Since you are reading this article, I’m guessing you’ve purchased a really cool looking designer shag area rug. Whether synthetic or wool, as you may have already figured out the maintenance will require more effort than the typical area rug (to say the least).
Long shag rugs are hoarders. The longer the shag, the more the rug will hoard all of the treasurers it has inherited. What settles on them is likely to be grabbed and gobbled up by the rug. Nothing is safe! When Arizona Oriental cleans rugs we find all kinds of things such as bobby pins, crackers, coins, small Legos, Barbie doll shoes – I’m sure you get the picture. If you own a shag, this is a bit like singing to the choir, you already know how good shags are at hiding stuff.
So how do you care for this beast of a rug? While there’s no easy answer outside of saying roll it up and drop it off at our facility at Arizona Oriental located at 565 EZ Street here in Prescott AZ, I’ll try to make the process less intimidating. First thing to note is that you really can’t vacuum a shag rug, but you can “dust” with success. Gather your family members and take your rug to the backyard. With their help, shake vigorously to dislodge whatever your rug is willing to give up. Keep shaking until you see nothing more shaking out.
If you are good about frequent “shaking outs” you’ll stay one step ahead and your rug will last longer because along with the bobby pins and crackers you will also be shaking out dry soil. Dry soil is the sand brought in on shoes which is very abrasive and grinds on rug fibers, robbing the beauty of the rug sooner than a rug that is regularly dusted.
Step 2 is to turn the rug face up and use a small shop vac (test the suction to make sure it’s not too strong for your rug’s fiber). Some rugs are more delicate than others, so be careful! Run the shop vacuum hose across the rug, row by row.
If your rug is like a sheep, you can try a dog grooming brush. Don’t use a fine toothed brush as you’ll need one that has a wide tooth design to help get the job done. This method is NOT recommended for the silky synthetic fibers because there is a good chance a dog grooming brush will damage the fibers.
Ultimately these rugs are high maintenance in addition to the ongoing care you’ll have to do, you should expect it will require more frequent professional cleanings too. Hope the above tips are helpful to you.
Till next time, enjoy the beautiful art for your floor and remember a clean rug will certainly perform and last longer than a neglected soiled rug.
Arizona Oriental & Specialty Rug Care serves Prescott, Prescott Valley, Sedona and much of the Northern Arizona areas. We meet the highest standards in professional cleaning of area rugs with our rug wash specialists’ team having earned the highest training, which includes certification as WOOLSAFE FIBRE CARE SPECIALISTS through the WOOLSAFE ORGANISATION. Such extraordinary certification ensures the area rugs of our client’s receive the utmost in care.
If you have questions or need additional information on the proper way to vacuum a shag rug in Prescott AZ call Arizona Oriental today, we’re here to help you! We offer free quotes for either cleaning or repair at 928-445-1718, visit our website at www.ArizonaOriental.com, or stop by Monday through Friday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at our rug washing facility at 565 EZ Street, Prescott, AZ 86301 (pick-up and delivery also available).
