How To Clean Rugs With A Pressure Washer

Area rugs and carpets in your home are great solutions for adding some warmth and comfort to your home. However, they can get quite dirty and can be a pain to clean. Cleaning rugs with a power washer is a great option to clean a dirty rug without damaging it.

When the time comes to clean your rug, it is important to make sure your rug is the correct type before cleaning. This type of cleaning works great but for expensive or old rugs, it may be best to get it cleaned by professionals. Since most rugs are not small enough to put into your washing machine and dryer, using a pressure washer is a great option to do it yourself.

Regular vacuuming can help keep your rugs looking good longer between cleanings but most vacuums struggle to get the dirt deep within the pile of the rug. A stain spot remover may also keep your rug looking good for the occasional surface level spill that happens. Power washing a rug is the only way to get a deep clean that can help bring back the rug to its original look. Below we will cover the steps to use a power washer to clean your rug on your own.

How A Power Washer Cleans A Rug

Power washers use high-pressure water to clean surfaces. The amount of pressure from the machine and the tip used can control the cleaning power. It is important to use a fairly low-pressure tip when cleaning a rug because a high powered stream will damage the rug instead of cleaning it.

By using a 25, or 40-degree tip, you can ensure you have plenty of cleaning power to clean your rug. Make sure to start with distance and then get closer to the rug to ensure you don’t damage the rug. You will want your wand to be a few feet away from the rug to ensure there is no damage. The closer your tip is to the rig the more powerful the water will be.

Adding a little detergent to your pressure washer basin can help wash the rug and loosen some of the dirt and grime as well. If your pressure washer has a detergent option you can use that, or add it to a bucket and use a brush to rub in the soap into your rug.

Steps To Take To Not Damage Your Carpet Rug

This type of cleaning can be very effective but some caution needs to be taken for your particular rug or carpet. Here are a few tips to keep in mind before you start pressure washing your rug. 

1. Location – Pick a place that is fairly clean to place your rug. A patio or driveway outside with good drainage is a great place to start. Make sure the rug can lay flat on the ground. Outdoor cleaning is the only place to clean your rug. 
2. Pressure Washer – Almost any pressure washer will work, the important selection is the type of tip you use. Don’t use a tip that is too powerful. Start with a lower power tip, and a wider spray pattern. Don’t hold the wand tip too close to start but work from a distance and move closer to prevent damaging the rug right away. Don’t use hot water to clean your rug.1600 to 1800 PSI pressure washer is plenty strong enough for this job.
3. Detergent & Brush – Check the type of fabric your rug is made of and make sure your detergent is safe for that fabric. You can use a gel stain remover or some carpet cleaner, and rub a small amount into the stained areas with a soft bristle or cotton brush. 

Potential Detergents For Washing Your Rugs

Here are a few of our favorite cleaning detergents for washing your rug:

• OxyClean Carpet & Area Rug Stain Remover
• Folex Carpet Spot Cleaner
• Biokleen Bac-Out Enzyme Stain Remover

Preparing The Carpet For Washing

On a nice day with some sun in the forecast, you can start to prep the cleaning of your rug. A good idea is to vacuum your rug before you take it out of your house. Getting rid of any of the loose dirt is just a little less you will be spraying out. 

Lay the rug out flat on a solid surface you can stand over to spray with the pressure washer. Prep some of the tough stains with your chosen stain remover. Scrub or rub in the liquid detergent if the rug is needed for a deep clean.

Step By Step Instructions To Power Wash A Rug

1. Lay Out Your Rug – As mentioned previously, layout the rug flat on the cleanest outdoor surface you can have.
2. Stain Treatment – Start by treating the largest stains that might need a little more elbow grease.
3. Set Up Your Pressure Washer – Hook up the hose to your pressure washer and turn that on. Go through your startup process for your power washer. Attach your least powerful tip to start with.
4. Clean Your Rug – Use your pressure washer in a sweeping motion to blast the dirt out of the fibers deep in your rug. Try and work in one direction so the dirt is moved out and off of the rug.
5. Flip Your Rug – It can be a good idea to flip your rug over and give the back a single pass and clean it quickly.
6. Wash The Rug – Flip the rug to the right side up, you can try to put on a more powerful tip and give it another wash. This will help get the remaining dirt out of the rug. Make sure to keep your distance at first to not damage the fibers.
7. Turn Off Power Washer – Now that the carpet is clean, turn off and put away your pressure washer. Putting it away correctly will make it easier to use again in the future.
8. Drying Your Carpet After Washing – It is important to keep your rug laid out flat as it dries so it doesn’t create a crease. Give it plenty of time to dry before moving the carpet back into your house. Try to find a sunny place for final drying.

Cleaning a carpet rug with a pressure washer is not a complicated process with a few tips and care prior to cleaning. Get your favorite rug looking brand new again and back in your home. You can be proud knowing that you have cleaned your rug and added more life to some part of your home.

Pressure washers are a great tool for keeping your home clean and looking new. These tips are just some that are used for an item that is in the house. Use that pressure washer you got for your car, or siding, or deck, and clean your carpets.