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Proper Care Of An Oriental Rug

28 April 2015

Felecia Coleman

Many people enjoy having the majestic look of an oriental rug adorning the floor of their home. In order to keep an oriental rug looking its best, there are several precautionary steps to be taken. Here are some steps to take to keep your oriental rug looking its very best and how to handle mishaps that could potentially damage your rug.

Cleaning Your Rug

Regular cleanings will keep your oriental rug from becoming grungy-looking. It is best to vacuum it every week to keep all dirt from becoming embedded in the fibers. The brush on the bottom of a household vacuum cleaner causes pilling on the top layer of delicate carpets if it is too close to the surface. Rather than take this risk, stick to using a vacuum attachment.

Oriental rugs are made with natural vegetable dyes that can run easily when moistened with household cleaners or soap and water. To freshen areas of your rug that need cleansing, use a mixture of three parts water mixed with one part vinegar. Place it in a spray bottle and lightly spritz your rug with the mixture. When drying, keep your rug flat by draping both ends across a chair. If you hang your rug, you risk having the colors run.

Avoiding Insect Damage

Carpet beetles and moths are both insects that are known to infest carpets by laying eggs on the fibers of the carpet. When the eggs hatch, the larvae stage of the insect will bite at the fibers of the carpet, causing small holes to ruin the surface. To keep these insects away, vacuum your carpet weekly. Avoid using moth balls or flakes, as the chemicals contained emit an odor that will be very difficult to remove from your carpet. Instead, lightly spray the carpet with a non-staining insecticide made especially for fine carpets.

Handling Stains

If someone spills something on your carpet, treat it immediately so the liquid does not settle into the fibers. Use a clean towel to blot the area where the spill occurs. Always blot from the outside edges working inward so the stain does not spread to other areas of the carpet. Use the water/vinegar mixture to lightly spritz the stained area and blot again with a new clean towel. Place the carpet in a warm area to dry. If the stain becomes embedded into the fibers to the point that vinegar does not remove it thoroughly, take your carpet to a restoration specialist as soon as possible to help remove the discoloring from the area.

Promoting Even Wear

Your carpet will look its best if the colors are uniform throughout the pattern. Flip your carpet over once a month to promote even wear. Carpets will fade from excessive sunlight, so the placement of your carpeting is important. Pick an area of your home where the carpet is away from windows, if possible. To find out more, contact a business like Tashjian's Oriental Rug Service.

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