Oriental rugs are one of the best carpets in the market because they can last for many years. However, that depends on how you take care of them. One of the best ways to improve your rug’s life is by cleaning and maintaining them properly. If you don’t clean your carpet correctly, dirt might damage its fibers, mildew might develop, or it might get stained, affecting its beauty and compromising its longevity.
Therefore, it is advisable to hire a professional to clean your oriental rugs regularly to keep them in top shape. However, you can also use the following oriental rug cleaning tips to help you clean your oriental carpet like an expert.
1- Remove Debris from the Rug
Start by removing debris from the rug because the continuous accumulation of dirt can damage the fibers. A vacuum cleaner can effectively eliminate all the dirt on your carpet if you continuously vacuum it for several minutes. Move the vacuum cleaner several times on the backside of your rug before doing the same on the front part. However, you must be more careful when cleaning the front part to prevent damaging the fibers. It is advisable to move in the fibers’ direction and take care of the edges during the process.
However, you can clean your rug even if you don’t have a vacuum cleaner. You only need a detergent and a soft-bristle brush, which you can use to scrub the rug gently in the direction of the fibers.
2- Use a Powerful Detergent to Get Rid of Stains and Odors
If your rug has stains or a funny smell after vacuuming it, use a powerful detergent to remove the spots and odor. First, mix your preferred detergent with warm water. Then apply the mixture to the stained parts and wait for a few minutes before cleaning the rug. However, if you clean the carpet and the stains are still visible, apply the mixture again and wait for at least one hour before cleaning it. To get rid of bad smells, sprinkle some baking soda on the carpet and vacuum it after some time.
3- Rinse the Rug
After successfully removing all the stains, rinse your rug with clean water and a squeegee. Spray the rug with a small amount of water before going over it with a squeegee. Make sure you move the squeegee in the direction of the fibers. If, after doing this, your rug still has excess water, lay white towels or any other clean absorbent fabric on the rug and walk over them. Removing excess moisture will make the drying process much more manageable.
4- Dry the Rug
Finish by drying your rug before taking it back to the house. Make sure that it dries completely to avoid the formation of mildew that might cause a bad smell or weaken the rug weave, reducing its life. When drying your carpet, keep it flat in a sunny or airily area.
However, don’t expose your rug to direct sunlight for a long time because it can fade, affecting its appearance. If the weather is unfavorable, you can use a fan to speed up the drying process. Depending on the weather conditions in your area, your oriental carpet can take several days to dry out thoroughly.
If you want your oriental rug to last for many years, use the tips above to clean it like a pro. However, even with the tips above, you can damage your carpet when cleaning it. That is why it is advisable to contact experts to clean your oriental rug professionally to remove stubborn stains and odors without damaging it.
