Do you have polypropylene rugs in your house? Many of us do, and they’re just as beautiful and durable as traditional wool carpets.
But that doesn’t mean they don’t need to be cleaned or maintained from time to time.
Have you ever found yourself wondering how to clean polypropylene rugs? I know I have. It’s not an easy task. You can use soap and water to clean it, but that doesn’t really take much off of it.
Let’s face it: No one wants to clean their couch or chair with soap and water. In this article, we’ll look at what you can do in order to clean polypropylene rugs properly.
7 Steps to Cleaning Polypropylene Rugs
Steps | Estimated Required Time |
Vacuum Cleaning | 5-10 minutes |
Pressure Spraying | 10-15 minutes |
Brushed-Up Cleaning | 30-60 minutes |
Rinsing | 10-15 minutes |
Spot Cleaning | 30-60 minutes |
Washing | 10-15 minutes |
Drying | 60-180 minutes |

Step 1: Vacuum Cleaning
Vacuuming is the first step to maintaining a rug in perfect condition. It’s a daily habit for some, while it’s a tough task for others.
In either case, it’s crucial to maintain the vibrancy of patterned rugs.
Required Tools
- Vacuum cleaner.
- Mask.
Steps
- Set the rug down on brick or concrete floors.
- It will be considerably easier for you to complete the task if you put the rug near the stairs or on a slope.
- Vacuuming the dirt that sticks to the fibers of rugs is the first step in cleaning them.
- The area rugs should be properly vacuumed daily or weekly.
- But to eliminate loose particles comfortably before a full wash, you must perform this step.
- Considering the size of your rug and how much dirt is on it, it can be finished in around 5-10 minutes.
- Wear a mask to prevent inhaling any dust particles.
Step 2: Pressure Spraying
Required Tools
- Pressure sprayer or garden hose.
Steps
- The second step is spraying the rug with enough water to wet every fiber.
- Using pressure sprayer equipment may be more beneficial because the water’s intense pressure physically moves the dirt particles.
- But it doesn’t mean you can’t clean your rug if you don’t have access to such a facility at home. Consider picking warm water if you have the choice.
- Avoid over-wetting the carpet; stop watering it once every corner is wet.
Step 3: Brushed-Up Cleaning
Required Tools
- Cold water.
- Liquid dish detergent.
- Bucket.
- Carpet cleaning brush.
Steps
- Pour one cup of cold water and two tablespoons of liquid dish detergent into a bucket.
- Mix it in a container with 4 liters of water.
- Make sure there is a decent amount of foam visible in the mixture.
- Take a carpet cleaning brush, such as a pile lifting brush with two rows of firm nylon tines.
- Put the brush in the container of soapy water, and let it sit there for 10 seconds.
- Then, begin at one corner of the carpet and brush up and down in a zigzag motion until the entire surface is covered.
- Use the soapy foam that is visible on the surface to brush the carpeting thoroughly.
Step 4: Rinsing
Required Tools
- Pressure sprayer or garden hose.
Steps
- The rug should be hosed down with a powerful sprayer once more to remove the most difficult stains.
- If a pressure sprayer is unavailable, you can still do your task using an ordinary household hose, but it will take longer.
- Because soap, detergent, and other applied ingredients tend to trap dust, you must make sure that they drain out smoothly.
- The stains you forget to wash for a long time are the most difficult to remove. It is therefore recommended to get the stains out as soon as possible.

Step 5: Spot Cleaning
Required Tools
- Clean cloth or wet paper towel.
- Dry cleaning solvent.
Steps
- Blotting a wet stain on a polypropylene rug with a clean cloth or wet paper towel works best for removing it.
- Be cautious to dab the stain outside and refrain from rubbing.
- Rubbing makes a stain worse. Add a few drops of mild dish soap to the water combination if necessary.
- A dry cleaning solvent may be necessary for oil-based stains.
- Use the dry cleaning solutions to blot the stain gently until it disappears.
- Scrape as much debris as you can from solid spots before blotting with water and a fresh cloth.
Step 6: Washing
Required Tools
- Pressure sprayer or garden hose.
Steps
- When you are certain that your rug has been cleaned completely, pressure-spray it with clean water to remove any soap residue and other dirt that may still be present.
- To make sure that no soap or dirt is left unwashed, repeat this procedure two or three times.
Step 7: Drying
Required Tools
- Clothesline.
Steps
- Place the polypropylene area rug over a railing or on a clothesline to air dry.
- Before taking the rug inside, be sure to dry it completely on both sides.
- A polypropylene rug should not be exposed to direct sunlight when being air-dried outside. A polypropylene rug’s life can be shortened by concentrated sunlight harming the rug’s fibers.

3 Cleaning Tips For Washing Polypropylene Rugs
I have assembled some of my greatest polypropylene rug cleaning tips for you; let’s have a look.
- Use an enzymatic pet stain remover or carpet spotter with enzymes to treat stains that are resistant to other cleaning techniques. Spray the solution on the stain and give it a few minutes to dry. Use paper towels to blot the area, then your steam cleaner to dry it fully.
- If you vacuum too quickly after cleaning, all of the soap will return to the fibers and become impossible to remove. Using a steam cleaner or a vacuum on a wet rug is not advised.
- Although it can be appealing to want to bleach a stain spot, it will damage the polypropylene fibers. If there was anything other than water on the rug previously, you could use a color-altering enzyme cleaner or one of the other cleaners available.
Bottom Line
Polypropylene rugs are great for home use or commercial floors. However, disposable polypropylene mats may leave behind an odor, and they can be hard to clean when they get dirty.
They can also splinter and chip if handled roughly. If you have a polypropylene rug, then it’s important that you learn how to clean it properly, so you don’t ruin it over time.
FAQ
Can you use a carpet cleaner on a polypropylene rug?
Rugs made entirely of polypropylene can be cleaned using any carpet cleaner and a variety of cleaning chemicals. Make sure your rug is made with 100% polypropylene!
Is polypropylene dangerous in rugs?
Absolutely not. Due to the absence of any poisonous or harmful compounds or ingredients, polypropylene rugs are entirely safe. They are renowned for their tremendous advantages and tenderness.
How much do a polypropylene rug cost?
Polypropylene rugs are expensive, but not as much as the Persian rugs. You can check prices for polypropylene rugs by clicking here.