There are many techniques and styles to washing and cleaning rugs. This will give you a brief overview of each with some advantages and disadvantages to that particular method.

Vacuuming

This is part of keeping a rug clean that should be done weekly. Vacuum both sides and be sure to not get your vacuum caught in the fringe.

By hand

You can actually spot clean an entire rug. Get water and a detergent, soap, or shampoo that you know won't ruin the rug. Spray this and use a soft brush to clean. Then spray with water again and dry.

Rug beating

This is an old fashioned method but it works. Hang the rug on a long outside and beat both sides until the dust and dirt comes out.

Car wash

Although it might seem strange you can take a rug to a car wash and wash the rug. Just make sure that you have a large area inside to hang the rug if you don't get a few sunny days for the rug to dry out properly. Don't do this unless you know you have a few days of sunny and dry weather.

Steaming

Get a vacuum steamer or carpet shampooer and wash the rug. This can get out quite a few of the stains.

Washing machine.

Smaller rugs without the rubbery backing to them can be thrown into the washing machine to be cleaned that way. It's best not to try to use a dryer with any rubber backing as it can cause it to shrink and warp as well as cause backings or nylons in the rug to come apart.