Vacuum Front & Back
Vacuum your rugs as frequently as you vacuum your carpet, around once a week. Take the time to go over them carefully, even if your rug is on a hardwood floor.
Then, about once a month, flip your rug over and vacuum the back, too. This will give you the best clean and the most likely to get rid of the dirt to which bacteria love to cling. Make your rug a hostile environment for germs!
Use the Sun
Sunlight is a natural disinfectant. Once every few months, lay or hang your rug outside and leave it there for a couple of hours.
The ultraviolet radiation from the sun has been proven to kill bacteria, and it's certainly the safest way to get your rug clean without damaging it.
Treat Stains Properly
Resist the urge to scrub a spill. If you start scrubbing when something spills, not only will you spread the stain around and push it further into the rug, you also run the risk of damaging the fibers, permanently changing the look of your rug in that area.
Instead, blot the stain with a damp cloth until the cloth comes back clean, then dry in the same way. If you still need to clean it, find a stain remover appropriate for your rug.
