In this article, we’ll guide you on how to clean Persian rugs at home. Discover effective methods for cleaning handmade carpets, tackling common stains, and preserving the timeless beauty of your Persian rugs. Can I clean my Persian rug myself? Can you wash a Persian rug with soap and water? Can I shampoo my Persian rug? Join us as we answer these questions and to know important principles in washing and maintaining handmade carpets.
How To Clean A Handmade Rug?
Eventually, your handmade rug will need cleaning. Dirt, paint stains, spills, and pet stains can make your rug look dingy and old. Handmade rug cleaning may seem overwhelming, but with our simple tips, keeping your handmade rug looking its best is easy.
How to clean Persian rugs at home without washing:
To wash the entire carpet by hand, follow these steps:
- Mix water with a small amount of mild detergent (preferably non-chemical).
- Wash the carpet using a clean sponge dipped in the water and detergent mixture.
- Clean the sponge regularly during the process.
- After washing the entire carpet, go over it again with clean water to ensure all detergent is removed, as it can attract dirt once the carpet dries.
- Once you’re certain it’s thoroughly cleaned, it’s time to dry. Carefully spread the carpet in a dry environment. For specific spots, leave the affected area in the open air slightly above the ground. Remember, open air and sunlight are the best drying agents. If stains persist after following these steps, we recommend seeking professional cleaning for your Persian rug. Additionally, ensure your carpet can endure the cleaning process without causing damage to its texture, surface, or susceptibility to carpet pests like Tineola bisselliella.
Notice: Keep in mind that washing the entire handmade carpet at home with regular detergents is never recommended. Common issues like tearing, staining, or stretching of the fibers can occur. This recommendation is solely for the localized removal of dirt or stains.
Shake Your Rug Out:
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- Roll up your handmade rug and take it outside.
- Firmly hold the corners and powerfully shake them to remove dirt and debris.
- If too large to shake, hang it over a railing and beat it with a broomstick.
Notice: Exercise caution when shaking the carpet; strong blows or pulling, especially at the corners and fringes, can potentially cause damage. This sensitivity is more pronounced, particularly in the case of old and antique carpets.
Vacuum the Carpet:
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- Thoroughly vacuum your rug starting from the back to loosen dirt within the fibers.
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- Disable the beater brush for long-fiber rugs.
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- Avoid vacuuming fringe and knots with the beater brush.
Notice: Sweeping a handmade carpet is necessary only when it’s dirty and should be done with care. Continuous sweeping, especially for antique carpets, poses a risk of wear.
Spot Clean:
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- Sprinkle an ample amount of baking soda on the stain, ensuring thorough coverage for absorption. Allow a few minutes for it to fully dissipate. If you’ve spilled a substantial amount of liquid, use a dry towel to absorb the water before applying baking soda to the remaining stain.
- Opting for natural detergents like vinegar and water is a preferable choice over chemical alternatives.
Video : You can watch this video for more information.
Large Stain or Dirt Needs an Expert:
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- Stains like paint, oil, or coffee may permeate the weft, making it unsuitable for washing machines.
- Avoid using water pressure machines or washing machines, especially for delicate carpets like silk or antique ones.
- It’s advisable to entrust the cleaning of sensitive carpets to specialists, as the high risk involved in washing handwoven carpets can lead to irreparable damage.
Notice: While it’s possible to clean small stains on a handmade carpet at home if you encounter a more significant issue, minimize the risk of damage to your valuable carpet by entrusting it to a professional carpet cleaning service. This is especially crucial for elegant or long-lived carpets, such as antique, vintage, and silk varieties.
Area Rug Cleaning: Issues When Using a Machine
While area rugs are versatile and generally easier to clean than carpets, machine washing may not be suitable for all types of rugs:
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- Color Fading/Bleeding: Washing delicate fabrics in warm water can lead to fading.
- Shortening The Life Of The Rug: Agitation during washing can damage fibers, particularly in older or antique rugs.
- Destroying The Fabric: Enzymes in laundry detergent, designed to remove stains, may harm delicate wool or silk fibers.
Notice: Although it is possible to wash a hand-woven carpet with a machine, this work requires high expertise. One of the factors that damage the carpet is the wrong use of the machine, so it is better to don’t take the risk.
How To Properly Clean Your Area Rug?
For area rugs, especially those made of delicate fabrics like wool or silk, professional cleaning is recommended:
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- Expertise Matters: Professional cleaners, use gentle yet thorough methods to preserve your rug’s color, shape, and texture.
- Comprehensive Cleaning Process: Inspection, color testing, dry dirt removal, shampooing, rinsing, grooming, drying, and hand-cleaning fringes ensure a meticulous cleaning process.
- Preserving Rug Integrity: Professional cleaners use cutting-edge equipment and expertise to free deeply trapped dirt while maintaining the integrity of your rug.
Conclusion:
While the cleaning methods we mentioned can fix minor problems, leaving your beloved handmade rug to a cleaning professional is the best way to ensure its longevity and beauty. Professional cleaners with their specialized knowledge and equipment can provide a comprehensive cleaning process that maintains the integrity of the carpet. From detailed inspection to color testing, dry soil removal and gentle washing, these experts understand the unique needs of handwoven rugs. In this article, we found Important principles in washing and maintaining handmade carpets also you should know that these mentioned methods are different in hand-woven carpets and machine-made carpets. In this article, you can read more about the difference between hand-woven carpets and machine-made carpets.