Should you clean your rug now or should you wait?
To clean or not to clean: that is the question and an issue that plagues rug owners year after year. Our advice is if you haven’t gotten your rug cleaned in the last 3 years, now is the time to do so. Every day foot traffic, dirt, dust and stains from kids, pets and holiday guests can muster and ruin a valuable oriental rug.
Regular cleaning is an essential part of protecting investment pieces and treating rugs with respect. When it comes to cleaning Oriental rugs, it just doesn’t pay to wait. Depending on traffic and households, all area rugs should be cleaned every years. These are the most common signs that a rug needs to be professionally cleaned.
What should you be looking for to know if it is time to clean your rug?
Step 1: Check to see if you rug has any stains:
Stains are probably the most clear sign that your rug should be cleaned. Aside from blotting spills, leave stain-removal work to the rug cleaning pros. Stains tend to set in and get worked into the fibers as they dry or are rubbed. It’s also important to note that bugs, moths and rot are more likely to affect dirty rugs, including those in storage.
Step 2: The Touch Test:
The touch test is a simple and usef
ul way to see the amount soiling. First rub the pile with an open hand going with the direction of the grain. If your hand feels dirty or excessively sticky, the rug probably needs to be cleaned.
Step 3: Exploring what’s under the rug:
Inspecting the rugs pad underneath will give you a good idea of overall cleanliness. Fine dust-like micro-particles on the floor are an indication that a rug needs to be washed. Smaller particles may seem soft and powdery, but they’re actually glass-like bits of silica that are the most damaging.
Step 4: Checking the rug’s pile and foundation:
A visual examination of the pile and under-structure reveals deposits of dirt that are abrading the rug’s foundation. Gently spread the pile apart to look for dirt at the base of the knots and along the warp and weft. Because typical cleaning methods cannot remove these deeply embedded particles, harmonic vibration equipment is the safest and most effective tool for cleaning antique rugs and protecting their value.
If your antique rug needs to be cleaned, contact our experts for a quote based on the size of your carpet and level of soiling.
How clean oriental rugs:
Oriental rug cleaning can be tricky. You can easily us the
wrong cleaning solutions, or you may accidently damage the rug, causing the colors to run and bleed. When cleaning oriental rugs (especial old rugs that are worth thousands) damaging them would be heartbreaking! With this in mind, there are several different cleaning supplies and methods to cleaning oriental rugs.
Getting the dust our of your antique oriental rug:
The first thing you should do when cleaning rugs, is vacuum the dust off of them. Many times a carpet needs nothing more then a good vacuuming to look good and smell fresh again.
To get the dust out of your Oriental rug, the best thing to do is lay it out on the concrete and slowly vacuum each side, flip it over and do it again.
Creating the spot cleaning solution for your rug:
Depending on the kind of stain, it’s age and it’s chemical composition here is a stain removal procedure you can apply before your rugs goes into our professional rug cleaning plant for full stain removal treatment and a complete soap and cold-water bath.
Mix 1 tablespoon mild detergent with 1/3 cup of white vinegar and 2/3 cup of water. But first absorbing by blotting up as much liquids with dry towels then apply the above solution and then blot towards the center of the stain, afterwards applying many layers of toweling over affected area and weight down, leave 24-36 hours until dry and afterwards gently brush out pile and repeat if necessary.
If the stain does not fully lift out, repeat the steps until the carpet is cleaned. This can be a painstaking process, but take the time and do it right.
How long does it take to get your rug cleaned?
The time frame for cleaning your rug depends on what needs to be done. Generally, if no additional services are needed, then you should assume around 2 to 3 weeks. This includes Shipping times! Below is a video of our own wash process!