FAQs About Cleaning Carpet Runners

Carpet runners help you cut down on dirt and wear on flooring in high traffic areas. Because they get so much use, carpet runners also get dirty very quickly. How can these runners get cleaned quickly and easily?

Q: What is the best way to spot clean a runner?

A: Various spot cleaning products are on the market and all of them work quite well. Vacuum up loose soil, and blot wet stains before applying any product to the stain. Follow the instructions on the bottle closely. Generally, you should spray the stain with the cleaner. After the cleaner has had a chance to penetrate the stain, blot the stain with a damp cloth until the spot disappears. If necessary, repeat the cleaning process until the stain is gone.

Q: How are high traffic areas and ground-in soil best cleaned?

A: The purpose of a carpet runner is to bear the brunt of flooring wear, so ground-in soil is inevitable. A variety of large-area sprays and powders are available on the market. Apply sprays to the entire rug and gently rub them into the rug with a damp mop. Sprinkle and brush powder into the pile of the rug. Once the rug dries completely, vacuum the rug to remove the cleaner and the soil.

Q: What are the best homemade cleaners for carpet runners?

A: Baking soda is a good deodorizer. Sprinkle it on the carpet, allow it to sit for an hour or so, then vacuum the powder up. A paste of baking soda and lemon juice works to spot clean the carpet as well. Rub the paste into the stains, allow the paste to dissolve the stain, and then blot the area until the stain disappears.