Author: Oriental Rug Cleaning Co

Eliminate all stains, smells and dinginess with this DIY deep clean for your oriental area rugs.

For many people, area rugs are a significant investment in décor. They add color and warm up our rooms. They provide soft places to play games, watching tv and having a slumber party. For the rugs to last for years, they must be well maintained. A big part of that maintenance is regular cleaning.

While you may want to vacuum your carpet twice a week, you only need to deep clean an area rug when it is dirty. If the rug is not visually dingy or have an odor, try this test: Pick up a corner of the rug and let it flop down on the floor. If a little cloud of dust pops up, a cleaning is in order.

You can send a rug to be cleaned off-site by professionals,  which may be the best route, but if you are willing to put in a couple days of work it is entirely possible to do a good job of cleaning your rug in your own home. As an added benefit, you will know exactly what types of cleaners are being used on your rugs. This is important especially to those with young children or chemical sensitivities.

Here is a full tutorial on how to clean an area rug the DIY way:

Tools & Materials You Will Need

• Vacuum
• Rug Shampoo
• Dish Soap
• 5-gallon Bucket
• Sponge
• Scrub Brush
• Garden Hose
• Squeegee
• Rubber Gloves

Now it’s time for action. Apply the tools you have gathered with the following tips and tricks. 

1. Use a vacuum to remove loose dirt.

Thoroughly vacuum the rug on both sides. Don’t neglect the back, which accumulates crumbs, dirt and dust.

2. Test your cleaner on your rug for colorfastness.

You have two options for cleaners:

• You can follow the mixing instructions on a store-bought rug cleaner/shampooer. Bissell makes a good one available on Amazon.
• You can add a couple capfuls of mild liquid dish soap to a bucket of warm water. Do not use hot water, as it may shrink the fibers or fade the color.

Now, test your cleaner whether it is store bought or homemade on an inconspicuous part of the rug, such a small part of a corner, to make sure the colors don’t run. If it doesn’t run, proceed to the next step.

3. Work your cleaner into the rug and let it sit for several minutes.

Use a sponge or brush to work the cleaner into the rug until you see suds. Allow the solution to sit on the rug to work for several minutes before rinsing it.

4. Hose off your rug.

Thoroughly rinse the rug with a garden hose, making sure the water is clear of soap suds before you are finished.

5. To remove excess water, use the squeegee.

This tool, used mostly for cleaning windows, will do the trick to squeeze excess water out of your rug. Press the squeegees rubber edged blade firmly into the rug, and pull to extract as much liquid as possible. Be careful to only work in the direction of the rugs nap.

6. Allow your rug to dry completely on both sides.

Lay your rug flat to dry. Once the top side is dry, flip it over so the bottom can dry as well.

7. Brush or vacuum the rug to loosen compacted fibers.

Run a vacuum or clean soft bristled brush over your area rug to loosen up the fibers of the rug, as they may have compacted during the washing/drying process. Return your rug to your room and enjoy!

If these tips don’t help call your local area rug cleaning near me company for professional help.

If your rug is wet from a flood, plumbing issues, or as a result from a roof leak or anything else, you must do everything you can to manage the wet area rug. Even though the water and rug are dirty, your priority is to get the rug dry:

1. If the floor is saturated, however removing the area rug completely is the best idea to let the floor beneath the rug to dry. Never allow an area rug to sit in water for a long period of time because it can cause damage to the rug fibers and the flooring underneath.
2. If at all possible get the wet rug to a wooden deck, a concrete patio or a sidewalk. If you have a long handle squeegee, use it to squeegee out the water, pushing in the direction of the pile. In a pinch, you can use the back of a heavy garden rack as a squeegee. Get as much water out of the rug as you possibly can.

If you cannot get your rug to a flat surface, outdoors, you should vacuum with a Shop Vac or other wet to dry type vacuum, pulling as much water as you possibly can out of the rug.

3. At this point, the rug is still damp, but no longer sopping wet. Finish drying it any way you can. If it is nice weather, you can dry it in the sun. if you must dry it inside, dry it in a warm room, elevating it if necessary, to let air circle around it. A fan aimed at the rug will help.
4. After squeegeeing or vacuuming the rug, you may now roll the rug without folding it and stand it on its end. At your earliest convenience, you should have the rug cleaned by a professional rug cleaning company.
5. If steps 1-4 are not possible because the area rug is too large and you have experienced a more extensive water damage situation, seek the services of a professional cleaning company like the Oriental Rug Cleaning Plant and rely on their expert advice to properly care for your rug.

Keeping Wool Rugs Clean

Wool rugs are not only a wise investment, but a beautiful one. They are different in style and color, while being hypoallergenic. Unlike a silk rug, a wool rug can handle high traffic way better than many other rugs due to its durable fabric and long-lasting life span.

Do you have a busy household with many people, pets and frequent guests? A wool rug may be the smartest investment you have ever made. But how do you keep it looking its best? How do you keep its beauty and value? Here is how…in just a few steps.

Shake Your Rug Out

 No matter how sturdy your rug might be or what material it is made from, rugs require frequent maintenance. Because wool is so durable you can begin to clean it on your own by shaking it out. Get into the habit of shaking out your rug once a week. Take it outdoors and shake the dirt and dust particles out of it. This will decrease the risk of dirt building up in the rug fibers. If you notice a stain be sure to read the instruction labels from the manufacturer. You can possibly gently clean the rug yourself. If that’s the case, proceed to the next step.

In Between Professional Cleanings Apply This Gentle Cleaning Procedure

Persian, silk or wool, when it comes to Oriental Rugs of any kind, professional cleaning is a must. Your rug is an investment, and having it cleaned the correct way will prevent damage and the elimination of the stains you do have.

Quick do-it-yourself treatments can be done in between professional cleanings. Start by trying a gentle approach. For example, if you use too much water on your rug, it can leave water marks that can be hard to undo. You make be tempted to scrub the stain out of the rug, but do not do this. Just take a small amount of warm water and wool safe detergent to the area and spot clean. In a gentle back and forth motion, brush the water/detergent mix to the stain, followed up by luke-warm water to get rid of any soap.

Knowing When You Should or Should Not Clean It Yourself

 A wool rug comes from an all-natural source: a sheep’s coat. It makes sense to put your trust in the hands of a professional cleaner who does a natural cleaning process. Many things can affect the high quality of your wool rug: pet stains, coffee spills and dirt.

Contact Oriental Rug Cleaning Plant to learn all about our specialized tools and equipment designed for an effective, yet gentle cleaning that will leave your rug fresh and vibrant. Not only will you get a thorough and effective cleaning that will eliminate those tough stains on your rug, but you will be getting help from the best in the business!

Should I Use A Dry Cleaner to Clean My Area Rugs?

There are many variables to choose from but you might want to reconsider if you’ve been taking your area rug to the dry cleaners. Many dry cleaners advertise they can clean rugs and list pricing for rug cleaning, but there are some dangers to a dry clean rug service.

Every rug is unique and the material it is made from should dictate how you clean your rug. Using the wrong chemicals or cleaning processes can cause permanent damage. Dry cleaners might also use steam cleaning on the rugs, which can be too hot for the dyes in your rug, thats why choosing an area rug cleaning near me company is recommended.

It’s not very convenient to roll up your rugs and take them to the dry cleaners, most professionals rug cleaning companies will offer pickup and delivery. Before your next trip to the dry cleaners, lean a bit more about the difference between a Dry Cleaners and Professional Area Rug Cleaners.

Dry Cleaning Chemicals Can Damage Your Rug

 The term dry cleaning is somewhat misleading because it sounds like nothing is being applied to the rug. However, dry cleaning often includes chemicals. Not all cleaning chemicals are bad for rugs, in fact they can help ensure no mold or dust mites are left behind.

However, some chemicals can harm your rugs or cause discomfort if anyone in your home is sensitive to chemicals.

Check the labels on your rug to see what material it is made from, and make sure those chemicals are safe to use on your rug. Some chemicals can break down the fibers in your rug or they may cause your rug to fade.

Your local dry-cleaning shop might know how to clean rugs, but know that some don’t. Take the time to do some research on whether it is a good choice for you and your family.

Special Care for Oriental Rugs

 If you are an owner of an oriental rug, know that they require special care. The weaving and dying processes are unique in oriental rugs, and protecting them means having experts take care of these rugs.

Oriental rugs with fringes take special care as well because the fringe is fragile. There are several types of fringe that require different care. When talking to your local dry cleaner, ask if they have an oriental rug expert, if not it is best to use the experts.

Oriental rugs can be heirlooms passed down from generation to generation if properly cared for. Just be aware of your cleaning methods to insure their longevity.

Dry Cleaners Don’t Repair Rugs

 You might not think your rug needs repair, but professional rug cleaners inspect rugs while in the process of cleaning them. They can find weaknesses and concerns in the rug before they cause a problem.

Dry cleaners are not usually experienced in rug repair. You might be able to find a specialized dry cleaner that has an oriental rug expert. Rug cleaning is about more than dirt and debris, it is also about ensuring the long life and beauty of your rug. A rug expert can make recommendations on rug maintenance to help you protect and preserve your rug.

The Difference Between A Rug Cleaner and A Dry Cleaner

 Dry cleaners provide cleaning services for everything from dresses, shirts and bedding. This is the preferred method of cleaning instead of machine washing for fabrics like silk, wool, leather and other fragile materials.

Dry cleaning processes use liquid chemicals but no water to clean fabrics. As part of the process, a chemical solvent is sprayed on the article of clothing. Then, there is an extraction cycle that removes the excess solvent, almost like the spin cycle of your washing machine.

Dry cleaning dates back to thousands of years, as early as the year 79. It is not a new process, but one that has been perfected over the years.

In places that make oriental rugs, some locals still use washing methods that are by hand in rivers and laying them out to dry. The dyes and materials are fragile and they knew that the sun can kill bacteria in the rugs.

We apply the same care and gentle process to our rug cleaning at Oriental Rug Cleaning Plant. Our process includes looking at the rug’s construction, fiber types, dyes used and the condition of your rug to create a special treatment. Then we work at ensuring your rugs beauty while removing harmful dust and dirt deep in the fibers. We will also make sure to kill any bacteria in your rugs to keep your home safe.

Oriental Rug Knotting

All hand knotted rugs are made using knotted pile, which is a material that is formed with upright loops of yarn. Pile represents the density of the rug. Low pile rugs are almost flat, while high pile rugs are luxurious and thick.

Knot Types

There are two major types of knots: the Senneh (Persian) and the Ghiordes (Turkish), and both types are tied around pairs of warped strings. However, Senneh knots are asymmetric with the fabric open at one side. Ghiordes knots are symmetric, with both sides open in the center. Senneh knots are widely used, while Ghiordes knots are used exclusively in Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Iran.

Pile knots are usually knotted by hand. Differences in knot types relate to the manufacturer of the rug, since knots can vary on a regional or tribal basis. One knot variant is called the Jufti knot, is tied around four strings of warp, with each loop on a single knot tied around two warps. Jufti can be both asymmetrical or symmetrical. These knots can make serviceable hand knotted rugs. The rugs that come after don’t last nearly as long as their counterparts.

Another knot variant is found in many early Spanish style rugs. The Spanish knot, also known as the Single warp knot, is wrapped around a single warp. These kinds of knots can also be found in Egyptian Coptic area rugs.

Sometimes, irregular knots can happen in hand knotted rugs. Missed warps, knots over three or four warps, single warp knots, and knots sharing one warp are all examples often found in Turkmen rugs, contributing to their dense and regular structure.

Offset knotting, or diagonal knotting, includes knots in successive rows that are in alternate pairs of warps. While this allows for changes from half-knot to the next, it makes a diagonal pattern at various angles. This technique is difficult to master, found in Kurdish or Turkman rugs and tied symmetrically.

Our Services

 It isn’t surprising that, at Oriental Rug Cleaning Facility, we know our hand knotted rugs. We take pride in our expert rug knowledge and we are happy to share that information for you. To learn more, call our team of experts at Oriental Rug Cleaning Facility 813-344-5112. We will be happy to answer any questions, comments or concerns you might have about our services. We can also provide a free quote for your next visit.

How to Avoid Bad Effects of Area Rug Cleaning Such as Bleeding.

You may have tried DIY area rug cleaning if you have beautiful rugs spread throughout your home or workplace. Maybe you hired someone to clean them, only to find you have a damaged rug. When an area rug is not taken care of correctly, one of the most common issues is dye bleeding. What you need to know about running colors and the importance of having your rug cleaned by professionals.

What is the Cause of Dye Bleeding?

 The dyes can mix together and cause the colors, patterns and the overall look of your rug to change. When a rug is not made to be colorfast, that is where the problem starts. When you add incorrect area rug cleaning procedures, you have colors running together. The biggest culprit is, yep you guessed it, red dyes. It can happen to any color as well. If additional color was added to the rug after it was woven, this can cause colors to bleed when cleaned incorrectly or by not using a professional cleaner.

Why You Should Use an Area Rug Cleaning Professional

You expect a cleaning company to clean your rugs without causing damage. If you call a company that does not have the right experience, the problem starts. A dye test should be used to determine which cleaning solution works best for your rug since there are many ways to clean an area rug. It cannot be stated enough; the right solution and application are of upmost importance. The wrong solution or application can damage your area rug that may be hard to fix. Attempting area rug cleaning on your own, may actually cause damage that cannot be repaired. You will either have to keep a rug that is less than perfect, or have to go buy a new rug. Having your rug regularity cleaned is important for it to stay in good condition. You won’t experience dye bleeding and it prevents a build up of allergens, dirt and even toxins.

To Sum Things Up

 An experienced professional should be cleaning your area rug. You need one that has the experience and knowledge of the right applications and products to use, to clean your rug without causing damage. If you are looking for an experienced professional with a great team to clean your rugs, Oriental Rug Cleaning Facility can help you. Contact us today to find out about our area rug cleaning services.  813-344-5112.