I have a long bit of carpet, like a rug i spose but its filthy and i want to put in in my room.. do u think its safe to just throw it in the washing machine to clean??
If it has a rubber backing, then no,the rubber will weaken and you will have a rug with half of the backing gone and a repair bill for your machine. I would suggest if you are going to put it in the machine, go to the Laundromat, they have larger machines and super dryers.
I had a braided type of rug that I put in the washer, and it basically shredded it. I'd be careful, maybe just soak it or handwash it or something and see how it fares. If it's okay, put it in the washer on gentle.
its going to depend on the type of carpet. if its carpet like what goes into bathrooms yes, but dont use detergents with enzymes like Era. they eat the latex backing. If its an area rug like an oriental rug then no you will need to have it dry cleaned of shampoo it. Most of the time you can get away with just taking the rug outside for a good beating unless it has some stains.
You can still wash it. Make sure you hang it out to dry though. If you're worried about it not being so waterproof after just get a can of that spray on stuff for shoes and it should do the trick. You should re-waterproof rugs at the start or end of each season.
It depends on the type of rug - if it has a rubber baking like a bathroom rug yes just don't put if in the dryer. If you're talking Carpet like a remnant no don't put it in the washer but you can hand wash it the bathtub with whatever soap - dishsoap or laundry detergent/ I'd so no to an oriental rug too. Those oval braided kind are machine washable in cold water and no dryer too. If you're really concerned just hand wash in the bathtub in cold water or luke warm but not hot water.
