Oriental rugs are a fantastic home investment. They add beauty, comfort and class to any home environment, and with the right care, they will serve you well for many years to come. However, even the nicest rugs get dirty from constant use, and encounter the unfortunate surprise or two over time. (Hello, red wine spill during that fancy dinner party!
When it’s time for Oriental rug cleaning in South Amboy, NJ, make sure to call in a professional rug cleaning service like Lov ‘N Kare Carpet Center with the experience to do your oriental rug justice. To get you started, here are a few ways you can get your Oriental rugs clean in no time.
The best defense is a good offense
It’s perfectly understandable that rugs get dirty, and every single high-end rug will need a good cleaning from time to time. But you can minimize permanent damage and excess cleaning requirements simply by taking precautions ahead of time. Prevent excess mud and dirt from accumulating on your rug by making sure everyone removes their shoes before walking on it. Socks are much gentler than heels, so you’ll prevent mud as well as potential scuffs and snags.
Figure out your starting point
In order to know when it’s time to call in a professional for Oriental rug cleaning in South Amboy, NJ, first determine how dirty your rug is now. If your rug is in a higher traffic area, you’ll probably want to get it cleaned once a year. But if it it’s in a less popular area, it might need to be cleaned only every two or three years.
To figure out just how dirty your beautiful rug is, try holding up a corner, and then firmly kicking the back of it. If you notice a cloud of dust in the air, you’ve got one dirty rug! You can also try rubbing your hand firmly over the rug in an arc shape for a few seconds. Look at your hand afterward, and if you see a lot of dirt on your palm or fingers, you have a rug in need of a cleaning.
Do a little prep
If something happens to your rug while you’re present—like a pet accident or spill—and you happen to notice it, do your rug a major favor and get the mess cleaned up as soon as possible. Urine is particularly damaging, as it can cause discoloration and challenging odors. First, use a cloth to soak up the liquid. If it’s particularly bad, you can try carrying a small rug outdoors to gently spray it with a hose, but try not to soak it too much. Don’t use harsh chemicals or any products you haven’t tested on a tiny area of the rug first—it’s possible to make the damage worse if a chemical reacts poorly with the fibers.
When you need Oriental rug cleaning in South Amboy, NJ, Lov ‘N Kare Carpet Center is here to help. Give us a call today to see what we can do for you!
An Oriental rug can be stunning, but it can also be costly, which is why you want your rug to last as long as possible. Oriental rugs are like an investment, and as with any other investment, they require special attention and care. To help guarantee a long life for your Oriental rug, here are a few proper care tips to put into practice:
- Take your shoes off: Not only do your shoes track in all the dirt and grime from the outside world across your beautiful carpet, but the tread on your shoes works to grind that dirt into the very fibers of your Oriental rug. To increase the life of your Oriental rug, it’s best to adopt a “no shoes in the house” policy and ask guests and family to leave their shoes at the door. However, if shoes do find their way onto your rug, getting a regular Oriental rug cleaning in South Amboy, NJ can help prevent permanent damage to your rug.
- Watch out for pests: Moths and certain beetles may find the fibers of your Oriental rug the perfect nesting place. Most genuine Oriental rugs contain wool and cotton fibers, which can be a tasty snack for the larvae of moths and certain types of beetles. Larvae tend to reside in areas of the rug that see little traffic, so it’s important to vacuum the entire surface of your rug weekly. The back of your rug should also be cleaned roughly once a year by a professional cleaner.
- Keep plants off the rug: Water may be the singular most damaging thing that can happen to an Oriental rug. Water that is not completely dried up can actually cause the cotton backing of your rug to rot. Planters that are kept on top of the rug and are regularly watered can cause a dampness underneath the rug that never has the chance to completely dry. To avoid this, it’s best to keep plants at the periphery of your room and not on the rug.
- Clean up accidents and spills immediately: Should something spill on your rug or a pet have an accident, it’s important to clean the affected area as soon as possible. Try to sop up as much liquid as possible using paper towels. Then use a carpet cleaner to clean the area and rinse thoroughly. If a stain or bad odor persists, call for professional Oriental rug cleaning in South Amboy, NJ.
- Schedule regular cleanings: Just like regular carpets, oriental rugs can become home to dust mites, allergens, dead skin and the everyday dirt that goes along with our daily lives. To ensure the longevity of your rug and the health of your home, your rug should be professionally cleaned at least once a year.
Your Oriental rug is more than a rug—it is a valuable work of art and should be well cared for. For help with keeping your Oriental rug clean and beautiful, give Lov ‘N Kare Carpet Center a call today!