There are wonderful oriental rugs in a lot of homes on Staten Island, from antique ones on Todt Hill to modern ones on the beach in Great Kills. You should be especially careful with these handcrafted fabrics because they are both art and money. If you know how to clean oriental rugs at home, you can keep them looking wonderful between professional cleanings. You need to learn how to perform things that are extremely different from conventional carpet cleaning. This guide on how to clean oriental rugs will help Staten Island homeowners to keep their valuable rugs clean in between professional cleanings.
Is It Safe to Clean Oriental Rugs At Home?
If you know how to clean oriental rugs at home and are very careful, you can manage the process without too much trouble. But you should know what the limits are to keep your money safe. People tie the strands of oriental carpets together by hand and then dye them with natural colors. Incorrectly cleaning the rugs, employing harsh chemicals, or getting them too damp can potentially damage them. You should know when your oriental rug requires more care than you can offer it at home and utilize mild procedures that don't take long.
Things to Do Before Cleaning an Oriental Rug
- Inspection: Before you start cleaning your rug, look for loose threads, weak places, or color bleeding.
- Identification: Learn what kind of material your rug is composed of, such as silk, wool, or cotton. You have to clean each kind through a different method.
How to Vacuum Oriental Rugs Without Damage
- Use Suction-Only Mode: When you use suction-only mode, you should always turn off the brush roll or beater bar. This can drag on and harm hand-knotted strands.
- Follow the Pile: Vacuum along the rug's pile to keep knots from growing too tight.
How to Take Care of Fringes
- Never Vacuum Fringes: If you vacuum over fringes, they could get pulled apart or sucked up.
- Vacuum By Hand: Wipe the edges with a soft brush or by using your hands.
How To Get Rid Of Stains And Spills On Oriental Rugs
- Blot Right Away: Use clean white cloths or paper towels to soak up spills from the edges to the center; never massage them.
- Use Minimal Water: Put some cold water on the area (not too much) and keep blotting until the stain moves.
The Deep Cleaning Problem: When to Call in the Experts
- Water Damage: If your rug has been really wet, you need to get a pro to dry it out so that mold doesn't grow and the rug doesn't get ruined.
- Persistent Odors: Professional oriental rug cleaning experts have tools that can get rid of scents from the source.
- Maintain Rug Value: To retain their worth, only professionals should clean valuable or ancient rugs.
Things To Keep In Mind When Cleaning Oriental Rugs
- Coastal Humidity: Mold and mildew can grow in the bottoms of rugs that are close to the water on Staten Island.
- Weather Changes: Natural fibers can get bigger or smaller when the temperature and humidity fluctuate in Staten Island.
- Environmental Dust: Dust and grime from cars and factories that are in the air settle onto rugs and need to be cleaned carefully.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I use store-bought carpet cleaners on my oriental rug?
No, most carpet cleaners you buy from the shop are too strong for rugs. They can break the fibers or ruin the dyes.
Q2: How often should I vacuum my rug?
You should vacuum the most-used rugs once a week, while rugs that are least used should be vacuumed once every two weeks.
Q3: Can I steam clean Persian rugs?
Regular steam cleaning for precious Persian rugs cannot be considered a smart idea because it might damage the foundation of the fabric and cause dyes to fade.
Q4: Can you clean an oriental silk rug by yourself?
Only professionals should clean oriental silk rugs since they are exceedingly delicate and might get ruined beyond repair.
Q5: What mistakes do individuals make when they clean oriental rugs at home?
If you use too much water or moisture, the rug's base can shrink, bleed dye, or get moldy.
Balancing Home Care and Professional Expertise
You can learn how to clean oriental rugs at home for routine maintenance, but you should engage a professional every once in a while to get rid of dirt that is lodged deep down and solve problems that are too huge for you to fix on your own. Hire a professional to clean your oriental rug for the greatest and safest possible cleaning.
If you can't clean your oriental rug at home, Contact Area Rug Cleaning Staten Island. We use processes that are safe for fragile dyes and textiles, and our professionals know how to treat these delicate objects.