Regular cleaning of area rugs is important for keeping them in good condition, as well as for maintaining a clean and healthy home. Some rugs require special care and your first step should be to look for a care label that might give instructions on cleaning. If instructions are not provided, here are a few tips on specialty care for rugs.
Wool
Wool rugs are durable, soft and are a beautiful addition to your home, but are subject to wear and tear especially if placed in high-traffic areas.
Wool shed easily, especially in the first few months. Vacuum two to four times a month, but make sure not to use a vacuum with a beater bar. Over vacuuming or harsh vacuuming irritates wool and damages the fibres.
Spills, stains and your pet’s business on the rug must be given prompt attention to save the rug from permanent damage. First, remove any solid dirt, whether dried mud or food solids. Then, remove any excess liquid using a paper towel or a dry rag. With a solution of dish soap with water, and in some cases white vinegar, gently blot away the stain.
Lastly, dab the area dry, air dry or dry with a cold air fan.
Avoid placing your woolen rug in direct sunlight for long periods of time. It will cause the colour to fade, more so if it is dark. Rotate your rug periodically to protect it from damage from natural light. Use a rug pad underneath for protection and traction.
Artificial Silk
If you thought you needed to be careful when cleaning woolen rugs, artificial silk rugs require an even gentler approach because of the delicate nature of the fibres. Avoid abrasive cleaning, vacuum regularly & gently, and do not rub or scrub the rugs.
Staining and spillages must be dealt with immediately. Use a spoon to scoop up solid items that have spilled onto the rug, without scraping it. Liquid spills should be blotted with clean, white cloth or a paper towel to absorb as much of the liquid as possible. In case of staining, use a very gentle cleaner that has already been tested on the rug’s fabric. Leave the rug to air dry and do not use heat, as it may damage the rug.
Leather
Moisture and heat are no friend to your leather rugs and abrasive cleaning could damage them. Leather rugs must be shaken out to remove loose dirt instead of vacuuming. Follow up by cleaning them with a soft hand brush.
To wash, spray a solution of 5% white vinegar and 95% water and clean using a soft sponge. For stain removal, your safest bet is a leather cleaner, after running a test on a small, inconspicuous part of the rug. In all cases, ensure that you dry the rug immediately, using a dry rag. Air dry thoroughly before using.
Air drying your leather rugs in the sun once in every few months is also good, but don’t leave them out for more than an hour or two.
Similarly, avoid placing your leather rugs in direct sunlight for long periods of time, as heat and light cracks the skin.
Handmade
Place a nylon screen over your handmade rug and then vacuum over the screen, carefully.
These tips are great for regular upkeep of your rugs. But if you want your rugs to last long and serve well, do not hesitate to call a cleaning professional every two or three years. We, at Classique ChemDry, are a team of experts in area rug cleaning. Call us on 1800213006 and visit our website to find out more about our services.
No comments:
Post a Comment