area rug cleaning tips specialists professional stain removal

Rug Cleaning Tips From A Specialist

Indoor Area Rug Care Advice

Vacuuming: Routine vacuuming with a high quality vacuum cleaner is the most essential thing you can do to maintain the prestige beauty of your rug.

Our specialists usually suggest that you vacuum thoroughly and quite often with a canister vacuum (preferably one without beater bars). This will prevent permanent damage by keeping soil particles from working their way deep into your area rug.

1. Area rugs placed in high traffic areas of your home or office should be vacuumed more frequently than those in low traffic areas.

2. Our experts advise you to NEVER vacuum the fringes of your area rug, especially a hand-knotted rug.

 

Cleaning & Removing Stains On Your Area Rugs

Act quickly following a spill to keep a permanent stain from setting into the construction of your rug.

1. For all liquid spills –  our specialists usually suggest that you use a clean cloth and press firmly around the spill to absorb as much as possible. DO NOT RUB! This can set the stain deeper into the area rug, making it more difficult to remove, thus increasing the likelihood that it will re-appear

2. For stains – make a solution of H20, white vinegar and a slight amount of detergent. Mix and softly apply just the foam that rises to the top of the solution to the stained area. Finish using a clean cloth to absorb/remove any residue

3. For harder to remove stains – professional rug cleaning is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

4. A Special Note on Viscose Rugs: Viscose is one of the oldest man-made fibers, though it is not entirely “synthetic” since it is derived from cellulose. Often referred to as artificial silk, or art silk, viscose has the same soft, luxurious look and feel as silk, but at a much more affordable price. It is a popular choice for a handful of area rug styles, mainly because it blends effortlessly with other fibers and it takes well to dyes, especially in displaying and retaining vivid colors. It is for this reason, special attention is necessary in cleaning and maintaining a viscose area rug, or any  area rug made with viscose highlights.

 

Vacuuming Your Area Rug

Regular area rug cleaning using a carpet sweeper is highly recommended for 100% viscose area rugs. High power vacuums can be too rough on viscose, but if you do use a vacuum, our Rug Sales Specialist highly recommend that you make sure to set it on a low power setting and disengage the beater bars or set them on a high level.

 

Removing Stains on Your Area Rug

Viscose is exceedingly absorbent so our specialists remove stains using only a clean, damp cloth and a mild cleanser when necessary. For tougher stains, our specialists suggest that you:

  • Make a solution of water, white vinegar and mild detergent.
  • Mix and gently apply just the foam that rises to the top of the solution to the stained area.
  • Finish using a clean damp cloth to remove any residue.

Furthermore, a small amount of fabric softener sprayed onto to the stained area will help to preserve the softness of the viscose fibers.

 

Area Rug Shedding

Wool area rugs shed as a natural outcome of how they are created; this is mainly true of new wool area rugs. Regardless, this shedding will gradually diminish and can be reduced by following these simple and effortless instructions:

1. Use a high-quality rug pad under your area rug to reduce surface friction that can cause excessive shedding.

2. Vacuum a new wool area rug 1-2 times a week for the first few weeks using a low pressure vacuum cleaner without beater bars.

3. Vacuum in the direction of the pile, not against it.

4. Shedding is natural and to be expected of wool area rugs, however excessive shedding in high-quality wool rugs will diminish within 4–6 months (or less).

5. Do not pull loose ends; clip them with scissors to remove.

6. Some wool area rugs are made using a large loop weave and these loops can come undone. Do not pull “stray” loops, always cut them back with scissors.

 

Flattening and Removing Creases on your Area Rugs

Packing and shipping of your area rug may cause temporary creases or kinks in your new rug or runner. These surface waves are not imperfections or damage and will gradually recede. Our experts usually suggest that you flatten and remove creases by:

1. Back-rolling or reverse rolling is the fastest and easiest way to remove creases in your area rug or hallway runner.

2. These creases and waves will normally flatten-out on their own so in most cases you can simply allow enough time for your area rug or runner to settle.

3. Use rug protectors under the legs of heavy furniture to avoid flattening piles.

 

Avoid Direct Sunlight On Your Rug

Direct sunlight will cause the colors in your area rug to fade over time.

1. Our experts usually recommend that you place your rug away from direct sunlight whenever possible. The center of a room is a preferable location to reduce the risk of fading.

2. Draw your curtains or lower blinds to shade your area rug.

3. Use protective window treatments or window coatings to block UV rays.

 

Indoor-Outdoor Rug Care Tips

Indoor-outdoor area rugs are made with durable synthetic materials to help them to withstand high traffic, excessive dirt and spills, and the natural elements that can cause damage. However, while indoor/outdoor rugs are constructed to be dirt and stain resistant, they still require regular maintenance to keep them looking their best.

  • Know Your Rug: Every indoor-outdoor and outdoor area rug will be made from a variety of materials or a different blend of materials. Our specialists suggest that you read the label on your rug and follow the cleaning instructions and precautions provided by the manufacturer.

  • Vacuuming and Sweeping: Indoor-outdoor rugs are subjected to excessive dirt, grime and foot traffic and therefore require more consistent and thorough sweeping and vacuuming than indoor area rugs.

  • Spill and Stain Removal: Act fast to soak up the spill and clean any residual staining

  • Blot-up the spill using a clean dry towel or paper towels. Do not rub. Rubbing will cause the stain to settle deeper into the fibers, which on indoor-outdoor carpeting can cause a stain to re-appear over the course of time.

  • Sponge clean the stained area with a small amount of cold water.

  • Cleaning: Periodic cleaning of the entire surface of your area rug will help to maintain the appearance and extend the life of your indoor-outdoor carpet.

  • Sweep, vacuum and rinse your area rug with a garden hose, preferably over a rail to help drain away the water.

  • Dry the rug over a railing in the sunlight, making sure to turn the rug over to allow for drying on both sides.

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