferable method to clean your shag rug.
12: Cool Air Dryer
This cleaning method applies specifically to small rugs only. You can use your dryer with no heat, just air, to clean your rug. It can help you to take out most of the soil and dust rooted inside the shag. Many professional cleaners have large-sized dryers. They use them for dusting purposes as well as for grooming rugs after cleaning them.
13: Take It To The Pros
If you want to get a deeper clean than the tips listed above, or if you want to avoid DIY techniques, just take your shag to the nearest rug cleaning company near you! Keep in mind that getting a shag carpet cleaned professionally can be pricey because of the difficulty involved!
Back in the 1970s, people were fond of these shag rugs. A very thick and comfortable shag rug with bright colors was a fashion statement back then. After some time, Modern Rugs replaced them, but today shags are back, and people love having them. If you are ready to own a shag rug, then check out our collection at RugKnots and place your order right away!
14: Clean Them Often
Cleaning shag rugs is not difficult at all, but it does require regular upkeep to maintain their beauty and character. It's best to clean them often because that way you can prevent the growth of bacteria on your rug from forming due to constant use or food spillage.
15: Do Not Use A Hot Air Dryer:
The last recommendation we have is that you should never use a hot dryer. It can destroy the shaggy rug with heat so it is best to let them air out on their own or get professional help if needed. If you follow these tips, you'll be able to keep your shaggy rug in great shape for a long time even if it's used on a daily basis.
That sums it up for our Shag Rugs blog today. If you have any further queries about your rugs looking dull or want to learn more about maintaining your old rugs, or any other questions feel free to drop us an email at info@rugknots.com or call us at (301) 660-7046. Our team will definitely get back to you with all the answers.
EVA
I usually don’t comment, but this is a really nice blog, and I am learning many new things.
Thank you a lot. Keep writing and spreading more useful information with us
Stefanie Christner
I bought a beautiful high pile satin piled 10 by 12 handwoven expresso colored carpet on a close out sale. Its beautiful . I have it since Christmas. I use a little suction vacuum and it works great. I liked your suggestion to use dry carpet cleaners…..
Stefanie Christner
I bought a beautiful high pile satin piled 10 by 12 handwoven expresso colored carpet on a close out sale. Its beautiful . I have it since Christmas. I use a little suction vacuum and it works great. I liked your suggestion to use dry carpet cleaners…..
Stefanie Christner
I bought a beautiful high pile satin piled 10 by 12 handwoven expresso colored carpet on a close out sale. Its beautiful . I have it since Christmas. I use a little suction vacuum and it works great. I liked your suggestion to use dry carpet cleaners…..
Delores J Smock
Great tips but very negative to shag rugs except the most expensive wool ones
.I purchased a large high end synthetic because its just me and my cats…they dont scratch it at all and I am finding it not so difficult as this article makes out to keep it clean & it is an off white color.Its very durable & luxurious.Living in Canada we are accustomed to removing our shoes inside anyones house so there is no tracking of dirt to the rug.
I vacuum with an upright using no beater bar a cple times a week and its still gorgeous!I love my synthetic shag rug!
Lorraine Ball
Shag rug is a fun option for any home! The 70’s are definitely making a comeback. If you’re wonderinng how to decorate around a shag rug, look no further. :) https://www.tishflooring.com/2017/09/its-the-70s-all-over-again/
Paul Brown
I heard natural fibres are great as they dont catch odor and they are eco-friendly as well. I will be installing natural fibres as my carpets soon. Will let you know!
karen johns
Thanks for the interesting post. I always appreciate articles from you.It helps easy home vacuum
Rita L Whiteman
Your shag rug info is straight on. Thanks.
Best Pet Vacuum
Amazing tips! We are happy to found your article informative. Thank you.
Cortney
So what if your children get food stuck within the rug, like, sticky and crumbly food? How can you actually “clean” to suck up possibly tons of these foods from within the fibers, top to bottom? :•
Robert Rosenthal
Thanks so much for the useful and thorough info. Much appreciated!
Rob Rosenthal
Thanks so much for the great info! Greatly appreciated…