How to Keep Persian Rugs Clean

Cleaning handmade Persian area rugs requires care and attention. However, the whole rug doesn't get dirty simultaneously. Some portions require yearly cleaning, while you can leave other areas for years without cleaning. Cleaning handmade Persian area rugs at home can save you a lot of money on the cleaning, but it will require that you plan the activity a few days in advance so that you can gather the right materials to do the job properly, and not damage the carpet. But even if you gather the right materials, do you know the steps to take in cleaning your rug? You needn't worry; this article will make you clean your rug like a professional. Just take a chill pill and read on;

Prepare a Clean and Smooth Surface

The first thing you have to do when cleaning your rug is to prepare a clean and smooth surface. You will do your washing on it, so make sure it is clean. If possible, this should be done outdoors, in an area that does not get direct sunlight. You will have the chance to get positive results if the surface used is solid (the floor of the garage can be a great choice). Don't worry about a thing, because the water used for cleaning will not damage the floor. You can get the carpet outside if you want to dry it. If this option is not ideal for you, use the concrete driveway. What you should do is assure yourself that the surface used is extremely clean and flat.

Vacuum The Rug

Washing handmade Persian area rugs will have to start with you thoroughly removing any loose dirt from the carpet fibers. You can use a vacuum and gently suck the dirt from the fibers, or you can hang the rug outdoors and beat the dirt loose. If it has been a long time since you cleaned the carpet, you may want to hang the rug outdoors and beat it, then go over it with a vacuum. When you are running a vacuum over these carpets, make sure that you do not allow any of the border fringes, or loose threads to be caught by the nozzle. If you catch a loose thread, you could cause a rip to become more predominant.

Test

In a small area (not visible), test the soap that you will be using. This way you can check if the soap will blend the colors of the carpet together. Avoid using strong detergents or soaps that have ammonia. Make sure you have mild soap and a lot of cool water at hand. Do not use hot water because you risk getting the colors mixed together. Opt for cool water whenever you are faced with a job of this type. Put the soap on the surface of the carpet and use a brush with long hair, preferably one that is not stiff and can clean well. Make sure you brush the fibers in the same direction as the nap and never against it. Don't be too rough otherwise, you risk ruining the carpet.

Spot Clean Your Rug

You will need to spot-clean any stains that you find on the carpet. You will need white paper towels, a soft brush, like a soft-bristled toothbrush, and a mild cleanser, as well as a spray bottle of water. Gently spray the water on the area where the stain is located, take the brush, and dip it into the mild cleanser. Use the brush to work the cleanser down into the fibers of the carpet. Then blot the area with clean white paper towels. Do not rub the area, but instead press the paper towels firmly against the spot until the stain is lifted out.

You need to make a place to hang the rug when it is clean. It is best if you could leave the carpet where it was cleaned until it is completely dried, but to do that you must make certain that there will be no foot traffic on the rug while it is drying. When you hang the rug, it will be considerably heavier than it was when you laid it out to clean. This is due to the water that the fibers soaked up. Plan on having someone to help you lift the item if it is a large one. And there you go, your Persian rug is clean.