How to Clean a Braided Rug

Cleaning of the braided rugs

Braided rugs are crafted by hand using a mix of methods, varied hues, and trendy patterns that can elevate the look of your home. Rugs soften the living room, corridor, or bedroom, and they are always inviting to the eye, but as with any well-trodden rug, braided ones easily accumulate dirt, dust, or pet hair from those little spills of midnight snacks that often find their way onto furniture eventually.
There is a simple way to clean a braided rug, provided you can do it gently and carefully. The material properties of a braided rug are the ones that distinguish it from other types. The components of any given braided rug are braided hay or rope, which is generally itself plaited and twisted into a round or oval shape by means of weaving and stitching the strands. 

Because of their special construction:

• Dirt collects among the braids anyway; do not wash this item in a machine.
  
• Cleaning that is quite harsh, which may result in loosening or damaging the stitches.
  
• The proper level of humidity should be maintained to avoid molding.
  

At what intervals should a Braided Rug be vacuumed?

To maintain the quality and for proper maintenance of braided rugs, we need to:

• Vacuum: at most twice a week
  
• Deep clean: Every 3–6 months
  
• Professional cleaning: Annually, for large or valuable rugs
  
• Spot clean for the moment as a spill occurs.

The dust and dirt usually cannot get in between the braided rug, so the color and stitching are protected with regular care.

How to Clean a Braided Rug at Home

1. Vacuum both sides of the Rug

Employ a vacuum with a gentle suction to such an extent that the fibers won’t be yanked out. 
Recommendations:

1. Vacuum in the same path as the braids are made.
   
2. The mattress cleaning process requires lifting the mattress slightly and vacuuming under it. 
   

The delicate carpets made by hand should not be assigned to the vacuum's beater bar because it normally leads to the unravelling of the stitching.

2. Spot Clean Stains-the Right Way

Accidents such as coffee, juice, mud, or even pet messes are nothing unusual. Spot cleaning is a technique of managing the situation and, at the same time, stopping the stains from Spot cleaning is one of the possible ways to deal with the situation and, at the same time, prevent the stains from going deeper into the rug.

3. Spot Cleaning Method:

• A fresh cloth should be utilized, and the stain should be blotted (avoid rubbing!). 
  
• Water should be mixed with only a negligible amount of liquid detergent. 
  
• The detergent should first be mixed with water and then applied to the stains gently.
  
• A wet cloth should be used for dabbing and rinsing the rug.
  

Don’t:

• Use bleach 
  
• Harsh chemicals 
  
• Scrubbing brushes 
  

These might break the braiding and lead to fading of the color.

4. Rug Cleaning Deep (Safe Method)

If a deep cleaning hasn't been done so already, a rug that has received little or no cleaning will have a dull and unkempt look, and deep cleaning it will completely revive and restore its beauty.

Deep Cleaning - The Most Efficient Method:

• Place the carpet in a dry and clean area.
  
• Then mix the detergent with water first in a bucket.
  
• A microfiber towel should be used by dipping it into the mixture.
  
• Then gently rub the carpet in the direction of the braids. 
  
• A cloth that is slightly wet should be used to wipe off the soap.
  
• The rug should be deeply cleaned from both sides.
  

Note:

Do not soak the rug in water completely; it will ruin the stitching pattern and will, in turn, lead to bad odor and molding.

5. The right way to dry rugs

The rug has to be cleaned first and then it has to be put in a ventilated area where it will naturally dry.
Drying Tips:

• Do not place it under direct sunlight (this may cause fading)
  
• At the end of the drying process, turn the rug over and do so to speed up the process.
  
• A wet rug should not be folded or rolled up.
  
• A completely dried rug maintains its shape, structure, and color. 
  
• Read about the possibility of having a braided rug washed in a machine.
  

Most of the rugs which are synthetically made can be washed in machines however the traditional one made with wool ,cotton ,or jute are prefered to be washed with hands only. Machine washing comes with several disadvantages, such as fiber breakage, color mixing, and shrinking, which could be some of the results, whereas the design might be altered.

Tips for maintaining the clean rug for a longer time:

Your braided rug can easily become clean and last longer with the least effort. Just need to have a couple of habits, and here they are: 

• Put a rug pad below the rug to lower the friction.
  
• Change the position of the rug after a few months.
  
• Be barefoot or wear only socks when on the rug.
  
• Remove the spill immediately.
  

By following these small steps we can protect our rugs efficiently.

FAQs

Q1. Is cleaning braided rugs with bleach or vinegar okay?

A: YES, it is okay but proper methodology should be followed by missing it with 3 parts of water.

Q2. Should we buy a braided rug while having pets at home?

A: They are very sturdy, but you would still need to vacuum the rug frequently for the pet hair that becomes stuck.

CONCLUSION:

Braided rugs are a work of art, in style, and also have a huge lifespan. However, these rug require from dry cleaning and maintenance to look new and become durable. By proper care, spot cleaning through proper method and time to time cleaning of these ruge they can look fresh and new . Just remember, soft care, drying, and proper care are all fundamental. Or for house care tips, guides, and ways for maintaining your rugs, read further in our series.