Everyday tip: How to wash rugs and carpets in the city

There’s something about a big clean that triggers the urge to wash rugs. But in a rental home, washing rugs can be a bit tricky, as regular washing machines aren’t built to handle such heavy loads. Nor are laundry room machines suitable for rug washing. We’ve put together tips for tackling small stains at home and listed designated washing spots so you can clean your rugs and tapestries with ease and in an environmentally friendly way.

Don’t wash rugs in the laundry room machines

Laundry room machines must not be used for washing rugs, tapestries, dirty workwear or any other heavy laundry. These items can seriously damage the machines. Rugs absorb far more water than regular laundry, which makes them too heavy even for more robust machine drums.

“It would be unfortunate if the machines were out of order and residents couldn’t use them when they needed to,” says Matias Peltonen, Service Manager at SATO.

Rugs must also not be washed on the laundry room floor, in other communal areas, or on the balcony. These surfaces are not hygienic for washing, and detergent on the floor poses a clear slipping hazard.

“The laundry room and drying room are intended for regular laundry. The most important thing is to follow your booked time so that everyone has a chance to do their washing when it suits them,” Matias adds. “And please remember to take your rubbish with you after using the facilities.”

Vacuum your rugs and regularly

As boring as it may sound to those who aren’t big fans of cleaning, keeping up with regular weekly cleaning also makes rug maintenance easier. Make it a habit to vacuum your rugs and carpets whenever you vacuum your floors.

Vacuuming is also more effective than beating, as dust knocked out of the rug may settle back into it. If you want to beat your rugs, once a year is usually enough. Most SATOhomes have a rug-beating rack in the yard for residents to use.

Matias also reminds residents not to beat, air, or dry rugs on the balcony:

“Rugs shed dirt and dust, which then fall onto the balcony below or onto the ground. In the worst case, a rug could fall off the balcony. For safety reasons, it’s best to use the rug-beating rack provided in your building.”

A tip for pet owners

Get an attachment for your vacuum cleaner that’s designed to remove pet hair from rugs and fabrics. Electrolux, for example, offers two highly effective tools for pet owners. And if you share your home with a cat, dog or other furry friend, it’s perfectly fine to beat your rugs more often than once a year.

Clean small stains at home

Small stains don’t always require a full wash if you act quickly. You can remove minor stains with a paste made from baking soda and vinegar. Mix the two in equal parts (for example, one tablespoon of each is enough for a small stain). Let the paste sit for at least ten minutes, then wipe off with a damp cloth.

Avoid scrubbing, as this can cause the stain to spread further.

You can also freshen up a musty rug by sprinkling baking soda over it. Let it sit for about ten minutes, then vacuum the rug thoroughly. If you like, you can leave it overnight. This trick works well on car mats too, especially since baking soda in powder form doesn’t leave marks.

Rug washing piers and other washing spots

Even if rug washing isn’t allowed in your rental home, fortunately there are plenty of public and often charming rug-washing places around the Helsinki metropolitan area:

• Helsinki: Herttoniemi, Hevossalmi, Humallahti, Katajannokka, Lauttasaari, Marjaniemi, Pukinmäki
• Espoo: Tapiola, Suomenoja, Kilo, Kirkkojärvi, Olarinluoma, Niipperinkuja and Soukka
• Vantaa: Martinlaakso, Myyrmäki, Vapaala, Tikkurila, Korso and Hakunila
• Kirkkonummi: Veikkola, Tolsa, Gesterby and Kantvik

You’ll find more information via the links provided. If you don’t live in the capital region, check your local council’s website for nearby rug-washing stations.

My rug is very dirty – what should I do?

If your rug or carpet needs more than just spot cleaning, or you can’t wash it properly at a rug-washing station, it’s best to take it to a professional cleaner. At a cleaning service, rugs are treated according to their material and cleaned thoroughly. For delicate silk or wool rugs, a professional cleaner is the only safe choice.

Services like Mattopesula Pesumesta offer both pick-up and cleaning services.

This content has been translated with the help of generative AI. Tämä sisältö on käännetty generatiivisen tekoälyn avulla.