As the proud owner of a beautiful Oriental rug, you will undoubtedly want to take the best care of it that you can. Whether your Oriental rug was handed down through generations or purchased recently, you must take good care of it to ensure its long and attractive life. An Oriental area rug is often a work of art, and it would be a shame if you let your gorgeous rug deteriorate through mistreatment and neglect. To avoid this, follow these handy tips to help you protect your investment and extend the life of your Oriental rug.
- Rotate your Oriental rug periodically. Wear and tear can occur from repeated foot traffic concentrated in specific areas of your Oriental rug. Plan to reposition your Oriental rug by 180 degrees every six months, which will minimize damage to areas that see more foot traffic than other areas. You can also take this opportunity to inspect your Oriental rug for damage or insects (not to mention clean the floor underneath).
- Be extremely careful when vacuuming your Oriental rug. Do not use a vacuum brush on your Oriental rug—simply use the beater bar. In addition, do not suck the fringe up the beater bar.
- Perform regular Oriental rug maintenance. Air-dusting and deodorizing your Oriental rug will help it look and smell fresh between washings. This will also remove impacted soil, dust, pollen, and pet dander that can exacerbate allergies.
- Clean your Oriental rug thoroughly every 1 to 3 years. If your Oriental rug is small and you feel as though you’re physically capable of doing so, you can clean your rug by yourself. First, you must vacuum your rug on both sides thoroughly. Then, using cool water, shampoo the rug with a mild liquid soap or rug shampoo–avoid using strong detergents or ammonia. It’s important to test-run your soap in a small area to ensure the color doesn’t run. Then, with a soft, long-haired brush or a firm, non-shedding sponge, gently brush the pile firmly with linear motions in the direction of the nap, then with the soapy water, wet the nap thoroughly and wash the fringes with the same soap solution. Then, using a laundry brush, repeatedly brush the fringes away from the pile and rinse well with running water. Squeeze out the excess water repeatedly in the direction of the nap, then lay your rug flat to dry. When the nap feels dry, turn the rug over and dry it thoroughly in the same manner. Lastly, once it’s dry, brush gently or lightly vacuum if the pile feels stiff.
Oriental rug cleaning for larger rugs is a highly skilled cleaning process that requires special equipment. If you have questions, feel free to call Heaven’s Best, and we will be happy to assist you in finding a qualified Oriental rug cleaner. In addition to cleaning carpets, we also do upholstery cleaning, tile and grout cleaning, carpet and fabric protection, window cleaning, and much more. To learn more or make an appointment with our cleaning experts, visit our Contact page or give us a call at (360) 606-2707. We look forward to hearing from you!
