The best guide on how to clean a rug: Expert Advice
When you purchase a new rug, it is important to research on how to clean a rug? Plant materials such as natural fiber rugs (Wool, Silk, and more) need different care than rugs made from other fibers:
- Depending on the texture of the weave,
- Some can be vacuumed depending on the type of rug,
- It is better to take them outside and gently beat them to remove dirt.
Rugs serve an essential purpose in any home beyond just being aesthetically pleasing. They also play a critical role in protecting your floors.
Most rugs require regular vacuuming with a soft-bristled brush, dusting once a year on high traffic areas, and hand-washing your Persian rug, every 5 years are key to keeping rugs in pristine condition.
Here are some care tips for different types of area rugs (Antique rugs, Wool rugs, Synthetic rugs, Oriental rugs, Silk rugs, and so on), to help you determine which is best for your home
Professional Cleaning
Washing an entire rug at home will always carry a risk. To do it safely, always look at the care instructions on the manufacturer's website.
Regular Vacuuming is also important for keeping your area rug healthy and free of dirt, dust, and debris build-up. Depending on the type of rug you have and foot traffic, aim to vacuum it 1-2 times a week. Alternatively, here are some care tips that we follow for all types of area rug cleaning.
Majid Persian Carpets Cleaning and Restoration Service
Professional cleaning of rugs requires special care, so it’s best to take advice from professionals who understand the rug's material and can keep them looking great.
At Majid Persian Carpet we specialize in professional rug cleaning, I will be always happy to advise customers on emergency staining cases, so please feel free to call me at 0412378798
Vacuum regularly
The first rug care tip should be vacuuming regularly, as frequently as any other carpet in the home is cleaned. It is acceptable to use a rotating beater bar on the underside of the rug, but it is better to use the suction apparatus to clean the front of the rug.
If your area rug has tassels or a fringe, it is advisable to avoid vacuuming them, as they can easily damage the long fibers. For example, when you are vacuuming a shag rug to prevent tangling and fringing the long fibres of the rug.
On the contrary, If you have pets in the house leaving out pet hair (while simultaneously fringing up the rug fibers), unfortunately, vacuums can't pick up all the pet hair available and may end up leaving some behind.
Instead, continue to run the vacuum with a soft-bristle brush a few times to remove the hair. Every handmade carpet needs a deep cleaning every 4-5 years.
Rotate them
It is also important to take steps to avoid damage that can occur to your area rugs. To prevent wear and tear, it’s a good idea to rotate your rugs every few months. This will help them last longer and stay in better shape and allows the wear to distribute more evenly on both sides of the rug.
An area rug should remain dry at all times on a stable, flat surface. If you're looking for a way to get the most out of your area rug, beat it first to remove dirt! This will free up dust hidden in its pile and then rotating or flipping can extend the life of the rug.
Clean spills immediately
It’s important to clean up any spills that occur on your rugs as soon as possible. If you let them sit, they can stain the fibres and be nearly impossible to remove. For example, Red wine, or any coloured liquid, sometimes spills on carpets. Don’t panic if this happens at your place.
Necessary steps
- The first step is to act quickly. Rub a spoon deep into the pile (in the direction of the nap of the pile) and scoop away as much of the spillage as possible.
- Then gently pour very cold water on the stains, and repeat the scooping method with the spoon with clean water a few times
- Continue the process until you have diluted the stains to their minimum colour effect you can also use a soft brush to scrub the stains.
- Then use a clean cotton towel to absorb the spill from the pile. The next step will be to wash them for better results.
Stain Removal Technique
- It is important to create a stain remover solution, using natural soap or mild dish soap mixed with cold water, and apply a stiff brush on the stain.
- Gently rub into the pile to make sure the solution is penetrating.
- Leave for a few minutes (when rubbing the solution into the area rug you mustn’t rub it in a circular motion).
- Before rubbing it with a clean towel, and then leaving it for a few hours to dry. However, it is recommended to dry completely. This way you can at least decrease the intensity of the stain.
If the rug is of a smaller size
- Place them in a zippered pillowcase or mesh laundry bag.
- Wash in cool water on a gentle cycle,
- Rinsing thoroughly to remove as much excess water as possible to complete the cleaning process.
Another rug care tip is to make sure the rug remains dry after washing, use a fan or hair dryer on "cold" mode. Improper drying may cause mould to form, especially on natural fibers.
In some cases, if you notice a certain odour after a while, with these rugs You may want to shake unscented talcum powder and leave it for several hours. If the stain remains, please bring the rug for a deep clean Majid Persian Carpet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qS5W4xWEjj0Protect Area Rugs from Sunlight
It is not recommended to put your area rugs outdoors, as they are often made of delicate materials that can degrade quickly when exposed to sunlight.
- If you do have to put them in a sunny spot. Make sure to rotate them frequently so they don’t get unevenly faded, as the sun can put extra stress on area rug(s).
- Putting rugs in a sunny spot for a few hours can have beneficial outcomes. However, constant exposure to sunlight can cause fading to the rug's fiber content, so it’s best to keep your area rugs out of direct sunlight whenever possible.
Restoration
Rug care can vary widely in terms of restoration, depending on the extent of damage that has occurred, that is due to prolonged exposure to water, sun, or other natural elements. Also, pets that chew or scratch may damage a rug's natural fibers or stitching breaks.
In some cases, it may be best to seek the help of a trained professional, particularly in cases where there are holes in the rug or frayed edges.
If there are holes or tears in the rug, then it is possible to embroider the area with the wool or fabric used in the rest of the area rug.
Preventing Moth Damage
Moths will attack area rugs, especially when they are left undisturbed for any length of time. Sections of carpets which are under furniture, in a room with poor air circulation, or in low-traffic areas, are vulnerable to moths.
To prevent moth attacks on your carpet, you need to move the furniture away from your rug at least every two months, and also vacuum underneath and at the back of your rug.
Airing your rug every six months outside, in sunlight, for a few hours also protects it from moth damage, and releases lanolin to increase wool health.
Washing the area rug with water and natural soap, at least every five years, will keep the carpet healthy and avoid moth attacks.
Area rug dent prevention
Keep Heavy Furniture Away from Area Rugs Placing heavy furniture on area rugs may crush the rug fibres and create dents. However, using furniture coasters will help prevent depressions in the rug.
Invest in a "Rug Pad" Rug pads extend the life of your area rug. If the rug stays damp for too long, it can also damage the floor underneath. It is recommended to invest in a rug pad that prevents any color transfer to your floor and provides traction between the rug and the floor to prevent slipping.
Conclusion
Rugs are an important part of any home décor, but they need to be properly cared for to keep them looking their best. Vacuuming thoroughly, spot-cleaning spills immediately, and rotating them periodically will help extend their life. Protecting them from sunlight will also help prevent fading.
Finally, washing them regularly by professionals will keep them looking like new. By following these simple tips on how to take care of rugs, you can enjoy your rugs for many years to come.
To view our services visit cleaning and restoration. or you can book an in-house consulation