Few furnishings are as treasured as a genuine Turkish or Oriental Rug. And whether your rug is a family heirloom or a newer investment, you want to give it the best possible care. So what do you do when that accident occurs? (notice, we didn’t say ‘if’) Imagine it’s late in the day. you can’t get hold of the pros. What do you do? Use Our easy step-by-step plan to keep spots and spills on your Oriental Rug from becoming stains.
Everyday Oriental Rug cleaning
Before we kick off the DIY do’s, we want to be clear. Apart from spills and spots, rug owners can provide the everyday care that an Oriental Rug needs, without specialized tools or products. Shaking a rug outdoors then draping it over a clothesline for a gentle beating are time-honored strategies for removing loose soil from rug fibers. This is the best way to clean heirloom rugs. After a dusting, use suction cleaning with a gentle vacuum. Avoid any tool with a beater bar. Simple suction pulls even more dry particles and dust out of your textile.
Many experts recommend that you vacuum both sides of the rug. Start with the back of the textile then flip it over and vacuum the front. Move slowly, working with (not against) the nap. How do you know the direction of your rug’s fibers? Gently pass your hand over the rug’s surface. When the fibers feel smooth, you are feeling the fiber’s ‘preferred’ direction. When it feels rough, you are pushing against the pile. Line up the vacuum path to match the direction of the fibers and vacuum a few times a week to prevent the build-up of dry particles that damage rug fibers.
Pro Tip: Be very careful around any fringe, which can be damaged by a vacuum. Fringe needs its own specialized cleaning, as explained in Step 12 of Pro-Care’s 18 Step Oriental Rug Cleaning process.
Are DIY rug cleaning Methods as good as Professional Protocols?
Nothing is as effective as a periodic professional cleaning to give your Oriental Rug the care that insures long-lasting beauty. That said, accidents are notoriously unexpected. Sometimes that puddle (or piddle) occurs when the pros are out of office. So what can you do to prevent lasting damage to your treasured textile? The following quick response plan will reduce the likelihood of those spots and spills from turning into stains.
Oriental Rug Rescue Step 1: Grab and Blot
So something just spilled. What now? First off, reach for a clean, white cloth! Why? Because spilled substances can cause the dye from a colored towel to bleed onto your rug, leaving you with not one emergency but two! Soak up excess liquid using a blotting action, pressing the towel deeply and gently into the rug’s fibers. Never rub or scrub the area of the spot. If you do, you may accidentally cause lasting damage to your rug. Repeat blotting with fresh towels until no more liquid comes up.
Oriental Rug Rescue Step 3: Rinse Carefully
Blend a mild detergent with white vinegar. The best rescue recipe is 1/2 teaspoon of natural detergent to 1/4 cup white vinegar. Add warm (not hot) water to dilute the mixture. Lightly press a towel, dampened with this solution, on the spill. You can also use a pump bottle and spray on the cleaning mix. Either way, do not over-wet the spill-zone. If left damp after cleaning, an Oriental Rug can develop a musty odor or even be vulnerable to mildew growth.
Oriental Rug Rescue Step 3: Rinse Carefully
Rinse the the spot or spill with a small amount of water and white vinegar. Add the rinse solution a teaspoon at a time, alternating with a blotting motion. Avoid wetting the rug’s backing.
Oriental Rug Rescue Step 4: Dry Gently
Blot the area dry until most of the moisture has been absorbed. The easiest way to tell if there is any remaining wetness is to use fresh paper towels for every pass. You’ll be able to tell when the moisture stops wicking.
Oriental Rug Rescue Step 5: Air Dry
Once the excess liquid has been removed, allow your rug to air dry. You can even use a fan or a cool hair dryer, to speed up the drying process. Make sure no one tracks across the rug during the drying process.
Oriental Rug Rescue Step 6: Reach for the phone
For stains that do not respond to your efforts, you want to reach out to a trusted textile care company. Your local cleaning experts can talk you through the next steps. The good news is that, if you have used the methods detailed above, you have given Oriental Rug Cleaning professionals the best possible chance to remove any lingering discoloration. When you call, the more information you can provide, the better.
Check for a tag on the back of your rug. It should list the fiber types and percentages that make up your textile. It’s also helpful to know the size of your rug. And report the source of the original spot or spill, be it red wine, coffee, puppy pee, grape juice, blood or some other offender. Finally, make sure to share what steps you took to stabilize the spill. Chances are, your rescue efforts will make the difference to the cleaning outcomes of your professional service provider.
Check for a tag on the back of your rug. It should list the fiber types and percentages that make up your textile. It’s also helpful to know the size of your rug. And report the source of the original spot or spill, be it red wine, coffee, puppy pee, grape juice, blood or some other offender. Finally, make sure to share what steps you took to stabilize the spill. Chances are, your rescue efforts will make the difference to the cleaning outcomes of your professional service provider.
Oriental Rug Cleaning Is not Always a DIY Project
When you choose an Oriental, Turkish or other fine rug, you also choose an ongoing maintenance investment. Luckily, much of the care necessary to maintain the beauty and longevity of your treasured textile does not require professional tools or training. A gentle vacuuming twice a week and immediate response to spots and spills go a long way to keeping your rug happy. However, a periodic professional cleaning, when paired with your everyday efforts, make for the best care regime.
Deep cleanings, usually completed in a rug plant, can restore your rug to the best possible condition. So plan ahead and schedule that cleaning once a year – more often if the rug is exposed to hard use and serious spillage. Still not convinced that your rug needs professional care? We provide even more reasons to reach out to a local expert.
Lastly, for more tips on caring for your Oriental Rug, read our article, Oriental Rug and Area Rug Maintenance and Cleaning Tips.