How to Clean an Area RugAn area rug can be a beautiful feature, but over time, area rugs can become musty, stained and unclean. Fortunately, you can get just about any stain or smell out of an area rug with some patience and the right cleaning tools.Getting Rid Of A Musty SmellArea rugs might smell musty due to built up dirt or mildew, and depending on the material, you may be able to quickly vacuum your rug to get rid of any offensive odors. Be sure to vacuum both the front and the back of your area rug. If one side is dirty, there's a pretty high chance that the other side need a cleaning, too.If the smell still lingers, you can use baking soda to freshen it up. Baking soda should safely neutralize any odors without damaging the fabric of your rug and can be especially effective at getting mildew smells out of older area rugs.Cleaning Spots And StainsStains are another matter entirely. You'll probably have to use a cleaning product to get stains out of your rug, but try to find gentle cleaners. Always check cleaning in a small corner of the area rug to make sure that it won't diminish your rug's colors or ruin it completely.Try to treat stains as quickly as possible and don't use harsh chemicals except as a last resort. By choosing the right tools and doing some quick testing before you clean, you can greatly extend the life of your rug.