How to Clean a Viscose Rug

Co-authored by Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Last Updated: March 29, 2019 References

Viscose rugs are an affordable alternative to natural silk rugs. These carpets are made of a material called rayon and differ from silk rugs in a variety of ways. The rug's fibers are more fragile and require specific care to keep them clean. If you follow the techniques correctly and use cleaning solutions made specifically to clean rayon, you can clean even the dirtiest viscose rug.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Doing a Simple Cleaning

1
Run your hand along the rug to get the direction of the nap. The nap or pile is the natural direction that the rug's fibers run. Running your hand across the surface of the rug will give you an indication to how the rug's fibers lay.^{[1]
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- Agitating the rug against the pile can loosen the rug's fibers and distort your rug.
2
Push a carpet sweeper in the direction of the nap. High power vacuum cleaners and vacuums with beater brushes can damage the fibers in a viscose rug. Instead, use a non-electrical rug or carpet sweeper and run it along the direction of the rug's nap or pile. This should lift up any remaining crumbs or dirt stuck in the rug.^{[2]
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- You can go over the rug several times if it's still dirty.
- You can find an inexpensive carpet sweeper at many department stores or online. If you don't have a carpet sweeper, you can use a soft broom, such as a window washing broom or hand broom.
- Keep in mind that viscose is not a strong material. It won't hold up well if you vacuum it often or put it in a high traffic area. When you need to clean it, don't scrub very hard or overwork the fibers.
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3
Sweep the fringes with a broom. Do not go over the fringes on the rug with a carpet sweeper or vacuum because you could detach the fringes from the rug. Instead, use a broom or brush and brush the dirt and debris from out of the fringes. Use a dustpan to collect and dispose of the leftover dust.^{[3]
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4
Use a mild dish soap to clean spills. Test the dish soap on a small part of the rug before using it. If you notice discoloration or staining, don't use it. If there is a larger area that you need to clean, mild dish soap and water is a good solution. Saturate a rag with cold water and a drop of pH neutral dish soap, then rub the rag in the direction of the nap. When you're done, blot over the area with a dry rag until it's dry.^{[4]
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- Do not use detergents because they can stain and alter the color in your rug.
5
Spot clean with white vinegar, water, and dish soap. Cleaning spills as soon as they happen will cut down on the size and severity of the stain. For especially tough stains, try spot cleaning the area with a mixture of water, white vinegar, and mild dish soap. Mix the solution together and skim the bubbles on the top of the solution with a rag. Use the rag with the bubbles on it to wipe down the stain then immediately remove the solution with a clean, damp rag.^{[5]
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- Do not oversaturate the rag in the solution or you may damage your rug.
- As an alternative to a vinegar solution, a citric acid solution will also treat stains. Since water can yellow your viscose fibers, you might prefer to use a specialized citric acid solution that won't yellow your viscose.
- You can also spray a fabric softener on the rug after spot cleaning it to keep it soft. When you use fabric softener, put it in a spray bottle, then dilute it with water. Spray a little bit of fabric softener onto the rug. Next, use a soft bristle brush to hand groom the rug, brushing it in the direction of the grain.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using a Carpet Cleaning Machine and Solution

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Limit how often you machine clean your rug. Viscose is a weak material, so it can easily get damaged. Using a machine to clean your rug increases the risk of damage, so only do it when the rug is very dirty. It's best to maintain the cleanliness of the rug so you don't have to deep clean it.
2
Secure the carpet or rug to the floor or a flat surface. Use clamps to secure the carpet to a flat surface, or put the carpet on a mounting board so that it doesn't move around as you clean. You can purchase a mounting board at most rug stores or online.^{[6]
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3
Rent or purchase a carpet cleaning machine. You can rent or purchase a carpet cleaning or rug cleaning machine at major home improvement or department stores. These machines come with a hose and cleaning nozzle that transfers and vacuums cleaning solution on your carpet. Rent a machine that uses cold water, because hot water can damage viscose rugs.
4
Mix carpet cleaning chemicals with water to create a cleaning solution. You can find anionic detergents or other cleaners made specifically for viscose rugs online or at rug stores. Purchase cleaning chemicals that are made specifically for viscose and read the instructions on the back. Mix the cleaning chemicals with cold water in a bucket before transferring the solution to the basin in your carpet cleaning machine.^{[7]
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- Hot water can shrink your rug.
- When you're finished combining the chemicals, make sure to mix them together so that they become well incorporated.
5
Drag the head of the carpet cleaning machine across the carpet. Pull the trigger on the head of the carpet cleaning machine to eject the cleaning solution into the carpet. Make sure that you go with the nap so that you don't displace any of the fibers of the rug. The dirt and grime in the rug should start coming up.^{[8]
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- Make sure that you get a carpet cleaner that can wash rugs with cold water, so that you don't shrink your rug.
6
Use the carpet cleaner to vacuum up the solution. Once you've run the carpet cleaner from one end of the rug to the other, go down the same path but this time with only the vacuum running. This should suck up all of the dirty water and dirt from your carpet.^{[9]
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7
Repeat the steps until the entire carpet is cleaned. Continue to go up and down the carpet with the cleaning solution and carpet cleaner until the entirety of the carpet is cleaned.
8
Hang the carpet to dry. Flip the carpet over and hang it on a railing to let it to air dry. Do not apply direct heat to the carpet or you could damage it.^{[10]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Keeping the Rug Clean

1
Get your carpet professionally cleaned if it's in poor condition. Viscose rugs are fragile and can be discolored or destroyed very easily. If you own a viscose rug that is important to you personally, consider getting it professionally cleaned rather than doing it yourself. This will ensure that your rug won't be damaged.^{[11]
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- Professional carpet cleaners will have the chemicals and tools to clean your viscose carpet.
2
Blot spills as soon as they happen. Use a clean rag or paper towel and blot over the surface of the spill. The faster you're able to blot stains, the less time they will have to seep into the fibers of the carpet. Do not rub or agitate the stain, or you may push the liquid deeper into the carpet.^{[12]
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3
Keep your rug out of damp areas. When viscose rugs are exposed to dampness for a long period, they are easily destroyed. Avoid putting viscose rugs in places like the basement, bathroom, or outside, where they could be exposed to a lot of moisture.^{[13]
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Expert Q&A
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Question

Should I Scotchgard a new viscose rug?

Michelle Driscoll, MPH
Founder, Mulberry Maids
Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Founder, Mulberry Maids

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

No, you shouldn't use Scotchgard on a viscose rug. Scotchgard isn't for use on S coded fabrics, which include viscose, silk, rayon, and polyester.