Shag carpets are so popular now for their soft, fluffy and bouncy feeling underfoot. Shag carpets just make the house feel more like a home, providing a comfortable, cozy feeling at all times!
The only problem with shag carpets is that they are a little more difficult to clean.
The long fibers, and more pile in the shag carpet can help dirt and debris cling to the carpet, and makes deep cleaning it rather frustrating.
Sometimes, cleaning your shag carpet with a normal vacuum cleaner can damage the fibers and leave your carpet looking sunken and a little lacklustre.
With a vacuum cleaner that is specifically designed for shag carpets, you can make cleaning up so much easier, and keep your shag carpet looking brand new.
This is why we have created a guide of the best vacuums for shag carpets, along with a buyer’s guide and frequently asked questions section to help you find the right fit for you.
Why do I need a vacuum specifically for a shag carpet?
One of the biggest problems with shag carpets is that there are much longer fibers, and a lot more pile than in regular carpets. This means that dirt and debris can get lodged much easier between the fibers, and can be hard to remove.
To remove dirt and grime from your carpet, you may be thinking that a powerful vacuum is the answer.
Whilst sucking the debris out of the carpet is exactly what you need, if you use the wrong type of vacuum, or one with harsh bristles, that you may damage your carpet in the process.
This is why it is so important that you use a vacuum that is made for shag carpets.
With the right vacuum, you will not damage, tangle, or ruin the shag texture, but you will also be able to get deep into the fibers to clean and maintain the carpet.
Best Vacuums for shag carpets
If you are looking for the best vacuums for shag carpets, then you will need one that can handle soft carpet, and high pile carpets easily.
OUR TOP PICK
This is our top winner as this vacuum cleaner is specifically designed for soft carpets, but is additionally impressive on almost any surface.
This vacuum also has adjustable suction control, so that you can find the right level for whatever carpet or surface you are cleaning, all you have to do to adjust it is to use the simple foot pedal on the canister.
In addition, this vacuum is perfect for those who suffer with allergies as it includes a HEPA AirClean filter along with an AirClean sealed system which helps to retain up to 100% of the particles that may float around in the air.
What we love about this vacuum cleaner is that it comes with three extra accessories for cleaning your home.
This includes a dusting brush, an upholstery cleaning tool and a crevice nozzle, to help you reach every surface and nook and cranny in your home.
We also think that the SoftCarpet Mode is incredibly beneficial for your shag carpet, to give it a gentle clean without tangling or damaging the fibers.
Additionally, you can enjoy the Parquet Twister, which provides 180 degrees of vacuum rotation for a thorough yet soft cleaning of your floors.
Additionally, you can make use of the SEB 228 SoftCarpetElectrobrush that has a five level height adjustment, able to clean low-pile carpets to shag carpets with ease and simplicity.
This is an exceptional vacuum cleaner for cleaning your shag carpet, and is designed to maintain the soft, high pile of a shag carpet perfectly. The only drawback is that it is on the heavier side, weighing in at 20 pounds.
EDITORS CHOICE
Another strong contender is the Kenmore Elite 81714 Pet Friendly Ultra Plush Vacuum. This vacuum cleaner is a great solution for cleaning your shag carpet without damaging the pile.
In addition, it can give the shag carpet a highly effective deep clean, and is great at removing pet hair that may be stuck within the fibers.
What is even better is that this vacuum cleaner is designed to clean extra plush carpets just like shag carpets, by removing deeply stuck dirt and debris in between the high pile fibers.
Additionally, this model includes a HEPA filtration system, which is perfect for those who suffer with allergies as it removes all allergens and irritants from the air.
Also, you can use the PetPowerMate attachment that is included to pick up even the most stubborn and hard to reach pet hair to get rid of any strands and allergens that may be present in your home.
This vacuum cleaner utilizes Canister HEPA bags that are easy and simple to replace, but they also keep any debris from getting caught in the filter along with the double wall design on the vacuum that keeps air running smoothly.
This vacuum works extremely well on shag carpets, but also other surfaces too, with variable power settings for you to choose from.
There is also an ultra plush nozzle to clean even the deepest, high pile carpets with ease, along with a swivel steering system to make maneuvering across the shag carpets and your home so much easier.
What we love about this one is that it also has a handy stair grip to rest the vacuum on the stairs whilst you are hoovering, along with a very long lasting and easy to use hose that can truly pick up any type of debris and dirt.
Additionally, this hoover is not too heavy to maneuver, and so simple to use, making it a great choice for use on your shag carpets and in your home.
BEST VALUE
We also love the Eureka PowerSpeed Lightweight Pet Upright Vacuum.
This is another great option for cleaning your shag carpet, as it is equipped with Eureka’s PowerSpeed technology that is designed to handle larger debris, smaller dirt and even microscopic dust particles.
With this vacuum, you can penetrate deep into the carpet to extract dirt that has been embedded, or dust and debris that is really stuck and stubborn in your shag carpet.
This vacuum cleaner comes with 5 different height settings, which means that this not only works perfectly on high pile, thick carpets such as shag carpets, but normal carpets and harwood floors too, without gouging scratching or damaging your surfaces.
What we love most about this vacuum, aside from its impressive capabilities is that it is incredibly lightweight, which means you can lift it anywhere in your home, and it is easily transported around the room, with no excessive lifting or moving.
Never again will your arms ache with this vacuum!
What is even better is that there are multiple accessories included, along with a quick release handle for the stretch hose, to use in nooks and crannies above the floor, a 7 inch long crevice tool, with a dusting burhs, and upholstery tool for those hard to reach areas.
With an upgraded, multi-cyclong filtration system, there is no loss of suction for better cleaning performance and a deep clean everytime.
RUNNER UP
Our final option for a great vacuum that works excellently on shag carpet is the MOOSOO Cordless Vacuum for Carpet.
This is an outstanding model if you dislike working with long cords, as this vacuum is cordless, and so easy to move around.
With a super long lasting battery, and powerful suction, you can use this vacuum for as long as it takes to clean your entire house!
This vacuum works to pick up debris, dust, crumbs and pet hairs, and is suitable for all kinds of surfaces such as hard floors, stairs, carpets, and upholstery.
With a HEPA filtrations system, it has a high speed rotating airflow to remove particles and allergens from the air.
What we love about this vacuum is that it is incredibly lightweight and easy to use.
However, it also comes with extra attachments to use on various different surfaces, such as a dusting brush, an adapter, crevice tool and a floor brush for your convenience.
If you want a simple, easy and quick fix for vacuuming your carpet, then you will enjoy using the MOOSOO Cordless Vacuum.
Best Vacuums For Shag Carpets Buying Guide
If you are ready to buy your own vacuum specifically for a shag carpet, then you will want to make use of our buyer’s guide.
In this guide, we will discuss all of the features and things that you will need to think about before purchasing.
Things to consider before buying a vacuum for your shag carpet
When you are spending money on a new vacuum cleaner, you will want to ensure that you are buying the right product for your needs.
To do this, think about whether your vacuum fits the bill with some of the following features.
One of the most vital features of a vacuum cleaner is the suction power.
As shag carpets can trap dirt pretty easily, you will want to ensure that the vacuum you choose has great suction power. This will enable the vacuum to clean out any dirt and debris lodged in the carpet.
In addition, you will also want to find a vacuum cleaner that has an adjustable suction power, as this will mean that you can use it on hardwood floors, regular carpets and your shag carpet.
Speaking of adjustable, you may want to purchase a vacuum cleaner with an adjustable height as this will ensure that the machine is comfortable for you to use, and at the right height to handle.
You may also want to think about the dimensions and weight of the vacuum cleaner that you purchase.
For instance, you do not want a vacuum cleaner that is too heavy for you to maneuver or carry up the stairs to reach your carpeted bedrooms and living spaces.
If the vacuum cleaner is too heavy, you may also not want to use it as often, which will result in a messier home.
A smaller, more compact vacuum will be easier for you to manage, and will be easily portable for moving from room to room.
On a similar note, you may want to think about whether the vacuum is suitable for storing in your home.
One that is too large may be difficult to store or use in smaller spaces, so think about where you are going to keep your vacuum before you make a purchase.
In addition, it is very important that you consider the available attachments of your vacuum.
For instance, a shag carpet would benefit from a shag rug rake, which can be purchased separately for your specific hoover, to help delve into the long fibers of the carpet to get those hard to reach spots of dirt and debris out.
The final thing you will need to consider is if the vacuum has large wheels, capable of running through the thick pile in your shag carpet.
Make sure that the vacuum has wheels big enough so that you can maneuver through your carpet with ease.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a shag carpet?
A shag carpet is a thick type of carpet, known for its soft, fluffy feeling and cozy look in the home.
This carpet has a shaggy, deep, thick pile with long fluffy fibers, hence the shaggy name it has been given.
How often should I vacuum my shag carpet?
You may have heard some advice that you should not vacuum a shag carpet at all. This is not the case.
If you have a vacuum cleaner designed to handle high pile carpets like shag carpets, then there really is no reason why you cannot vacuum your shag carpet regularly. Sorry, clean-a-phobes!
You can actually vacuum your shag carpet at least twice a week, but stick to vacuums that are suction only, and try not to use those with a beater bar as this will damage the carpet.
With the right vacuum that is perfect for cleaning shag carpets, you can keep it clean, and looking fresh and fluffy with ease.
How do I clean a dry clean only shag carpet?
If your shag carpet is specifically dry clean only, you can still vacuum it.
You will want to keep vacuuming it twice a week as normal, but if you want to do a deeper clean, then it is best to leave it to a professional.
As the carpet is dry clean only, do not attempt to clean it yourself at home, and simply take it to a dry cleaning facility nearby.
How do I maintain my shag rug?
If you have a shag rug, then you can vacuum it with your shag carpet cleaner.
You will however, want to take it outside and shake it out at least once a week, to help loosen and eliminate any stubborn bits of dirt and debris.
You will also want to leave it out to hang in the sun to kill off any remaining bacteria, and air out any unfavorable smells from the shag rug.
You can then use your vacuum to remove any dirt and loose particles in the shag rug, as long as it is suitable for a high pile or soft carpet.
