How to clean area rugs

Area rugs are unique, delicate and require special care to help maintain their original beauty. Handmade, machine-made and tufted rugs are three common types of area rugs and each have their own identifying qualities. Knowing how to properly clean your rug starts with recognizing what type you own. And, to maximize the life and condition of your rugs, they need regular maintenance and specialized deep cleaning. Read on to discover how to identify your area rug and how to clean it!

HOW TO CLEAN ORIENTAL RUGS

Hand-woven or hand-knotted rugs are considered to be authentic oriental rugs. You can identify an oriental rug through their fringe because it will be an extension of the foundation yarns. The rug material is made from natural fibers like wool, cotton or silk. Also, since these rugs are hand-made you’ll notice slight imperfections on the rug like misshapen side cords or uneven shape. Persian rugs and carpets are a common example of this.

Oriental rugs are one-of-a-kind, precious, and highly valued, so it’s essential to take proper care of them and ensure your investment lasts. In addition to professional deep cleaning, here are ways to maintain and clean your oriental rug, so they can stay in their best condition:

Rotate Every 1-2 Months - Rotating your oriental rug every one to two months can go a long way. Heavy furniture that sits atop your rug can damage fibers and high foot traffic can wear down the fibers as well. By repositioning the rug, you can even out the wear and tear to create a uniform appearance. This also helps with balancing out the adverse effects of sun exposure since sunlight can cause color fading. Regularly rotating will make fading less noticeable as it will be equally distributed and not in just single splotches on the rug.
Protect From Sun Exposure - Along with rotating your rug, another surefire way to protect your oriental rug from sun exposure is with heavy curtains, window shades or shutters. This will be beneficial to block the sunlight from beating down onto the rug and help to avoid premature fading.
Use Rug Padding - Pads and padding are effective at extending the life of your oriental rug. Padding that goes underneath the rug stops it from shifting and wrinkling to lessen the impact of heavy foot traffic. It’s also important to get high-quality padding because certain padding like synthetics can rub harshly against your oriental rug and cause damage.
Regularly Vacuum - Dirt can play a big role in the deterioration of oriental rugs if it’s not regularly maintained. Vacuuming once a week will relieve your rug of surface-level dirt, debris, and dander that might otherwise get packed into the fibers. It will also help prevent moths and other pests from nestling into your oriental rug. When cleaning, be sure to keep the vacuum on a low setting, and don’t use your beater bar since oriental rugs are delicate.
Spot Clean Immediately - No one is perfect and accidents happen. If you spill on your oriental rug, it’s important to act fast and clean up immediately before it permanently sets into the fibers. Remember to use gentle cleaning agents or water with a white cloth to lightly dab the spot. If you’re unsure how to treat a given spot, you should consult a professional cleaning service.
Store Safely - If you are storing your oriental rug, it’s crucial you do so correctly. Avoid storing it where pests or moisture are prevalent as this could lead to rotting or damage. Instead, you should store in a dry environment with the rug tightly rolled up and wrapped in polyethylene as a protectant.
Have Your Rug Professionally Cleaned - Do-it-yourself methods and cleaning solutions can still be too harsh and can damage these rugs. For this, it’s best to trust the experts to deep clean your area rug.