If your the do it yourself type of person, here are some quick steps on how to clean your own area rug. Rug care depends on size, construction, and material. Care for large-size area rugs just like you would wall-to-wall carpet. In Tampa FL that means get the sand out before it damages the rug fibers.
Vacuum large rugs to remove dirt. As with carpet, the most important thing you can do for larger area rugs would be to vacuum them regularly. If your rug is reversible, vacuum each side. This removes grit and grime that may wear out your rug prematurely. Take care to not vacuum the fringe of your rug.If you can turn off the beater bar on your vacuum it will prevent early aging of the rug.
Brush out pet hair. A vacuum cleaner will sometimes leave pet hair behind. Work with a stiff brush to remove the hair, brushing in the direction of the nap of the rug. You can also by a grooming rake for carpets and rugs to help pull out excess hair before and after vacuuming.
Turn rugs annually. Foot Traffic and sun can put extra stress on area rugs. Turn them a few times a year to even out the wear.
Shake small area rugs. If your rug is small enough, you can take it outside and shake it or beat it vigorously to take out dirt and grit. Some areas have ordinances about shaking rugs outdoors, check the local codes. Using a old fashioned rug beater is still a great way to remove a lot of sand and dirt from your rugs. You can hang your rug and beat the back to remove a lot of dirt.
If your not a do it yourself type of person call a professional rug cleaner like Chem-Dry of Tampa FL.