One Thing You Should Wash Every Week, But No One Ever Does

Performing those household cleaning tasks on a weekly basis isn't particularly fun, but it can make the difference between a tidy space and one that is filled with dirt and grime. While many of us already have a routine of washing our bedding or vacuuming our hardwood floors every week, there might be some other parts of your home that could use a more regular cleaning. Take, for instance, the area rugs in your space. Be honest: When was the last time you ran a vacuum cleaner over that cute runner in your kitchen or the circular rug under your dining room table?

Even if the rugs in your home are not visibly dirty, experts say it is best to clean them at least once a week. You can even vacuum them more frequently if they're placed in high-traffic areas of your home and accumulate a lot of dirt, dust, or pet hair. Adding this simple task to your weekly cleaning checklist will help rid your home of common irritants. And if you follow these game changing tips to keep your rugs pristine, you can elevate the overall appearance of your living quarters. 

If you have larger rugs, all you need to do is simply vacuum them once or twice a week. This will keep the rug looking sharp, minimize odors, and limit exposure to particles like dust, dead skin, food, or pet dander, all of which can get caught in the fabric of your rug and kicked up into the air when stepped upon. Buildup of these particles in your home can be bad for your health and trigger asthma, allergic reactions, or other respiratory issues. But the good news is that by vacuuming with a high-quality vacuum — ideally one that's certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly — is a very effective way to reduce exposure to allergens. You can even flip your rug over and vacuum both sides for added cleanliness. 

For the small runner rugs in your home, check to see if the material is machine washable. If so, toss them in the laundry at the end of the week. You'll spare yourself the hassle of trying to vacuum a tiny surface area while also keeping your rugs as clean as a whistle. Hand-washing a more delicate runner rug will also do the trick. Spot-cleaning is another great strategy to keep spills from leaving permanent stains. Maintenance cleaning aside, you'll also want to make sure that your rugs get cleaned by a professional periodically. Many cleaning experts recommend taking them to a pro at least once a year for stain treatment and a deeper, more thorough cleaning.