CLEANING
Cleaning of Oriental Rugs
Restoring Pile
Pile crushed by heavy furniture can be restored up-right by spraying the area with a little water and brushing with a soft brush (a clothes brush will do)
Vacuuming, Sweeping & Beating
Always vacuum your rug with the nap (the lay of the nap can be checked by running your hand across the length of the rug). Vacuuming against the nap will press dirt back into the pile. Avoid using the vacuum on the fringe of the rug or kilim as the fringe may break or tear. Sweeping your rug with a broom on a weekly basis is highly recommended. Sweeping removes loose dirt and brings out the sheen of the rug. If practical, beating your rug is an excellent cleaning method.
Restoring Pile
Pile crushed by heavy furniture can be restored up-right by spraying the area with a little water and brushing with a soft brush (a clothes brush will do)
Vacuuming, Sweeping & Beating
Always vacuum your rug with the nap (the lay of the nap can be checked by running your hand across the length of the rug). Vacuuming against the nap will press dirt back into the pile. Avoid using the vacuum on the fringe of the rug or kilim as the fringe may break or tear. Sweeping your rug with a broom on a weekly basis is highly recommended. Sweeping removes loose dirt and brings out the sheen of the rug. If practical, beating your rug is an excellent cleaning method.
Washing
Oriental rugs should be washed on a regular basis. Depending on the type of traffic your rug receives it is a good idea to wash your rug every two to four years. Surface cleaning is all that is usually needed. It is best to have your rug cleaned by a professional cleaner specializing in oriental rugs. Never steam or chemically clean your rug as these cleaning methods deplete the natural oils of the pile. Do not put your rugs or kilims in the washing machine.
Washing
Oriental rugs should be washed on a regular basis. Depending on the type of traffic your rug receives it is a good idea to wash your rug every two to four years. Surface cleaning is all that is usually needed. It is best to have your rug cleaned by a professional cleaner specializing in oriental rugs. Never steam or chemically clean your rug as these cleaning methods deplete the natural oils of the pile. Do not put your rugs or kilims in the washing machine.
Spills
Deal with spills immediately. Depending on what has been spilled, it is often a good idea to use a spoon to scoop up the spill. Dilute the spill with water and blot, do not rub the area with a paper towel until all moisture is removed. Always blot from the outer edges towards the center to prevent the spill from spreading.
Stain Removal
If you know what has caused the stain, a treatment is usually available. Common food and beverage stains can be treated with the same mild detergent used to wash delicate clothes. An ink stain from a ball point pen can be removed by spraying the area with hairspray, letting it dry and brushing the area with a water/vinegar solution. Not every stain should be attacked with water. Oil based stains are best treated with dry cleaning solvents. Any questions on stain removal should be directed to a rug cleaning professional experienced with oriental rugs. When treating stains always blot and brush stains from the outside edges towards the center. Absorb all moisture by blotting with a paper towel and use a hand held hair dryer to complete treatment.
Spills
Deal with spills immediately. Depending on what has been spilled, it is often a good idea to use a spoon to scoop up the spill. Dilute the spill with water and blot, do not rub the area with a paper towel until all moisture is removed. Always blot from the outer edges towards the center to prevent the spill from spreading.
Stain Removal
If you know what has caused the stain, a treatment is usually available. Common food and beverage stains can be treated with the same mild detergent used to wash delicate clothes. An ink stain from a ball point pen can be removed by spraying the area with hairspray, letting it dry and brushing the area with a water/vinegar solution. Not every stain should be attacked with water. Oil based stains are best treated with dry cleaning solvents. Any questions on stain removal should be directed to a rug cleaning professional experienced with oriental rugs. When treating stains always blot and brush stains from the outside edges towards the center. Absorb all moisture by blotting with a paper towel and use a hand held hair dryer to complete treatment.