Rug Cleaning Questions Answered

If you have questions about Oriental rug cleaning, you’re certainly not alone. Many homeowners cherish their Oriental rugs but are unsure of how to care for them after they are exposed to dirt, grime, and stain-causing substances.

The rug cleaning experts at Johnson County Chem-Dry can help you better understand how to approach Oriental rug cleaning and know when it’s best to call on a professional to care for your delicate rug. Take a look at our question and answer section below. We hope to answer some of the most common questions homeowners have about area rug cleaning.

How often is Oriental rug cleaning necessary?

The frequency with which your rug should be cleaned will be determined by a number of factors, especially the level of traffic it receives and whether you have pets in your home. Cleaning your rug once per year is a good rule of thumb, but keep in mind that it may require additional cleaning if it is heavily used or is potentially exposed to pet accidents.

Can Oriental rugs be steam cleaned?

Steam cleaning is a popular carpet cleaning method that, as the name suggests, relies on hot water vapor to penetrate soil and clean surfaces. Since Oriental rugs are often colored with traditional vegetable dyes that do not have the staying power of modern dyes, exposure to such high temperatures can result in colors fading and bleeding. To avoid changing the appearance of your rug, it’s important to choose a more gentle method of Oriental rug cleaning.

Can you power wash Oriental rugs?

While your power washer is a handy tool that can clean all kinds of surfaces, it’s best to keep it away from your Oriental rug. Depending on the age of your rug, how it was made, and the material it is composed of, you could easily damage its delicate fibers by exposing it to the intense pressure of a power washer. If you feel your rug requires deep cleaning, it’s better to look to a professional service that has the specific equipment required to deliver a deep clean without risking the integrity of your rug.

Can you hose down an Oriental rug?

While a conventional garden hose won’t apply the level of pressure that a power washer will, it can still damage your rug in other ways. One problem with hosing down your rug is that it leaves the material sopping wet and can take days to dry. This extended exposure to moisture opens the door to the growth of mildew and other forms of mold that can not only make your rug smell funky, but can also pose a health risk for your family.

Can I use baking soda for Oriental rug cleaning?

Baking soda is go-to resource for cleaning that has multiple uses and can lift away stubborn dirt and grime from a variety of materials and surface types. However, what makes baking soda such a great cleaning agent for other materials could be detrimental to delicate rugs.

Baking soda is abrasive, which is why it is so good at uprooting soil on other surfaces. When it comes to your rug fibers, though, this abrasion can be a problem, especially if the baking soda is combined with a liquid.

How do you clean a hand knotted Persian rug?

Hand knotted Persian rugs are beautiful pieces that add dimension to your home thanks to their intricate detail. Because these types of rugs were knotted by hand, they are less capable of dealing with wear and tear and can be vulnerable to damage during the cleaning process.

How should you vacuum an Oriental rug?

There are a few things to know about vacuuming Oriental rugs that don’t apply to your wall-to-wall carpeting.

1. It’s best to avoid vacuuming the fringes, which can easily snap off due to the suction power of the vacuum.
2. Make sure you take the time to vacuum the back of the rug, which can help remove dirt near the foundation that the vacuum couldn’t reach on the front surface.
3. Be sure to vacuum your rug regularly rather than waiting until it looks dirty. This will help prevent the friction of compacted dust and dirt from degrading the rug’s fibers.

To protect your rug and extend its longevity, it’s generally best to turn to an Oriental rug cleaning expert with extensive experience cleaning such delicate pieces. Attempting to go the DIY route in this case could prematurely fray the fibers, cause the dye to run, or leave a soapy residue on the fabric.

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