Area Rug Cleaning Tips

Taking special care of your area rug will prolong its life and appearance. Vacuum your area rug regularly to remove loose soil, taking special care when vacuuming fringe and edges. Some throw rugs, especially for bathrooms, can be washed in your home washing machine. But always comply with your manufacturer’s recommended cleaning methods to prevent warranty invalidation and damage to your rug.

Additionally, have a professional deep clean your area rug yearly to remove soil build-up. Several cleaning methods will work, but to prevent rapid re-soiling of your area rug, it is important to completely remove any cleaning agents. All rugs will occasionally fall victim to spills and soiling. Don’t panic. Follow these simple area rug spot removal tips.

Area Rug Spot Removal

No one likes it when there is a spill on the floor, but it can be cleaned before becoming a permanent part of the area rug. The information listed below will prepare you to properly deal with spills and keep your area rug clean for years to come.

Act Quickly! Most carpet available today has been treated with a stain-resist treatment, so many spills can be removed if immediate action is taken. The longer the delay, the higher the probability of a spill becoming a permanent stain. Remember, staining is influenced by many factors, and no carpet is completely stain proof.

• Blot liquids with a dry, white, absorbent cloth or white (no printing) paper towels. Do not scrub the area! Scrubbing can cause pile distortion in the affected area.
• Continue to use a dry cloth or paper towels until the area is completely dry.
• For semi-solids, gently scrape up with a rounded spoon. Solids should be broken up and vacuumed until completely removed. If the spot can be identified, locate the substance in the spot removal computer and follow the directions carefully.
• Pretest any spot removal agent in an inconspicuous area to make certain the solution will not damage the fiber or the dye. After applying several drops to the testing area, hold a white cloth on the wet area for 10 seconds. Examine the carpet and cloth for color transfer, color change, or damage to the carpet. If a change occurs, another cleaning solution should be selected. Apply a small amount of the selected cleaning solution to a white cloth, allow to sit for about 10 minutes and work in gently. Work from the edges of the spill to the center to prevent the spill from spreading. Do not scrub! Blot, absorbing as much as possible, and repeat if necessary.
• Continue using the first cleaning solution as long as there is a transfer of the spill to the cloth. It is not necessary to use all of the cleaning solutions if the first solution removes the spill.
• Be patient! Complete removal of the spill may require repeating the same step several times.
• After the spill has been completely removed, rinse the affected area thoroughly with cold water, and blot with a dry cloth until all of the solution has been removed. Some cleaning solutions will cause rapid soiling if the solution is not completely removed.
• Apply a one-half inch layer of white paper towels to the affected area, and weigh down with a flat, heavy object. Continue to change paper towels as needed. A dry, absorbent, cleaning compound may be used as a substitute to accelerate drying time.

If you have any questions about cleaning your Area Rug, Oriental Rug or any other rug cleaning service, feel free to call us at 904-724-0061 or fill out our contact form to request a complimentary, no obligation quote from one of our Jacksonville, FL Area and Oriental Rug Cleaning experts.