To clean an area rug, first, vacuum it thoroughly to remove loose dirt and debris. Then, spot clean any stains or soiled areas with a cleaning solution appropriate for the rug’s material. After that, shampoo the rug with a carpet cleaning machine, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Allow the rug to dry completely before returning it to its usual location. For deep cleaning or heavily soiled rugs, it may be best to hire a professional rug cleaning service.