How Do Professionals Clean Oriental Rugs?

Few things can tie your home’s design together like an oriental rug. Loved by many for their vibrant colors and fascinating patterns, oriental rugs can complement the décor of any room. However, they’re also expensive and often a magnet for debris and contaminants, which can lead you to throw them out sooner than you want to. This means keeping them clean is a must.

Seeking a professional carpet cleaning service in Vail, AZ, for regular cleanings is one of the most effective ways to maintain an antique oriental rug. This then begs the question: How do professionals clean oriental rugs?

How To Tell if You Have an Antique Oriental Rug

Since oriental rugs are incredibly popular, manufacturers produce modern rugs to meet the demand for antique oriental rugs while cutting back on costs.

Antique rugs are made by hand from natural materials like silk, cotton, or wool. This means they require more labor and attention to detail during production and cleaning, but the end result is a more durable and valuable product. 

Meanwhile, modern oriental rugs are machine-made with a blend of synthetic fibers. These are cheaper and easier to manufacture while reducing the chance of imperfections.

How Professionals Clean Oriental Rugs

How do professionals clean oriental rugs? Expert rug cleaners have the skills and experience necessary to clean your oriental rugs, preserving their integrity while removing unwanted debris. Professionals are also the best options for removing stains, performing deep cleanings, and extending your rug’s life.

Remove Dirt from the Rug While It’s Dry

Dirt and grime can quickly build up around your oriental rug, especially if it’s in a high-traffic area. Companies that offer a professional carpet cleaning service can effectively remove debris embedded in your rug’s pile through purpose-built vacuums and other equipment to physically remove dust and dirt from the rug fibers. They’ll usually do this before applying moisture to reduce the likelihood of staining.

Apply a Carpet-specific Cleaning Solution to Preserve the Rug’s Color

Oriental rugs are delicate and expensive, which means they require care while cleaning. Although the traditional method of hanging a rug to shake and beat the dirt out of it is popular for at-home cleaning, it’s an ultimately ineffective solution that can result in permanent damage.

Professionals have access to products specifically made for cleaning your rug. Because oriental rugs consist of natural materials, the wrong cleaning solution can negatively impact the rug’s overall condition. For example, using a product with harsh chemicals can interact with the darker-colored dyes, resulting in a bleeding effect over the lighter areas of the rug.

Professionals use gentle yet effective cleaning solutions, moving over the entire rugh two to three times.

Rinse and Deep Clean the Rug

If you’ve owned an oriental rug for years, then it might be due for a professional deep cleaning, especially if you walk on it frequently. Professionals can get into the deeper layers of your rug and remove anything from dust to dirt and even foul odors so your rug looks and smells positively fresh.

By hiring a professional, you can keep your rug clean while preventing unnecessary damage thanks to their gentle cleaning methods. This includes rapidly drying the rug to remove excess water, which prevents the buildup of mold while reducing the risk of buckling and shrinking.

Remove Stains

One of the most common reasons rug owners seek professional cleaning services is for stain removal. Professional cleaners can usually deep stains from your oriental rug using a neutral-pH cleaner that’s gentle on the rug fibers but tough enough to get the stain out.

Dry the Rug and Apply a Fiber Protector to Extend Its Life

After letting the rug dry, professionals often preserve the state of your oriental rug and prolong its lifespan through a fiber protector. By adding a fiber protector, your oriental rug becomes more resistant to both wear and tear from foot traffic and furniture and resistant to staining.

How Do Oriental Rugs Get Dirty, and How Do You Protect Them?

Even the most isolated rugs will attract dust and dirt over time. Placing them in high-traffic areas only increases the chances of your oriental rug accumulating debris. Rugs attract common contaminants from a variety of sources, such as:

• People walking over them throughout the day
• Pets resting or playing on top of them
• Tobacco or incense seeping inside

How To Care For an Oriental Rug

Although having a professional regularly tend to your oriental rug is the best way to ensure it stays clean, you can take several steps to maintain your rug in between those deep cleaning sessions.

Keep Up With Vacuuming

Vacuuming proactively is a great way to eliminate surface-level debris and ultimately reduce how much grime becomes embedded within the deeper layers of your oriental rug. Make sure your vacuum doesn’t have a beater bar, or it could cause serious damage. 

Stick to a weekly vacuuming routine and use the upholstery attachment, then finish with a soft bristle brush on the fringe border. You can also flip the rug over to vacuum up dirt and dust that gather underneath and on the back side of the rug.

Immediately Attend to Spills

Promptly responding to spills on your oriental rug is essential if you want to avoid permanent staining. Once you’ve absorbed as much of the spill as possible with paper towels, create a white vinegar and warm water solution and apply pressure.

Let Steam Smart Pro Carpet Duct & Tile Cleaning Clean Your Oriental Rugs

Cleaning an oriental rug with store-bought products and DIY solutions can be laborious and time-consuming. At Steam Smart Pro Carpet Duct & Tile Cleaning, we get your valuable oriental rug looking good as new with a team of professionals who will remove all grime of any kind. Even if your rug has stains due to spilled wine, carpet wicking, or pet-related incidents, we offer the deepest cleaning services in Vail, AZ.

How do professionals clean oriental rugs? Steam Smart Pro Carpet Duct & Tile Cleaning uses steam cleaning and odor removal techniques to return your oriental rug to its original state. Call us at (520) 346-7706 to get your free estimate for oriental rug cleaning.