Oriental rugs are not only a work of art but also an investment, and with proper care can last for generations. As Oriental rugs are generally made of wool, they are more durable, resilient and stay cleaner than rugs made from other fibers. By following these simple suggestions your Oriental rug will provide you with many years of utility and satisfaction.
Beating - Beating is the traditional and the best method for cleaning a rug. The rug should be hung outside in dry weather and beaten several times on each side with a paddle or beater. This dislodges any fine grit embedded in the rug.
Rotation - A rug should be rotated once every year or two so as to ensure even wear. In higher traffic areas, rotation should be more frequent. As continual direct exposure to sunlight will damage a rug, the frequent rotation of a rug will equalize the effect of the sun. Use window shades, shutters or curtains as often as possible to protect your rug from damaging ultra-violet rays. This will protect against the fading of the colors.
Padding - It is recommended you use a quality padding under your rug. This will help protect it from dirt, wear and slippage, especially in heavily trafficked areas. The life of an Oriental rug can be doubled with the use of good-quality padding. You may contact us, or your local Oriental rug specialist for the purchase of good quality padding.
Vacuuming - Oriental rugs should be vacuumed regularly to remove dirt and grit that may damage the fibers and foundation of the rug. Vacuuming helps prevent dirt on the surface of the rug from filtering down into the pile where it can accumulate and cause increased wear. Be careful with a cleaner equipped with a power brush as they create a raking effect on the pile and can eventually weaken the knots. Be very careful with the fringes as they get caugnt and chewed up by the rotating mechanism of the brush. For routine cleaning, use just the plain vacuum nozzle. Never vacuum against the nap, as this presses dirt back into the rug. Occasionally vacuum the back of the rug so as to remove the fine grit that may damage the foundation of the rug.
Cleaning - Cleaning by a professional cleaner is recommended every one to two years, depending on the amount of traffic your rug experiences. This will bring out the vibrancy and richness of color as well as the softness of the wool. The HOST Dry Carpet Cleaning System, which we use, is ideal for Oriental and other wool area rugs, It is WoolSafe approved and environmentally safe. From the March 2008 HOST Professional Ceaners Association Bulletin
EnviroSafe Carpet Cleaning Beaufort, SC 843-252-3807
http://envirosafe.biz ~ info@envirosafe.biz
