Spaces come to life with the addition of various decorative elements that enhance the area’s look and feel, they enliven and add color to the rooms in which they are placed, oftentimes making a room so much better than with just the furniture. This is the case for rugs, and most especially, Persian rugs. Favored for their color patterns, textures and personality, these hand knotted items depict floral or geometric patterns that have earned them fame among many house owners.
The composition of these tapestries is mostly wool, a rather easy to clean fiber. On the other hand, because Persian rugs are done with the utmost care and technique -an artisan might spend even a decade in the making of one unique rug- it is also on brand to clean and care for them in such a manner, to attain the best longevity for the item as possible. For this reason, the recommended and optimal frequency of deep cleaning should be done every three to five years, depending on the use, area and size of the piece. Regular cleaning and tidying of the rug can be done more frequently to avoid allergies, extend the quality of the piece and the beautification of the room.
Like most clothing, furniture and other special items, your rug will come with a label on one end which will surely specify any and all of the important things to keep in mind when doing a Persian rug cleaning. We recommend thoroughly reading the label to be aware of any chemicals to avoid (most of them really) and wash tips the vendor might have included. Another good tip is to take and save a picture of the label in case the ink fades or the label is cut off.
Methods for cleaning.
Among the many basic steps you can perform on Persian rug cleaning, even monthly to maintain the quality and cleanliness of your carpet are any of the following three. These steps will ensure you have a clean carpet in no time with just a few actions, and no water is required. These methods work best for dirt, dust, debris or any other small loose particles that could get stuck between the fibers of your decor.
The easiest method of the bunch is to shake it. If you roll up the rug and take it outside, you can swiftly hold it by the corners and then shake the carpet vigorously. Some people might need some help with this, and an alternate way would be to hang it and beat it softly with a pole or your hands. This can be done in a few minutes and if the carpet has not stored that much dirt, would be just enough to maintain it clean for a good while.
But if you need another sturdier method, sweeping the item, by performing continuous sweeping motions from one end to the other of the rug will help loosen and move the dust and debris away from the item. If this doesn’t seem to cut it, the final and strongest method out of our easy line up of methods is to vacuum it. Get your device and turn off the beater mode if it has one, and run it through the carpet. Keep in mind that you will need to pass it a couple of times through the entire surface of the item, as well as going in the direction of the fibers, since going against might unnecessarily pull the threads and loosen them up, thus affecting the quality of your tapestry. Avoiding fringes and loose threads will be the best course of action if your item has these.
If your item needs more cleaning than the just mentioned or if there is some serious damage and dirt going on in it, then you may need to actually wash your rug. For this we recommend doing it with a normal hose, not a powered one as it may affect the fibers and damage the rug.
Step by Step.
Bring your carpet outside and have both sides under the hose until wet, get just a bit of detergent for delicate, you might have to water it down or dissolve it if it is powdered. Gently massage the detergent using your hands, any brush you try on your carpet will snag at the threads and ruin them.
Completely wash the whole extension of the rug in this fashion, wringing your fingers in between the yarn, do not forget the other side for optimum cleaning. Once the soaping is done you can rinse all of the product out starting with the front side, then the side that has contact to the floor, then the front back again, until no remains of the detergent come out of the fibers, to prevent stiffness.
Letting the rug dry completely is the final and most important step in cleaning it in this fashion. You will want to use a well sun-lit area of your yard, a patio, or clean zone of your ceiling where the sun can help to dry it out, as the whole drying process can take about two to three days depending on the thickness and size of your tapestry. If you decide to lay it on a surface instead of hanging it to dry, remember to let the floor-side also get some sun and inspect if all of the extension of the rug has dried before returning it back to its spot on your home.
What to do for odors and stains.
When cleaning your rug, or in the day to day use, the item might experience several conditions, from spills to pets laying on them, which can lead to odors or stains appearing on it, and some often are very unpleasant to deal with or can’t be hidden away easily, since some rugs are the centerpiece of many rooms.
For this, you may use a mixture of vinegar, water and a bit of mild detergent to treat bad odors that do not belong on your rug. Talcum and baking soda are also great options to treat odors. Spray a generous amount on the smelly spot and leave for at least thirty minutes, then vacuum the spot thoroughly.
For stains encountered while Persian rug cleaning, you may need a specific approach depending on the origin of the stain, however for most of then you should clean any debris and excess moisture from the spot, blot down the liquids with a towel or paper towel, then blot the stain with a sponge soaked in watered down mild detergent until the stain goes away. Avoid rubbing on the threads since this might push the liquids further into the carpet, staining it more. Once cleared, blot away with just water to get rid of any remains. Dry your rug with a blow dryer in the cool setting if there’s one available.
Acting quickly is the best way to catch any dirt and score maintenance points towards your rug’s longevity. All of the steps mentioned above are a few of many you can resort to when performing Persian rug cleaning.
The possibility of scheduling your rug for a professional cleaning service if you feel you want a professional taking care of your investment is also a great way to ensure it lasts long and decorates your spaces as the first day it was acquired.
