Washing Guide for Flor Rugs

FLOR is a high-end area rug brand that specializes in modern carpet floor tiles and customized rugs. Not only are they easy to install but they’re also machine-washable, which makes them super easy to care for. On top of that, they’re sustainable and made from responsibly sourced materials.

More About FLOR Brand Rugs

FLOR was founded in the spring of 2003. Initially catalog-based, they have since opened a number of retail stores in New York, Atlanta, Dallas, Santa Monica, and Chicago. In addition to that, they also have a 1,400-square-foot retail location in Toronto, Canada.

As far as their carpet tiles go, they’re great in that they can easily be replaced, moved, and washed. All of their products are also hypoallergenic, nontoxic, and meet or exceed standards for low VOCs.

FLOR Carpet Tiles and Removable Cover Rugs

FLOR offers carpet tiles in a wide variety of colors, textures, and patterns. For example, you can between solid colors, stripes, or patterns. That’s not all, you can also design your own, either from scratch or by using a pattern template or pre-designed rug. 

In terms of pricing, their carpet tiles range from $9 to $50 per tile, depending on the type. For example, texturized carpet squares tend to be more expensive than solid colors. However, they do have sales every now and then. In fact,  they have a 25% off everything deal at the time of this writing. 

Those who are interested in a FLOR rug can order fabric swatches from their website. Just look for the “sample with swatches” option on the product pages. You can select as many as you’d like and add them directly to your cart.

FLOR Carpet Tile & Rug Care Instructions

FLOR carpet tiles are similar to regular carpets and rugs in that they should be vacuumed on a regular basis, ideally once a week. That’ll help prevent dirt and other debris from building up on the surface. 

Depending on the material, you may also want to clean them annually with a dry powder or hot water extractor. Keep in mind, however, that while they’re water-resistant, they can be prone to mold and mildew growth if exposed to excessive moisture for long periods of time. 

What’s the best way to wash FLOR carpet tiles and rugs? What product should you use? How should you use it? Keep reading for all of the answers!

What Materials Are FLOR Rugs and Carpet Tiles Made Of?

FLOR carpet tiles and rugs are made from nylon fiber (treated with a 100% solution dye). More specifically, they’re made of Aquafil ECONYL Regenerated Nylon.

What is Nylon?

Nylon is a highly resilient fiber that’s known for its elasticity. Despite being lightweight, it has excellent tensile strength and abrasion resistance, which makes it ideal for carpets and rugs. 

Keep in mind, however, that it’s not resistant to liquids so it can be prone to stains. Compared to other fibers such as polyester, it’s also a little rougher. Not to mention that it can build up static electricity.

What is Aquafil ECONYL Regenerated Nylon?

ECONYL regenerated nylon is a special type of nylon that’s made using waste material such as fishing nets and old carpets destined for landfills. Despite being made from regenerated material, there’s no compromise in quality.

What are FLOR Backings Made Of?

FLOR offers three types of backings: CQuest GB, CQuest BioX, and CQuest Bio.

CQuest GB: This backing is made of carbon-negative bio-based elements, post-consumer carpet tiles, and pre-consumer recycled materials.

CQuest BioX: This backing is non-vinyl and made with carbon-negative biopolymers in addition to recycled and bio-based fillers.

CQuest Bio: A sustainable backing that has the same composition as CQuestBio but with a higher concentration of carbon-negative materials.

How to Wash Flor Rugs and Carpet Tiles

FLOR rugs and carpet tiles are not machine washable. While it’s fine to clean them with water, they shouldn’t be soaked as that can lead to mold and mildew growth if the tiles are not dried properly. 

Removing Individual Rug and Carpet Tiles For Cleaning

To remove a single tile, gently fold over or pull up on the rug to expose the backing. Make sure the backing side is facing up and use a sharp blade such as a carpet knife to carefully cut through each FLORdot; that will release the carpet tile. 

Never rip or pull the squares apart using brute force. That can tear or damage the carpet square.

If you plan on reinstalling the same carpet tile after cleaning, make sure to use a new FLORdot and install it in a different spot (after air drying it completely). If there’s leftover adhesive residue on the backing, use GooGone or a similar product to remove the remnants.

Removing Water-Based Stains From Flor Rugs and Carpet Tiles

Cover the stained area with paper towels or a clean cloth. Press down firmly with your hand to absorb the excess liquid. Repeat until all of the liquid has been removed. Do not scrub the area as that’ll cause the stain to spread.

Next, pull up the tile (as per the instructions in the previous section) and rinse it under cool water. Avoid using hot water as that can damage the square’s fibers.

Fill a small bowl with cool water and add a small amount of ACTIVE detergent. Gently agitate the mixture with your hand to dissolve the powder. Once it’s thoroughly mixed, saturate the stained area with the liquid. We recommend using a spray bottle or a sponge.

Allow it to soak for a few minutes; that’ll give the enzymes time to penetrate into the carpet fibers to remove the stain. Do not use bleach as that can damage the tile’s fibers and backing.

Rinse the carpet tile under cool water. Make sure there isn’t any soap residue leftover and allow it to air dry in a well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight (the sun’s rays can cause the colors to fade over time).

Tip: Never reinstall carpet tiles while they are still wet. Any moisture that’s left over will permeate the square and can potentially ruin the floor underneath by leaving a watermark. Given that, you always want to completely dry the square before replacing it.

How To Remove Oil-Based Stains From Flor Rugs and Carpet Tiles

Mix a small amount of ACTIVE detergent with cool water. Ensure that the powder is thoroughly dissolved and apply the mixture directly onto the oil stain with a sponge. Using a clean cloth, blot the stained area until the spot is no longer visible. Rinse with cool water and allow the area to dry afterward.

Tip: As always, you want to wipe gently from the outer edge toward the center. Never rube across the stain.

Hand Washing Flor Rugs and Carpet Tiles with Detergent

Remove the individual carpet square as per the instructions above and rinse it under running water. Avoid using hot water as the heat can damage the nylon fibers. 

Fill a small bowl with cool water and add a small amount of ACTIVE detergent. Mix it gently with your hand to thoroughly dissolve the powder. From there, saturate the carpet tile with the detergent mixture. We recommend using a spray bottle or a sponge as that’ll allow you to apply the liquid evenly onto the carpet’s surface. Do not use bleach or other harsh chemicals as they can compromise the quality of the fibers.

Using your fingers, agitate the pile of the carpet; that’ll help get rid of any embedded dirt or debris. When you’re finished, rinse the tile with cool water in a sink. Make sure all of the soap residues have been removed and allow the square to dry completely in a well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight, before reinstalling.

Other Tips For Cleaning Flor Rugs and Carpet Tiles

• Consider using baking soda if odor is an issue. Sprinkle a generous amount over the rug or carpet and leave it on for at least 15 minutes (the longer the better) before vacuuming. The baking soda will help neutralize any smells.
• You can rinse the rug or carpet tile with a hose or sprayer in the yard if it’s too big for the sink
• We recommend deep cleaning the carpet tiles periodically with a professional carpet cleaning machine (they can often be rented from home improvement stores)
• Spots and stains should be removed as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the harder they’ll be to get out
• Never scrub when cleaning your carpet squares. Not only will it damage the fibers but it can also cause a stain to spread to nearby tiles
• Maintaining a good vacuuming schedule will help prevent grit, dust, and dirt from becoming trapped between the fibers and that can extend the life of your rug or carpet
• Chewing gum can be removed from the carpet tiles using an ice cube. Once the gum is frozen, you can scrape the residue off with a sharp blade

When to Replace Your Flor Rugs and Carpet Tiles

FLOR rugs and carpet tiles are durable and should last several years given that they’re cared for properly. Over time, however, they can become damaged or badly stained. In cases like that, you’ll want to replace the square with a new one (it’s easy to order replacements through their website).

Using a sharp knife, carefully remove the damaged or badly stained carpet tile by cutting through the FLORdots; that’ll release the square. You’ll also need to remove the FLORdor from any squares that are still in place. Never rip or pull the tiles apart as that can cause permanent damage to the tile.

From there, you can replace the old tile. Just make sure to use a new FLORdot when installing the new square. For the best results, brush the face fibers of the surrounding tiles so that they’re upright; that’ll prevent the pile fibers of the new tile from becoming trapped between the joints. 

Note: Replacement carpet squares will likely look a bit different due to their newer appearance. If they stand out in sharp contrast to the existing tiles, you can shuffle them around. For example, you can place the existing squares in a more visible area and move the new tile to a less visible spot.

Best Detergent for Flor Rugs and Carpet Tiles

ACTIVE detergent is the number one choice for Flor rugs and carpet tiles. What makes it special? It’s specifically engineered for manmade fibers such as nylon. 

Featuring three types of active enzymes, it’s capable of penetrating deep into the fiber to remove dirt, oils, and odors. Once the “gunk” has been removed, the chelating agents will restore the nylon fibers back to their original state. If anything, it’ll extend the life of your Flor rugs better than anything else on the market. 

What’s more, is that it’s hypoallergenic and free of fragrances and wasteful fillers. So what are you waiting for? Give ACTIVE detergent a try today!