How to Clean an Area Rug on a Hardwood Floor

Area rugs on hardwood floors look great — but cleaning them takes a little more care than wall-to-wall carpet. Water that soaks through a rug can damage the floor's finish, and dyes from a damp rug can transfer onto the wood. Here's how to keep both looking good.

Regular care

• Vacuum both sides. Vacuum the top weekly, and flip the rug to vacuum the back every month or two — grit works through and scratches the floor underneath.
• Skip the beater bar on fringe and delicate rugs. Use suction only, and vacuum fringe gently from the rug outward.
• Use a good rug pad. It stops slipping, adds cushion, and protects the floor finish from the rug's backing.
• Rotate the rug every few months so sun and traffic wear evenly.

Spot cleaning without hurting the floor

1. Slide a towel (or a plastic sheet with a towel on top) under the spot before you start.
2. Blot the spill with a white cloth.
3. Use a small amount of mild detergent solution — about ¼ teaspoon clear dish liquid in a cup of lukewarm water — and blot, don't scrub.
4. Rinse by blotting with a cloth dampened in plain water.
5. Press dry with towels, then prop the rug up or keep the towel under it until it's completely dry before laying it flat on the wood.

What to avoid

• Soaking the rug where it lies — moisture under a rug dries slowly and can cloud or warp a hardwood finish.
• Putting a damp rug back down on hardwood.
• Harsh or alkaline cleaners on wool rugs (more on that in our upcoming wool rug guide).

Deep cleaning

For a full cleaning, the rug needs a thorough rinse and strong extraction so it doesn't stay wet. We clean rugs in place — even over hardwood — using a protective tarp underneath. If a rug needs a full soak, it may need a place to dry before it goes back down.

Our customers notice the care: one wrote that we were "careful not to damage my wood floors (even brought in their own rug so they wouldn't scratch or dirty them)." Area rug cleaning is $50–$100 per rug depending on size and condition. See area rug cleaning or read our rug maintenance tips.