How to Vacuum a Shag Rug (The Right Way)

A shag rug looks beautiful and is comfortable underneath your feet, but they can be difficult to clean.

The reason for this is the long, thick strands of fiber.  Improper or rushed cleaning can damage these strands and even the entire shag rug. 

Fortunately, it’s easy to clean and vacuum a shag rug with a little know-how.

Understand Shag Rugs Are Delicate

 Shag rugs and shag carpets are extremely delicate  thanks to their unique design.

The long, thick strands of fiber can easily become entangled in a vacuum cleaner. Chances are that your vacuum will try to suction up these strands like they were dirt or debris.

Not only does this pose a risk to the actual vacuum cleaner, but it can also damage the entire shag rug as a whole.

Because of their delicate construction, it’s best to avoid using a normal standup vacuum cleaner on a shag rug altogether.

Shake the Shag Rug Out

Your best bet to clean a shag rug is to  simply shake it out. 

Take the rug outside and shake it around to remove the vast majority of dirt and debris. Hang the shag rug from a laundry line to neutralize odors.

Another option is to use a rug beater to shake out even more dust and other debris.

Vacuum Clean the Shag Carpet

Sometimes the old-fashioned method of shaking out a rug doesn’t remove all of the debris. Or maybe your shag rug is too large to shake out by yourself.

If you decide to vacuum your shag rug, it’s essential that you use one of the brush attachments rather than the actual vacuum itself, or that you use a vacuum specialized on shag carpets.

A standup vacuum has a motorized roller on the underside. A shag rug can easily become entangled in this roller.

The brush attachment, on the other hand, doesn’t contain these rollers. Instead, it just picks up debris through suction.

Pass the brush attachment over the carpet to pick up any debris left behind after shaking the rug out.

Consider Hiring a Professional Cleaner

Depending on the value of your shag rug,  it might be a better idea to hire a professional cleaning service to clean your rug. 

These services have the special tools, equipment, and experience required to expertly clean a shag run without causing damage.

Also consider buying a carpet shampooer. It is a one time investment that will extend the life of your carpet and keep it looking fresh. Here are our carpet shampooer reviews for 2020.

Sure, it might cost more upfront, but if you have a valuable shag rag, investing in a professional cleaning service or buying a carpet shampooer will greatly extend the overall life of your rug.