Shampooing an area rug

on a hardwood floor? I'm worried about water soaking through and damaging the floors underneath. We have broad, shadowy, dirt smudges on the rug in our living room from the dog, but I'm afraid to clean them.

If you cleaned area rugs on wood floors, how'd you do it?

Re: Shampooing an area rug

If the rug is small enough you can put in the washing machine. Mine is too big so I am planning on taking it to the laundry mat.

Re: Shampooing an area rug

Re: Shampooing an area rug

I've seen signs in my dry cleaners that they do rugs. Maybe if you can be without it for a few days, you could try one of them?

Re: Shampooing an area rug

I really was surprised that so few people were able to answer this thread as I know so many of you have hardwood with area rugs. But in case someone else is looking for an answer to this questions and can't get one, here's what I learned:

Just rent the carpet shampooer. The moisture doesn't soak through the lining of the rug underneath, so no worries about damage to the wood.

Thank you to the few girls who offered their insight.

Re: Shampooing an area rug

We own a carpet shampooer (is that a word?) and I just use it the same way I do on the wall to wall carpets - just being careful not to saturate the rug too much.