While you might vacuum your rugs regularly, they are magnets for dust, germs, and dirt, and there are several habits you need to ditch that are making your rugs dirtier.
From wearing shoes indoors to mistreating houseplants, small lifestyle choices can lead to significant wear, lingering odors, and unhygienic fibers, not only impacting household hygiene but also limiting the rug’s lifespan.
If your rug always seems dirty, no matter how often you clean it, it’s time to look at what you might be doing wrong. Here, the experts reveal the seven bad home habits to ditch to save time on chores before you ruin your floors.
7 habits you need to ditch that are making your rugs dirty
Knowing how to clean an area rug is only part of the process of keeping floors sanitary. Avoiding build-up goes a long way in maintaining a thoroughly clean home, especially if you have to clean a carpet without a machine.
1. Wearing shoes indoors – even briefly
Shoes on vs. shoes off is one of the biggest debates between households. For professional cleaners, however, there is only one option – shoes off at the door and not a moment later.
Sofia Martinez, cleaning expert and CEO of Sparkly Maid Austin, begins, ‘Wearing shoes indoors, even just to "grab something real quick," is one of the worst habits making your floors dirty.'
‘We have witnessed it time and time again – shoes bring in all kinds of invisible nastiness: bacteria, pollen, tiny rocks, oils from sidewalks. And once that grit gets ground into rug fibers, especially in high-pile rugs and woven styles, it will break down the rug fibers over time and with use. A simple shoe-free rule, or at least offering guests clean socks or slippers [available in packs of six at Amazon], can significantly help you.’
When taking off all shoes at the door, it is important to implement some rules for an organized entryway. Having shoe storage cabinets, such as the Bay Isle 20-Pair Cabinet from Wayfair, is a great way to keep shoes off the floor. Need more space? Opting for a multi-functional storage bench from Target can keep clutter concealed while offering a space to sit while putting on and removing footwear.
2. Not vacuuming under rugs
One of the most common rug cleaning mistakes is not cleaning beneath a rug – a bad habit that makes your rug dirtier and reduces its lifespan.
Sofia continues, ‘Lifting and flipping rugs even once a month helps release packed-in debris that would otherwise just sit there and grind against your floors. I always recommend vacuuming high-traffic areas a couple times a week, especially if you have pets or a lot of movement through one space.’
Scott Schrader, cleaning expert at CottageCare, adds, ‘For daily housekeeping, I recommend a cordless vacuum with strong suction like a Shark Detect Pro, available at Amazon.’
3. Using the wrong rug for the wrong space
When choosing a rug, you need to think beyond the aesthetics and consider where it will live in your home. Neglecting to do so is a habit that makes your home harder to clean.
Taylor Riley, cleaning expert and partner at GermSmart Commercial Cleaning, explains, ‘For example, you don't want to use a high-pile or shag rug under the dinner table. Those long fibers trap crumbs, spills, and pet hair deep in the pile where regular vacuums can't reach. In places like dining tables or entryways, use something low-pile or best of all, an indoor/outdoor option like polypropylene rugs, which are much easier to clean.’
I personally use the flat-woven machine-washable rugs from Ruggable underneath my dining table and in my kitchen. They are easy to vacuum, and can be washed in any best washing machine for quick refreshes at home. I wouldn’t be without them!
4. Not using doormats
Jade Piper, cleaning expert and operations manager at BetterCleans, says, ‘Not putting an outdoor mat and only relying on indoor rugs or mats is a bad habit, making your indoor rugs dirtier, especially if you do opt to allow shoes indoors.
'The best doormats are supposed to act as the first line of defense, catching the worst of it before it hits your indoor floors. Without it, the indoor rug becomes the first and only place where that grime gets wiped off. I was a big fan of coir mats for a while since they’re stylish and pretty solid at catching mud and grit. But the problem is, once they get wet a few times, they start to get that weird, damp smell. They just don’t dry fast enough.
‘I found the OLANLY front door mat [available at Walmart] and haven’t looked back since. It’s way easier to clean a doormat, and it doesn’t get gross after a storm.’
5. Skipping deep cleans
Deep cleaning a carpet is one of the most tedious spring cleaning tasks, but it is essential if you want to keep your home hygienic and extend the lifespan of your floor coverings. If you are guilty of neglecting it, it’s time to start looking for ways to break bad home habits for long-term tidiness.
Taylor urges, ‘Don't skip deep cleans. As mentioned, vacuuming alone often doesn't cut it. Dirt, oils, and allergens get embedded into the rug backing where the vacuum can't reach. I recommend a quarterly deep clean using a carpet extractor [such as the top-rated Bissell Little Green HydroSteam Portable Deep Cleaner from Best Buy] or hot water rinse.’
Don’t have the space for one of the best carpet cleaning machines? You can achieve similar results with the best steam cleaners and steam mops. They do not pull dirt from fibers, but steam cleaning carpet can sanitize and loosen debris, making it easier to vacuum out without taking up as much home storage or blowing your budget.
We recommend the Black & Decker 7-in-1 steam mop from Walmart, which comes with a carpet glide attachment for easy cleaning.
6. Using the wrong products
It is all well and good to refresh your rugs regularly, but using the wrong products is a bad habit, rendering your effort pointless.
Taylor continues, ‘Similarly, don’t use the wrong cleaning solution on delicate rugs. Harsh chemicals or high-pH cleaners can bleach or fade colors and break down fibers on delicate rugs. For treating spills/stains, I recommend Folex Instant Carpet Spot Remover, available at Walmart. It's gentle but just as powerful as some of the commercial options.’ It can also help to make a rug smell nice.
You also want to avoid using too much product. Sofia adds, ‘It’s easy to panic when something spills, but dumping too much product can lead to soggy rug pads, moldy odors, or soap residue that actually attracts more dirt. Instead, blot gently with a clean cloth, use a small amount of a pH-neutral cleaner (or a mix of vinegar and water), and make sure it dries completely – fans, the best dehumidifiers, or open windows help speed that up.’
Don’t fancy the smell of vinegar in your rugs? Walmart offers an orange-scented cleaning vinegar for fresher fragrances without harsh chemicals.
7. Letting indoor plants leak onto rugs
Once you have found the best indoor plants for any room, you want to keep an eye on watering them. Not just to keep them alive, but to protect your floors and keep your rugs clean. Overwatering is a bad habit that could make your rugs dirtier and stain them forever.
Jade says, ‘It might look fine on top, but try flipping them during a deep clean and you might notice stains, damp spots, or a musty smell. If you love having plants indoors, always, always use a proper drip tray [available in packs of eight at Target].
'Better yet, double it up – add a tray under the pot and a second one with a barrier like cork or a plastic riser to keep air flow underneath.’ The Durham Plant Stands, from Wayfair, are perfect for this.
What to shop
I would never be without this spot treatment in my home. The built-in applicator makes light work of treating stains and spills on a carpet in seconds. I have never encountered a spill that can't be cleared up.
Available in two sizes, this jute door mat is crafted from high-quality natural fibers, making it incredibly durable for high-traffic doorways.
Carpet rakes are one of the most efficient tools for removing pet hair from carpet and rug fibers, pulling it up from the base of the fiber to prevent mats and vacuum clogs.
White vinegar is the best non-toxic product for killing mold and removing odors. Simply mix with equal parts water in a spray bottle and mist the area before allowing it to dry completely.
Baking soda is a natural abrasive that helps break down tough deposits without scratching delicate surfaces such as metal and glass. Mixed into a paste with water or used with vinegar for fizzy cleaning. It's safe for use in most areas of your home.
Rated our best budget cordless vacuum, this Ultenic vac is lightweight, making it easier to complete daily chores. Plus, it has a built-in laser light to show up hidden dirt on carpets and rugs for thorough cleaning.
FAQs
Why does my rug look dirtier after cleaning?
A rug might look dirtier after cleaning because of something called carpet wicking. This is when dirt or stains that are lying beneath the surface are moved up the fibers during cleaning (usually through moisture or suction). Repeat treatments can help remove the dirt and debris from the fibers completely.
Meet the experts
Beyond fixing these common rug blunders, understanding how often to clean an area rug can help you build better, more consistent habits for an altogether healthier – and cleaner – home.
