Rug Cleaning Tips Los Angeles

Rug Cleaning Tips

Rug Cleaning Tips Los Angeles

Our rug cleaning tips have some of the most important information for any rug owner. Depending your rugs location, an area rug might be subjected to lots of abuse. Dirt, dust, sand, oily cooking residue, moisture (especially in kitchen or bathroom areas), along with spills and foot traffic can have a large impact on the appearance and the life of your rugs.

Your rugs may look as though they're losing their vibrant color when often it's just the color being covered by soil and grime. The fibers of a rug can become packed and matted if dirt, dust and other particles are not removed on a regular basis. When fibers become packed and matted, some rugs have a tendency to attract and hold even more dirt and other types of particles.

The services of a professional rug cleaner should be utilized periodically to ensure your rugs get a complete and thorough cleaning to help keep them at their best. A professional will know the best cleaning methods for the different types of rugs. It is highly recommended to always let a professional clean certain types of rugs, such as high-quality rugs, hand-made Persian and Oriental rugs, as well as antique rugs. Here's a practical rule of thumb to keep in mind: The more valuable a rug is or the more fragile it is, the more you should be inclined to have the rug professionally cleaned.

Rug Cleaning Tips

Rotate Your Rugs - It is recommended that you rotate your rugs at least once a year. This means turning the rug end for end or 180 degrees. This helps the rug to wear more evenly. Sunlight can cause fading and traffic patterns can cause uneven wear and rug cleaning just can't undo that. So, rotate your rugs and avoid excessive fading or deterioration. Most pictorial rugs do not fall under this guideline of rug rotation since they might feature a design or scene that is best when the rug is placed one certain way.

Vacuum (or Shake) Your Rugs
Vacuuming is an essential part of rug cleaning for most rugs because dirt and sand act as abrasives and can damage or break down the fibers of your rug.

I said 'most rugs' in the previous statement because it is better to shake out a few types of rugs, such as a flokati rug or a leather shag rug, rather than to vacuum them. After shaking a flokati rug, the fibers can be gently 'combed' or 'raked'. Some rugs, such as those made from sisal or bamboo, can be shaken OR vacuumed. Smaller rugs can be shaken by hand. Hold one end of the rug and shake it so you give it a good 'snap' to loosen dirt and other particles. Then, do the same while holding the opposite end of the rug. Rugs that are too large to be shaken in this manner can be hung over a fence or a clothesline and beaten on the back/bottom of the rug with a broom handle or similar object.

Although some rug experts advise vacuuming expensive or elaborate rugs on a daily basis, it's a fact of life that most people already have enough to do and daily vacuuming is not always going to happen. So, the best thing is to fit it in as often as possible. Keep in mind that rugs in busy areas, such as a family room or hallway, need to be vacuumed more often than rugs in areas with less activity or traffic.

Rug Vacuuming Tips

These vacuuming tips apply no matter whether the hose and an attachment are used or the beater bar is used. Change the vacuum bag or empty the dust bin regularly. A vacuum will lose efficiency as the bag/bin becomes more than half-full and letting a bag/bin get completely full could damage the motor. Some new rugs might need to be vacuumed more often during the first year due to fuzz on the rug. This 'fuzzing' is normal and it does not shorten the life of your rug in any way. It is the result of loose fibers that cling to the rug during the weaving process. Vacuum rugs by going over them in both directions, especially on rugs with a traffic pattern. This will help prevent matting.

NOTE: Contrary to that last statement, some experts advise that vacuuming a rug should be done only in the direction of the pile; in the same way a cat is stroked. Please understand that different opinions are shown because it just seems fair to present both points of view and leave it up to you to decide what is best in your particular situation.

Vacuuming Tips for Cut Pile Area Rugs

Cut pile rugs have a smooth, even surface that is created when the tops of the loops are cut off. A vacuum with a rotating beater bar will vibrate or gently agitate the rug pile allowing particles to become loosened and suctioned into the vacuum. If suction only is used on cut pile rugs without the benefit of a beater bar, it will remove surface particles but could leave other particles imbedded in the rug that can cause excess wear and tear through abrasion. Adjust the height of the beater bar so that it will lightly vibrate the rug. If the beater bar is set too low, it could cause the vacuum motor to slow down as well as cause damage to the rug. Check to make sure the beater bar is rotating properly. A worn or loose belt may cause the bar to operate less efficiently. Be careful with rugs that have fringe on the ends. Do not run the beater bar over the fringe because part of the fringe may get caught and be pulled out.

Vacuuming Tips for Rugs with Looped Textures

On area rugs with looped textures, vacuum the rug regularly using suction only. Avoid using the rotating beater bar. This will keep the loops from getting damaged.

Moving and Storing Rugs

Rugs should be rolled, not folded. When transported in a moving van, a rolled rug should be placed on top of furniture and then have nothing heavier than a lamp shade placed on top of the rug. If a rug ends up with a crease, it will soon disappear when the rug is laid flat and the rug is walked on. If a corner of a rug does not want to lie flat, a small stack of books placed on the corner for a few days will 'iron' it out. For long-term storage, a rug should first be professionally cleaned and mothproofed and then wrapped in a clean, breathable (not plastic) material to help avoid mildew.

Does Your Rug Need Cleaning?

There are telltale signs that let you know if your rug needs to be cleaned. Take a plain white towel and dampen it and then rub it across the surface of the rug. If the towel becomes soiled, you'll know that the rug needs to be cleaned. Lift a corner of the rug and if dirt comes out when you slap the rug with the back of your hand, it's time for a good cleaning. Look at the foundation of the rug by gently pulling the fibers apart and if you see dirt in the warp and weft threads of the foundation, then a good rug cleaning is needed. If you have a cat or dog and you catch the pet leaving a mark, there's a good chance it isn't the first time that has happened. Clean the rug and get a book about behavior modification for pets.

Rug spills happen!

And when they do, its best to take care of them right away. No need for a professional rug cleaner in most cases. Usually, quick action and a few simple steps are all you need to take care of a spill. Time is of the essence when there is a spill on a rug. Many rugs have a stain-resistant treatment that does not allow the spill to be absorbed into the rug right away, giving you a few minutes to start taking action. Also, wool fibers have a natural tendency to shed liquid, so quick action can keep the spill from getting worse. Most liquids can be blotted with a plain white (no printing or design) paper towel if done before the liquid has a chance to be absorbed into the rug. Do not use a rubbing or scrubbing motion, as that will spread the liquid and/or cause pile distortion.

Food spills that are solid or semi-solid (things like peanut butter, jelly, fruit or ice cream) can be picked up with a spoon or the edge of a blunt knife. The remaining stain can be removed using white paper (plain white paper towels, tissue or napkins) to blot and absorb the moisture. Then, if needed, apply a little bit of the cleaning solution as shown below.

Make Your Own Cleaning Solution

This cleaning solution can be used on Wool, Acrylic, Nylon, Olefin or Polyester. Make a detergent solution for cleaning spots and spills as follows:
One teaspoon of a mild dish washing detergent OR One teaspoon of a neutral detergent (such as liquid Lux, Dreft, or Vel – a brand used for washing lingerie)
One teaspoon of pure white vinegar
Combine those two things in a quart of warm water

First, absorb as much liquid as possible (with a plain white paper towel) and the use a plain white cloth to apply the solution to the spot by dabbing it on. Do not use a vigorous rubbing or scrubbing motion because that will cause distortion to the pile. Work inwards from the edges of the spot or spill. Also, work in the direction of the pile as much as possible.