How to Clean a Shag Rug:
11 Easy Methods

Shag rugs never seem to go out of style. They can add value to any room in a home, ranging from the centerpiece of a living room to an area rug in a teen boy or girl’s room.

While their texture may seem intimidating to clean, it’s easier than you think. If you don’t know how to clean a shag rug, you’re in luck. The process is simple, and there are plenty of cleaning options to choose from that will keep your shag rug looking its best.

If you know how to clean carpets, you might already be acquainted with some of these tips. However, shag rugs have their own specific needs when it comes to cleaning and maintenance, so it’s important to review cleaning methods before tackling a stain or deep clean project. Here are 11 simple methods for getting rid of dirt, dust and stains on shag rugs.

1. Vacuum Regularly

Vacuuming your shag rug once or twice a week will help keep dirt and hair at bay between cleanings. This is especially important if you’re allergic to dust or pet dander since shag rugs can trap allergens. 

The difficulty with vacuuming is that the vacuum will want to suck up the rug’s fibers the same way it does the dirt and dust. As a result, you need to use a specific vacuum—and use the vacuum in a specific way. An adjustable vacuum with a high-pile attachment will glide smoothly over the fibers, protecting both the rug and the vacuum.

What you’ll need:

• A vacuum, preferably one with strong suction and an adjustable head, so the vacuum doesn’t get stuck when trying to get the dirt out of the long fibers
• A high-pile attachment

What to do:

1.  First, shake the rug out to remove dirt that isn't stuck within the fibers.
2.  Vacuum the rug using a high-pile attachment (if you don’t have one, vacuum the backside to loosen the dirt).
3.  If you vacuum the backside, pick up the rug (depending on the rug size) and sweep the floor to get rid of loose dirt.

2. Clean Stains Before They Set

If you spill liquid on your shag rug, there’s no need to panic! In most cases, you can stop the stain from setting by gently blotting it with a microfiber cloth or paper towel. For slightly larger spills, continue blotting with the damp rag after rinsing it out. Be sure not to scrub a stain. You’ll only rub the stain in further and risk damaging the rug’s fibers.

If possible, you should always strive to address the stain before it sets. Once a stain sets, it becomes much more difficult and time-consuming to remove. You’ll likely need to apply bleach and run it through a laundry cycle.

What you’ll need:

• A microfiber cloth or paper towel
• A damp rag (for larger stains)

What to do:

1.  Blot the stain or spill with the cloth, paper towel or rag, being careful not to scrub the stain further into the rug.
   
   

3. Spot Clean

Mud stains, red wine spills and nail polish stains are all too common on shag rugs—and vacuuming won’t help you get rid of these blemishes. Spot cleaning is an effective way to remove stains before they permanently make their mark on your rug. 

If you notice a stain or spill on your rug, spot cleaning it as soon as possible can help prevent permanent damage. For liquid stains, mix warm water and mild dish soap in a bowl, dip a white or light-colored cloth in the mixture and apply it to the area.  For dry, solid stains, use a flat object to gently scrape off as much of the stain from the fibers as possible before getting it wet. Skipping this step can result in making the stain worse by spreading it around.

What you’ll need:

• Warm water
• Mild dish soap
• A paper towel
• Baking soda
• A vacuum

What to do:

1.  As soon as you’re able, dab the water and dish soap solution directly on the stain with a paper towel, ensuring you don't spread it around on the rug.
2.  Using a dry paper towel, blot the area until it is completely dry.
3.  Sprinkle baking soda over the spot and let it sit for about 30 minutes.
4.  Vacuum up the baking soda.
   

4. Beat It and Shake It Out

It’s always a good idea to shake out your rug every once in a while, especially if it’s made of wool. Wool shag rugs act as passive air filters by collecting dust and allergens floating around your room—a great feature for allergy sufferers—but an important reason to clean them. 

For large shag rugs that see a lot of foot traffic, you might need to beat them with a broom to break up deeply embedded dirt and debris. Doing this regularly will make the rest of the cleaning process much easier, and it will keep your rug looking fresh. Just remember to do it outside!

What you’ll need:

• A broom
• A clothesline (or a sturdy drying rack)

What to do:

1.  Hang up the rug on a clothesline outdoors or in a place where flying dirt and dust won’t land on other furniture.
2.  Beat the rug from behind with the broom to expel and loosen dirt from the fibers.
3.  Shake out the rug to get rid of lingering dirt.

5. Hand Wash

If your shag rug is severely stained and isn’t labeled dry clean only, you might need to hand wash it in water after you vacuum it. This generally works best for smaller rugs since you’ll need to fully submerge it. You’ll want to check the label first to make sure that it can handle gentle detergents. 

When you’re ready to start, fill a bathtub with warm water and mix in a mild detergent that is safe for your type of shag rug. Fully submerge the rug and let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes, then gently rub out the stains with your hands or a brush with soft bristles. Be careful not to scrub too hard! When you’re done, gently compress the fibers to push out as much water as possible and hang up the rug to air dry.

What you’ll need:

• A bathtub
• A mild detergent
• Carpet brush
• A clothesline or other area for the rug to dry

What to do:

1.  Check the rug’s label to make sure it can handle mild detergents.
2.  Shake out or vacuum the rug to get rid of lingering dirt.
3.  Submerge the rug in a bathtub filled with warm water.
4.  Mix in the mild detergent.
5.  Let the rug soak for 10 to 15 minutes.
6.  Take the rug out of the bathtub and gently rub the stains with a carpet brush.
7.  Let the rug dry on a clothesline.
   

6. Machine Wash

Throwing your shag rug in the washing machine is by far the easiest and quickest way to clean your rug. Unfortunately, not all shag rugs are machine-washable and could be destroyed beyond repair if you do this without checking the label first.

Remember, machine-washable rugs aren’t always dryer-safe! Always double-check if your shag rug is dryer-safe before putting it in the dryer.

What you’ll need:

• Washing machine
• Dryer (if the rug is dryer-safe)
• Clothesline (if air drying)

What to do:

1.  Check if your shag rug is machine-washable.
2.  Wash the rug on a gentle cycle with cold water.
3.  Tumble dry on a low setting (if dryer-safe) or hang to air dry.

7. Dry Carpet Shampoo

If your rug is still a little musty after you vacuum or shake it out, using dry carpet shampoo can give it a refresh. This method is super quick and easy, and it’s especially helpful with shag rugs. Simply sprinkle the dry shampoo evenly across the rug, allow it to sit for the amount of time specified on the box, and vacuum it up when you're done.

What you’ll need:

• Dry carpet shampoo
• Carpet brush
• A vacuum
• A high-pile attachment

What to do:

1.  Sprinkle the rug all over with dry shampoo.
2.  Using a carpet brush, work the shampoo into the fibers of the rug.
3.  Let the dry shampoo set for the amount of time specified on the box.
4.  Vacuum up the shampoo.

8. Steam Clean

If you’re wondering how to clean a shag area rug, a steam cleaner might be the right tool for you. Steam cleaners are great for getting stains out of extremely dirty rugs that are too big to soak. Unlike carpet cleaners, which use suction and scrubbing motions, steam cleaners use hot steam to loosen embedded dirt. This is much a gentler process and protects shaggy fibers from damage. Plus, you can clean your shag rug much more deeply this way.

What you’ll need:

• A steam cleaner
• A vacuum
• A high-pile attachment
• A tarp
• Warm water
• Rug cleaner

What to do:

1.  Lay your rug out on a tarp.
2.  Vacuum it with a high-pile attachment.
3.  Add warm water and rug cleaner to the steam cleaner.
4.  Run the steam cleaner over the rug.
5.  Allow the rug to air dry.

9. Sunbathing

Sunlight can damage sheepskin rugs, but it’s your best friend if your shag rug is made from other materials. Allowing your rug to hang in the sun for a few hours can naturally get rid of odors and kill bacteria. But be careful not to leave it out for long since too much time in the sun can cause colors to fade.

What you’ll need:

• A sunny day!

What to do:

1.  On a sunny day, lay out your rug in direct sunlight from noon to around 4 p.m., when the sun is at its peak.

10. Go Natural

There are plenty of cleaning solutions that you probably already have in your kitchen. For spot cleaning, mix equal parts vinegar and water together instead of water and dish soap. You can also use homemade or eco-friendly dish soap to avoid harsh chemicals.

You can use baking soda on sheepskin and other delicate shag rugs to eliminate odors and keep them fresh. Simply sprinkle the baking soda over the rug, gently work it into the fibers and let it sit overnight. The next morning, use a hand vacuum or shake out the rug to get rid of the excess baking soda.

What you’ll need:

• Vinegar (for spot cleaning)
• Water (for spot cleaning)
• Dish soap (for spot cleaning)
• A paper towel or rag (for spot cleaning)
• Baking soda (for cleaning a larger area)
• A hand vacuum (for cleaning a larger area)
• A broom (optional)

What to do:

Spot cleaning:

1.  Mix equal parts water and vinegar. If you don’t have vinegar, mix water and dish soap instead.
2.  Dab the mixture on the stained spots of the rug with a paper towel or rag.
3.  Let the damp area air dry.

Cleaning larger areas:

1.  Sprinkle baking soda into the rug and use your hands to work it deep into the fibers.
2.  Let the baking soda sit overnight.
3.  Use a hand vacuum to get excess baking soda out of the deep fibers of the rug and then beat it with a broom to get any lingering baking soda out.

11. Consult a Professional

If your rug is too dirty to clean yourself or you’re unsure which method is safest, consider taking it to a rug cleaning service. Professional rug cleaners have special tools that can get rid of most stains, and they will know what method is best for your rug.

Whether you’re shopping for a new rug to refresh your room or looking to maintain your current one, knowing how to properly take care of a shag rug will save you a lot of hassle in the long run.