Rubber-backed rugs, especially large rubber-backed rugs, are now incredibly commonplace in UK homes and homes around the world alike.

Used in a variety of locations, bathrooms and kitchens being the main example, more and more are entering the market and being purchased by people looking to improve the look and feel of their homes.

But how do you go about cleaning them?

In this article we will take you through what you need to clean your large rubber-backed rugs, how you can go about cleaning rubber-backed rugs.

We’ll also give you some specific information on how to clean your rug’s rubber backing and answer some frequently asked questions we get from customers too.

This really is the “all you need to know” guide for cleaning large rubber-backed rugs with minimal hassle!

And if you want to know how to clean rubber liforme yoga mats, then check out this amazing post from yogic-experience.

Supplies Needed to Clean Large Rubber-Backed Rugs

Whilst lists like these can often be daunting, and sometimes expensive, the items needed to successfully clean large rubber-backed rugs is minimal and will not cost too much at all.

Here’s all you need!

Baking Soda

Baking soda is a natural abrasive, making it great for cleaning a large variety of rugs, no matter what pile height or material they are made from.

Due to the fact that baking soda is highly abrasive, you will find that it helps scrub away the dirt and grime from your rug prior to going over it with a vacuum.

A Vacuum

Speaking of vacuums, a staple of the home, this is going to be used to lift the baking soda and the excess dirt and grime from your rug once you have given the baking soda time to do its work.

A Hard-Bristle Brush or a Toothbrush

In a similar vain to baking soda, a hard-bristle brush or a toothbrush is the next thing you need to clean rubber-backed rugs as the will help loosen and lift the dirt and grime that your layer of baking soda failed to remove.

Soap (Lanolin-Free)

The final thing you are going to need to clean your large rubber-backed rugs successfully is a soap.

Please ensure you purchase a soap that is lanolin-free if you do not have this readily available within your home.

Lanolin is a lubricant, which means (in some cases) the colour from your rug can be lifted from the fibres. If you have a rug that is a very bright and vibrant colour, ensuring you have lanolin-free soap is crucial.

Cleaning Rubber-Backed Rugs - Instructions

We’re going to, right now, get into the steps you need to take in order to properly clean your large rubber-backed rugs.

1) Shake the Rug (Outside)

The first thing you need to do with your rubber-backed rug, as you should be doing with all rugs you clean, is giving it a good shake outside.

What this does is allow for larger dust and dirt particles that are not “trapped” inside the rug to free, and they will be dispersed into the open air. Leaving an immediately ‘cleaner’ feeling rug than before you started to shake it.

2) Add a Sprinkle of Baking Soda

Once you have finished shaking your rug, bring it back inside and add a generous layer of baking soda on top of the rug.

We mentioned earlier that baking soda is a natural abrasive which means it will begin work in dislodging larger dust and dirt particles from your rug.

3) Vacuum the Baking Soda Off the Rug

Once you have allowed the baking soda, currently sat on top of your rug, do its work for around 15 minutes, it is time to bring out the vacuum cleaner to remove it, and the dirt that has come up with it.

Please remember to NOT use a beater-bar attachment on your vacuum when you are going over your rubber-backed rug. This could cause damage to your rug as the beater-bar has the capacity to pull fibres away from the rug.

4) Can I Use a Washing Machine?

You should have no issue using a washing machine to wash your rubber-backed rug, but please remember to check the labels on your rug as some are not suitable for use in a washing machine.

We would recommend, if your rug allows it, for you to wash your rubber-backed rug in a washing machine at least every three months. This will allow you to keep the rug clean without causing any unnecessary wear and tear to your rug.

5) Dry the Rubber-Backed Rug

Never leave your rug to dry by laying it back down on the floor it is usually sat on. Once you have finished cleaning your large rubber-backed rug, ensure you give it enough time to properly air dry.

Leave your rug outside, in direct sunlight until the rug is completely dry. Then you can bring it inside and place it back on your floor without risking any slippage or excess damage from feet or furniture being placed on wet fibres.

Cleaning Your Rug’s Rubber Backing

Cleaning your rug’s rubber backing, luckily, is very easy to clean and you only need to clean it for a few minutes every other week.

Here are the steps for cleaning your rug’s rubber backing:

1. Ensure you start by wiping the rug’s rubber backing with a wet cloth and wipe away all of the dust stains. This first step is crucial.

2. Apply a few drops of your lanolin-free soap to the backing of your rug. Please ensure the soap you are using is lanolin-free as any soap that has lanolin as an active ingredient and will stick to the rug’s rubber backing.

3. Once you have applied a few drops of your lanolin-free soap, now it is time to break out your hard-bristle brush or toothbrush and scrub away the hard to beat stains using the combination of soap and water to your advantage.

4. Apply some clean water to the rubber backing of your rug to wash away the excess soap, leave the rug to air dry and then place back down on your floor.

Now you are ready to clean large rubber-backed rugs with ease!

Follow the steps outlined within this blog guide and you will be able to keep your large rubber-backed rugs in better condition.

Cleaning large rubber-backed rugs is not that complicated at all once you know what you are doing!