While the sheer, delicate look of timeless materials like silk and wool rugs make for an elegant and sophisticated space, the vulnerability of the fibers makes it high-risk when it comes to stains and dirt. Hundreds of hours of work and thousands of dollars of cost can be ruined with aggressive cleaning methods. Before you attempt to clean a stain on a precious carpet rug, call Olde World Rug Washing Company for expert advice.
Prevention
At the risk of stating the obvious, the best way to protect your valuable carpet rug is to limit foot traffic. To clean your carpet, all you need to do is shake it outside and then gently sweep it with a broom. You can also use a vacuum with a brushless suction head. Be super careful not to catch the fringe in the rotor brush.
If your carpet rug is exposed to light, make sure you rotate it every few months to ensure that all parts of the rugs are exposed to the sunlight equally. This can help prevent discoloration and deterioration of the rug’s fibers. Encourage guests and family members to remove their shoes when entering the house. Keep highly saturated liquids (such as wine and juice) away from the rug.
If you have pets, discipline them to resist laying on — or worse, urinating on — your rug. The odors and colors of acidic liquids can severely damage a silk and wool rug, and can only be completely removed (or, in extreme cases, only partially removed) by professional cleaners. But, when a disaster DOES occur, don’t overreact.
Home Triage
Our philosophy is to do no harm and treat each textile individually, as per the care that a unique piece requires. If you are unable to have the professionals from Olde World Rug come to the house today, here are some tried and true methods to implement now. For normal maintenance, less is more. Until we can arrive, focus on removing gritty dirt that can damage the fibers; treat handmade rugs extra kindly.
To release any stains on your carpet rug, work quickly to remove as much material as you can. First, absorb any spilled liquid with a clean white cloth. Use another clean white towel moistened with warm (not hot) water. Then, blot — don’t rub — the spill with the towel, releasing the liquid from the rug and absorbing it into the towel.
When your day to day maintenance is not enough, trust the expert in Long Island. If you are sheltering in place and have a rug emergency, please call us. Together, we can decide the best course of action. Our mission is to give the finest care to our clients and their textiles while protecting your home and family.
We maintain certifications through the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and the Fiber Cleaning Schools of America; including the top certifications of Oriental Rug Color Specialist and a Certified Master Textile Cleaner through the IICRC.
