Is it possible to wash a carpet in a washing machine?

The question of whether to wash a carpet in a washing machine worries many housewives. It seems that there is nothing unusual in this procedure and washing is similar to cleaning shoes or a blanket in a drum. But this is far from true: in the case of rugs, complete washing of the base and pile, thorough cleaning and minimal spinning are necessary. Special industrial-type washing machines cope with this task, but household machines are less efficient.

But everything is not so categorical, and by acting competently, you can achieve an acceptable option. How to do this and whether it’s worth it – we’ll tell you below.

Should it be machine washed?

Before squeezing the mat into the drum, it is better to think about whether the game is worth the candle. We are talking about identifying the pros and cons of this cleaning method. The advantages - process automation and time saving - are quite controversial, since they are more than offset by the disadvantages.

1. The need for primary processing. The product should be thoroughly vacuumed, shaken out, and if there are stubborn stains, treated with a stain remover and soaked.
2. Inefficiency. Household washing machines are not capable of cleaning lint perfectly.
3. Damage to the machine. Sand and small stones in the carpet can damage the drum, and wool and hair can clog the drain and garbage filter. There is a high risk of exceeding the permissible load weight and imbalance due to the inflexibility of the web.
4. Damage to the product. Frequent washing of rubberized mats can severely damage their base.

Machine washable for fabric and PVC carpets. With some conditions, including comprehensive pre-treatment and permissible weight for a particular washer.It is recommended to pay special attention to the first point, which we will discuss in more detail later.

Primary carpet treatment

A machine will not replace hand washing with beating and thorough cleaning with a stiff brush. The machine can only rinse, wash and dry the fabric, so it is recommended to carry out initial processing before loading it into the drum. This is done as follows:

• all dust, small stones, wool and sand are removed using a vacuum cleaner;
• the mat is soaked in warm water for several hours;
• if there is a stubborn stain, you will have to treat the contaminated area with a suitable stain remover;
• A special vibration machine, which is designed to “knock out” dust microparticles, will not hurt;
• To remove unpleasant odors from pets, it is necessary to use special preparations.

At this point, you can complete the preparation for washing in the machine. Now we decide on a detergent suitable for the type of fiber and select the optimal mode. More on this below.

Washing synthetic rugs

Not all rugs can be loaded into the drum too often; some products can be washed without powder, while others cannot stand the spin cycle. Therefore, before starting the cycle and filling the dispenser, we understand the type of coating available.

PVC is the first among those carpets that can be washed in a washing machine. But only without using detergent. The optimal washing frequency is once a month, but some excess of the established “limit” is allowed. It is forbidden to wring out and dry: it is better to hang the mat on the crossbar after completing the cycle and change sides every five hours.

Important! You can dry it in another way: cover the mat with a dry towel of suitable size and roll it into a roll.

Microfiber products also require a special approach:

• do not wash with other laundry;
• do not add softening conditioners, stain removers, or bleaches to the dispenser;
• add an additional rinse mode.

As for the washing itself, for synthetic materials a manual or delicate program is selected. Instead of conditioner, add a few drops of essential oil. The temperature is adjustable within 40-60 degrees. If the temperature maximum is exceeded, the fiber structure can be damaged.

Caring for rubberized carpets

You should also be careful with rubber mats in the washing machine. First, select delicate or manual mode. Secondly, we limit the water heating temperature to 40 degrees. Thirdly, do not forget about the frequency of washing, which should be a maximum of once a month.

If the specified limit is exceeded, the product will deteriorate irrevocably, become deformed and crumble. If emergency washing is necessary, it is better to wash the stain by hand. Moreover, the instructions on how to wash a rubberized carpet with your own hands are extremely simple.

1. Prepare a soap solution.
2. Dip a clothes brush with soft bristles into it.
3. Carefully treat contaminated areas.
4. Leave for a few minutes for the dirt to come off.
5. Rinse the product under strong water pressure.

Machine washing is not a necessary step when cleaning bath mats. On the contrary, pre-treatment of the product by soaking slows down the process, and the risk of clogging the machine is extremely high. Therefore, we are not in a hurry to load the covering into the drum, but try to refresh the carpet ourselves.

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