Rugs can really tie a room together. But over time, even the softest rug can lose its fluff and start to feel rough and matted.
If your favorite rug has seen better days, don’t worry. With a little TLC, you can get that rug feeling soft and plush again.
In this comprehensive guide, as a professional custom rugs supplier, I will share several methods for reviving your worn-out rug so it soft again and feels brand new.
Why Rugs Lose Their Softness
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of making a rug soft again, it helps to understand why rugs lose their softness in the first place.
There are 5 main culprits:
1. Pet Traffic
Got fur babies running all over your favorite shag rug? Pet traffic is one of the number one ways rugs loses their softness.
As pets walk (and lie down) on the rug, microscopic dirt and debris work their way into the fibers. That dirt not only makes the rug feel rough, but over time the particles act like little knives that cut the fibers.
2. Foot Traffic
Walk on any rug long enough, and it’s bound to get matted down.
In areas of your home that see especially heavy foot traffic, your rug will slowly become permanently packed down. And the constant flex of fibers underfoot doesn’t help matters either.
3. Furniture Placement
Placing furniture onto a rug on a semi-permanent basis creates instant matting, especially under the legs or feet of couches, chairs, and tables. That constant weight pressing down on the rug shortens the fibers – even if you can’t see it.
4. Improper Cleaning
Believe it or not, cleaning your rug wrong can damage the fibers. Using harsh chemicals or scrubbing too aggressively pulls out fibers or frays them. And if you don’t extract all the moisture, your rug stays damp, which flattens fibers.
5. Direct Sunlight Exposure
Direct sun exposure over time degrades rug fibers – especially synthetic ones like acrylic, polyester, nylon, and olefin. The sun’s UV radiation causes fibers to become dry and brittle, eventually breaking them off entirely.
Now that you know why rugs lose their softness, let’s get into solutions!
How to Make a Rug Soft Again
The good news? With the right methods and a little elbow grease, you can rehab even the most matted rug.
Here are 6 tips and techniques for revitalizing a worn-out rug so it looks and feels brand new:
Thorough Vacuuming
The first step for reviving a matted rug is getting aggressive with the vacuum cleaner.
You want a powerful upright vacuum with a motorized brush roller or beater bar attachment. This mechanical agitation loosens packed down fibers and dislodges embedded dirt and debris. You can also use a handheld rug vacuum with a stiff bristle attachment. Just make sure to vacuum each section of the rug thoroughly.
Pile Lifting
For really stubborn mats, you need special tools designed to lift flattened fibers back into place. Pile lifters (also called rug rakes) have rows of bent metal or plastic tines that grab onto the fibers to stand them upright.
Start from one edge of matted section. Flex the tines into the fibers, then gently pull towards you in strips. The hooked tines lift and fluff the rug as you go. Make sure to overlap strips so you cover the entire area evenly.
Shaking Out Outdoors
For a really thorough deep cleaning, take your braided, woven, Turkish, or smaller shag rug outside and give it a good shake out.
Find a porch, patio, garage or grassy area where it’s okay to make a mess. Hold the rug by two corners and sharply snap your wrists so the rug billows up and out. Repeat all over the rug to unsettle all packed in dirt and lift the fibers.
Just avoid shaking delicate fringe, which can unravel or tear off. Beat flat fringes with your hand or a carpet beater instead.
Steaming
Appliance steamers and handheld clothing steamers work wonders for flattening wrinkles in clothes and fabrics. Turns out, they can also fluff up a matted rug!
The hot steam helps relax the fibers so they return to their natural position. Simply hover the steamer head over the rug, keeping it an inch or so away from direct contact with the fibers.
Work in sections, overlapping the steamer treatment as you go. The heat combined with vapor saturation reconditions the fibers. So don’t be shy with the steam!
Vinegar Rinsing
For wall-to-wall carpets, you’ll want to give them a good rinse with white vinegar. The mild acid in vinegar breaks down residue from dirt, oil, and cleaning products that flatten fibers over time.
Mix up a solution of 1 part white vinegar to 3 parts cool water. Use a large spray bottle to liberally apply the mixture over a section of carpet. Massage it into the rug with a stiff carpet brush, getting down to the base. Let sit for 10 minutes.
Then comes the fun part: blotting. Press clean microfiber cloths or white paper towels down firmly to absorb moisture and lift dirt. Flip cloths frequently and change them out as they become soiled.
You’ll see the fibers “puff up” from the vinegar treatment. Just keep blotting (don’t rub!) until the carpet is barely damp. Fluff with your fingers or a soft bristle brush. Allow to completely air dry before vacuuming again.
Repeat for each carpet section until the whole thing looks uniformly fluffy. You’ll notice it feels softer underfoot, as vinegar also works as a DIY carpet softener.
Deep Professional Cleaning
If you just can’t get your rug to bounce back on your own, call in carpet cleaning pros. They have commercial-grade equipment and cleaning solutions tailored to all types of rugs and carpets.
The two most thorough professional cleaning methods are steam carpet cleaning and hot water extraction. Both drive deep down into the carpet pad to eliminate oils, dirt, and residue that mash fibers flat from below.
Then the rug gets meticulously rinsed so no moisture or cleaning solution residues get left behind. Thorough extraction is key – any leftover moisture flattens carpets as they dry.
The pros also use powerful vacuums and pile lifters as part of the rug restoration process. Each fiber gets individually fluffed and returned to its natural state. So you wind up with a vibrant, soft, fresh-smelling rug that looks and feels brand new off the showroom floor!
How Often Should You De-Mat Your Rugs?
To keep your rugs feeling plush and comfy underfoot, you’ll need to stay on top of regular maintenance:
- Vacuum high traffic areas every 2-3 days – Quick passes with the vacuum capture surface dirt before it works down into the fibers.
- Thoroughly vacuum entire rug 1x week – Make sure to get under furniture and into corners. Move pieces periodically to evenly distribute wear.
- Professional cleaning every 12-18 months – Stop flattened fibers before they become permanently bent and damaged. Getting on a regular cleaning schedule extends your rug’s lifespan.
- Spot clean spills ASAP – Liquids like wine, juice, grease, etc can lead to rapid matting as they dry. Blot thoroughly and treat stains quickly.
- Consider rug padding – Adding cushioning under your rug helps prevent excessive flattening from foot traffic and furniture. Look for a natural fiber pad without latex or PVC backing.
- Rotate every 6 months – Turn your rug 180 degrees so the same areas don’t get consistently walked on. Shake it out and reposition any furniture as well.
Staying diligent with routine maintenance keeps dirt from permanently embedding into fibers. It also avoids the need for extreme restoration methods down the line.
Summary: Revive Matted Rugs
As you can see, there are several techniques for restoring softness and loft to a matted rug. From hand fluffing to deep extraction cleaning, you have options based on your rug’s size and construction.
The key is to establish a regular cleaning routine so your rugs retain their plushness and last for years. Handle spills right away, vacuum frequently, and get periodic deep cleans. And make rug rotation part of your regular house cleaning schedule.
With some TLC and consistent care, you can keep those soft fibers bouncy and lush for the long haul. No need to give up on your favorite shaggy rug yet!
Have you used any of these rug reviving methods before? Share any other tips in the comments to help your fellow DIYers keep their rugs in tip-top shape!