Polypropylene is a good material for rugs. It belongs to the category of polyolefins, crystalline and non-polar. The properties of polypropylene make it harder than other usual rugs. Thus, the rug lasts long and gives a majestic look to your household. Polypropylene rugs are usually very easy to clean. They rarely get damaged by any substances. Every different type of rug has other methods of cleaning. However, you always need a clean and maintenance guide to follow.
Tips to Clean & Maintain Polypropylene Rugs
1. Vacuum Your Rug Frequently
Regardless of the type of rug, regular vacuuming is always worthwhile. It can keep the dust away from the carpet, make it look clean, and prolong the carpet’s life. Polypropylene rugs are inherently dust resistant.
If you vacuum regularly, there will be less need for any other cleaning method. It is recommended to vacuum your polypropylene rug at least once a week. Do not vacuum when your rug is wet as it might cause irreversible damage.
2. Spot Cleaning Rug Stains
Any stain on your rug needs immediate attention. If the stain is dry, you can vacuum the dirt out. Stains like spills, mud, or paint need extra care. Take a hot water-dipped towel to remove the stain as much as possible.
If the stain still looks visible, take your rug for a complete wash. You can also use a sponge, scrubbing paper, liquid soap, etc., to remove the stains.
3. Use Water and Bleach Solution
Bleach can be harmful to most types of rugs. However, it is completely fine to use bleach to clean polypropylene rugs.
Make a mixture of 50% water and 50% bleach and spray the solution around the rug.
You can use a brush to rub the stain areas.
At last, rinse water thoroughly and prepare the carpet for drying.
Do not forget to wear gloves while cleaning polypropylene rugs with bleach
4. Dry Cleaning for Oil and Grease Stains
Oil and grease-based stains tend to sit longer on a polypropylene rug. These types of stains should be removed immediately. We recommend you use a dry cleaning process first. Do not wash your polypropylene rug with water.
The oil is likely to spread more when it comes close to water. The dry cleaning method is similar to other mats. Sprinkle some dry cleaning powder around the stains. You can also use baking soda and vinegar mixture. Scrub the powder with a brush and vacuum it when the powder has dried.
5. Steam Clean Polypropylene Rugs
If your rug is large and you do not have space for washing your carpet, consider steam cleaning. Polypropylene melts at a temperature of 160-degree celsius. You can steam clean your rug keeping the temperature below the melting point.
Polypropylene rugs are also known for their higher flammability. The carpet can spread chlorinated solvents, which are harmful to health. Hence, you need to take extra precautions while steam cleaning polypropylene rugs.
6. Wash Your Rug with a Garden Hose
The best part of owning polypropylene rugs is that you do not have to invest a lot to clean and maintain your rug.
It is better to dry your rug as soon as possible after washing.
It’s perfect for cleaning carpets outside, where you can quickly spray them down and lay them flat to dry.
Choose a sunny day for this activity.
7. Use Low-Heat Drying Methods
Heat can damage polypropylene rugs. Polypropylene rugs are made of synthetic/ plastic fibers. They can only adjust with heat up to a certain level. Do not use tools like a hairdryer to get your rug dry.
It will damage the fiber, and the carpet might melt. It would be best to allow your rug to dry under natural air or sunlight instead. Turn the sides of your carpets a few times to ensure that both parts dry equally.
8. Prevent Unusual Chemical Odor
Polypropylene rugs can sometimes smell strange due to the chemicals inside them. The smell may stop after you use it for a while. The odor from the polypropylene rug is not only odd; it is also harmful to inhale.
The smell can increase the pollution level of your room. You can spray a chemical smell neutralizer to eliminate such a smell.
9. Use Ice Treatment for Wax Stain
Wax may look like a complex substance to remove from your rug. The wax needs to be hard before you attempt to remove it. Take a plastic bag, fill the bag with ice, put the bag directly onto the stain, and let the wax freeze properly first.
Then, take a knife to remove the scrape of the wax from the carpet. Continue the process until the wax has been thoroughly soaked up.
10. Take Preventive Measures
Prevention is always better than cure. If you take care of your rug from the beginning, you do not need to often go through the washing process. Here we will list down a few preventive measures for your polypropylene rug.
- Keep the density of foot steps-low
- Clean the filters of air-conditioning systems regularly
- Take the rug outside and shake it regularly to get rid of dust
- Get the carpet covered with extra cloth or paper while eating on it
- Follow manufacturer guides with special instructions
- Call a professional to clean your rug if needed
Conclusion
You do not have to stress cleaning polypropylene rugs like other fabric rugs. The cases of commercial space rugs are different. It is not easy to clean large rugs. Rugs that cover high-density places get dirty too often. If you don’t have the space to clean carpets and dry, we always recommend getting a professional cleaning service. Besides that, we believe our tips can be convenient for basic cleaning and maintenance purposes.
