How to Clean a Seagrass Rug

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Seagrass is typically harvested from saltwater marshes in Asia and made into beautiful seagrass rugs that demand less maintenance. However, they attract dust and dirt into their fine crevices and weavings if regular vacuuming is overlooked. Don’t know how to clean a seagrass rug? We have you covered:

How To Clean A Seagrass Rug

Seagrass rugs are made with heavily woven fabrics that attract dust, dirt, and moisture. It can often lead to unsanitary conditions and smells. This guide highlights three fairly simple DIY methods to help you learn how to clean a seagrass rug.

Method #1: Spot Cleaning With Soap

Identifying pinpoint areas that attract dust and just cleaning those can save you time, energy, and material. These reasons make spot cleaning our most favored option.

Step #1: Immediately blot The Spill Right After It Happens

  1. Get a clean cloth or paper towels.
  2. Firmly press it over the spill on your seagrass rugs. 
  3. Keep the cloth or paper towels in the same spot until all the moisture is absorbed, or at least remove as much moisture as it’s possible.
  4. After you remove as much moisture as possible, let the spill area dry up.
  5. Make it a habit to get rid of the spills on seagrass rugs immediately. It is a habit that will save a lot of effort in the future, just like regular vacuuming. 

Step #2: Use A Mild Soap Solution

  • Get a clean cloth and prepare a mixture of mild soap with water. 
  • Now, damp the seagrass rugs in the solution. 
  • Gently clean the stained area with it. Tap the cloth and don’t rub it.
  • See if it vanishes or not. 
  • If it vanishes, you will have to immediately dry the area under the fan or with a hairdryer.
  • Warning: Immediate drying seagrass rugs is mandatory, irrespective of what solution you use on the seagrass rug stains. If you are using a cleaning solution, then consider removing its residues with a clean damp cloth before drying.

Step #3: Use A Dry Cleaning Solution (Optional)

  1. Shake the dry cleaner liquid and spread it over the seagrass rugs.
  2. Brush the stained area while dry cleaning solution is spread over it. 
  3. Consider brushing through the rug in all directions, vertical and horizontal. 
  4. After brushing, pour another layer of dry cleaning solution over the area. 
  5. Wait for the solution to dry completely. It may take up to a day.
  6. Once dry, regular vacuuming can help you clean the solution thoroughly from the rug. 

This short video gives an in-depth look at this cleaning method.

Vinegar mixed with water used for cleaning seagrass rug

Method #2: Spot Cleaning With White Vinegar & Water

If you accidentally drop some food or spill some drink or find that a pet has urinated on the rug, you can use this emergency method to clean the rug.

Step #1: Immediately Blot The Spill

  1. Use paper towels or a clean, white cloth.
  2. Immediately blot the food or drink. Try and limit the spread of the spill as much as you can.
  3. Use multiple cloths or paper towels if the existing one is too wet. 

Step #2: Use The White Vinegar & Water Solution

  1. Take ¼ cup of white vinegar and ¼ cup of water. Mix it up to prepare a solution. 
  2. Use a clean towel to dip it in the solution and dab the stained area. 
  3. Make sure you damp the towel and don’t wet it excessively. 
  4. Dab it until you see the stain fading away. 
  5. Now, use a clean and dry towel to dry the area. 

Step #3: Use Rug Cleaner (Optional)

  • Buy a rug cleaner suitable for your seagrass rugs. 
  • Use a clean white cloth to apply it over the stained area. 
  • Dab it and gently tap to fade the stain. 
  • Now, use a clean white cloth and dampen it with clean water. Dab it over the area to remove the residues of the cleaner. 
  • After cleaning is over, dry it immediately with a clean white cloth, or use a hairdryer for the purpose.  

Method #3: Removing Mold With Bleach & Water

Moisture can often lead to mold on your seagrass rug as it is made of fairly organic material. In such cases, we recommend using bleach.

  1. Take a cup of chlorine bleach and put it in a bowl. 
  2. Now take 1400ml of water to dilute a cup of bleach in the same bowl. 
  3. Stir the mixture to dilute the bleach properly. 
Person holding a spray bottle

Spray The Solution On The Rug

  1. Fill a spray bottle with bleach and water solution.
  2. Spray a thin coat over the moldy areas on the rug. 
  3. Keep the spray as light as possible. Ensure that the coating is even on all areas of the rug. 
  4. Let it dry for the next 10 minutes. 
  5. Use paper towels or a clean white cloth to blot the seagrass rug. 
  6. Continue blotting with paper towels until you remove as much moisture as possible from the seagrass rug. 
  7. Dry the rug immediately with the use of a hairdryer. It is to prevent bleach or moisture from soaking into the rug.
  8. While you spray the solution, make sure not to do it on the binding but only on the rug itself. Also, ensure that the bleach is diluted, as a direct application of strong bleach might discolor the carpet.
Seagrass rug under coffee table

Conclusion

Now you are well-versed with all the important methods and ways of cleaning your seagrass rug. By now, you must have understood that immediately clearing out the stains from your rugs will help you maintain their longevity.