10 best tips for cleaning rugs including using shaving foam to get out stubborn stains and wiping out wine spillages with an 80p can of fizzy water

A good rug can transform the appearance of a room, as well as adding cosiness and an extra layer of protection to your floor.

But they can quickly start looking old and tired and a bit ragged if they are not cleaned and maintained properly.

Here interiors expert Laura Rich from the online store Furniturebox explains ten easy-to-follow steps to get your favourite rugs looking as good as new.

She kicks off with some simple and cheap hacks with products costing less than £1 which can get rid of the most stubborn stains.

1 Emergency spills of drinks such as tea and coffee –  speed is everything and the quicker you can get on a stain, the easier it will be to clean. Dab/blot spills such as tea or coffee with kitchen roll or a clean dry cloth or towel. DON’T rub because you risk pushing stains further into the fibres. Once you have minimised and dried the stain with dabbing, take a clean cloth or sponge and rub the stain with warm water and washing up liquid multiple times, rinsing the cloth or sponge in the soapy water and repeating as many times as necessary. Once clean, rinse any soapy residue from the rug using the sponge with fresh clean water. Dry excess moisture by then blotting the area with a dry towel.

2 The dreaded wine stain – use club soda, which is carbonated fizzy water which can be bought from supermarkets for as little as 80p a can. First blot up any excess wine until the stain is dry and then pour on the club soda.Its fizzing and bubbling will help break down and lift the wine stain. Blot and repeat until the stain is gone. This also works on blood.

3 A second wine stain removing hack  – mix one tablespoon of washing up liquid and one tablespoon of white vinegar (also known as distilled vinegar which is clear in appearance and available from supermarkets for as little as 30p a bottle) with half a litre of warm water. Using a white cloth only – so pigment from the cloth doesn’t bleed into your carpet – apply a small pour onto the stain, blotting frequently until the stain vanishes. Test on a small area first!

4 Other stubborn stains such as tomato ketchup – shaving cream/foam comes in handy to clear most of the common stubborn carpet stains. Blob some shaving foam on the stain and let it sit for 15 minutes. Then rinse it with a white towel (to avoid transferring any colour to your rug).

5 Removing doggy/pet smells or pet wee odour  – sprinkle baking soda (jars cost around 70p at supermarkets) over a rug and it will help to absorb smells. Leave it to sit for half an hour, then hoover up well. You can also add a few drops of your favourite essential oil to the baking soda before you sprinkle it to add a nice scent to your rug.

6 Stopping your rug looking ‘bitty’ – it may be kept under a dining table and have started to look a bit ragged with loose bits. Take it outside and give it a good beating! This will help loosen any debris.

7 Hoover both sides – we all vacuum the top of our rugs but we recommend doing the back as well. This also picks up dirt from the floor which can contribute to its tired appearance and wear out the rug prematurely. Vacuum at least twice a week and even more with rugs in high traffic areas.

8 Getting rid of pet hairs – a vacuum won’t pick up all of these. Use a stiff brush to remove the hair, brushing in the direction of the nap of the rug.

9 Gum removal – peel off what you can and then put ice cubes in a plastic bag on top of the remaining gum to harden it. Scrape the remaining gum off with a spoon or knife.

10 Be careful – all the tips above are suited to synthetic rugs that you can buy at any interiors shop including Furniturebox. If you have an antique, Persian or particularly delicate rug,  you should seek out a professional rug cleaner. Before you start, whatever type of rug you have got, make sure you have checked to see if your rug has any care instructions on its label to make sure it doesn’t need any special cleaning care.

For more advice on cleaning rugs, go to the Furniturebox blog