The Right Way To Clean Faux Fur Rugs

Faux rugs are a simple yet stylish addition to any room, adding both texture and a cozy ambiance. While these floor coverings are certainly on trend, maintaining and caring for them can get exhausting. After all, the thick fibers and faux fur pull in dirt and grime, and if your piece has white in it, you may notice discolored shades or even black marks around the rug. This shouldn't mean you start searching the internet or home stores for a replacement, though. 

You can clean your faux fur rugs either in the washing machine or by hand to get them as bright as new. You may need to use specialized washing powders and gentle cycles to get the job done, but you can clean your floor coverings at home without spending a fortune. It's always a good idea to spot-treat your faux fur rugs before really getting into the heavy-duty options. Spot treating is a game-changing tip to keep your rugs pristine. For this, mix dish soap with warm water and use a cloth or towel to dab at the spot. If the rug is sudsy from the soap mixture, use a clean cloth and water to remove excess soap. 

You could also try scrubbing at any dirty spots with a bristle brush, which could help get tougher stains out of the long fibers. Many people use one for cleaning wool rugs, but it can also work with faux fur. The water should also not be too hot, as this can negatively affect the faux fur. Don't use abrasive products like bleach, which can also ruin your fibers.

If your rug is too dirty for spot treatments, it may be time to consider using your washing machine. Much like washing a faux fur blanket, your washing machine cycle should be on either hand washing or delicates. A biological detergent, like Tide, can help clean and protect the fibers thanks to the enzymes found in the product.  

Again, don't add bleach or fabric softener to your cycle, and ensure the water temperature is set to cold. Allow the rug to go through the cycle, then remove it and find a place where you can either hang dry it or lay it flat to dry. It's not recommended to put it in the dryer as this could mat the faux fur. Once it has fully dried, you can fluff the fibers by hand as needed.

Your third option is to hand wash your faux fur rugs, but this will require more elbow grease, especially when it comes to ringing out the excess water. Use cool water and biological detergent, same as with the washing machine cycle, and wash your rug inside a large bucket, tub, or basin. Use your hands to agitate the rug and use a bristled brush to scrub stains. You don't want to soak or submerge your rug for extended amounts of time in water, as this could damage the material. Once you've scrubbed the faux fur, make sure to thoroughly rinse out all the soap, wring out all the water you can, and hang dry. You'll have a fresh, clean, gorgeous faux fur rug ready to warm your floors.