Archive for rug cleaning tips
How To Maintain Your Seattle Area Rugs
Cleaning and maintaining your area rugs is important if you want to get a long life out of them. Before you can effectively clean your rugs, you must understand that dirt, dust, and allergens do accumulate in them, especially in high traffic areas (such as in front of doors).
It is important to vacuum your area rugs at least once a week, and in extra high traffic zones (such as in front of an entrance door where no mudroom exists) it is probably best to do this twice a week. If you have not vacuumed in several weeks or months, be prepared for a lot of dirt and dust.
When vacuuming, use a plain vacuum nozzle so that the rotating brushes on the vacuum do not catch and deteriorate or destroy your rug. Also be sure to vacuum against the nap. If you go in the direction of the nap, all the dust and dirt gets moved into tiny crevices which then act like a shelter against the vacuum’s effects, trapping the dirt in the rug. By going against the nap, the vacuum is then able to reach all of the hidden areas to ensure a deep clean. Be sure to move the rug and vacuum the floor under it as well, as dirt can accumulate there.
Area rugs also tend to get used more in certain areas than others, leaving them looking uneven. Sun-splotching can also occur. To avoid this, be sure to move the rug around, turning it’s direction either 90 or 180 degrees ever couple months, while also ensuring it continues to add a special quality to your room. This will help keep the rug looking vibrant and youthful as well, since it will give the rug a little time to bounce back.
Also be sure the rug is not too large for the area. Rugs that are too large can over-take a room, losing their special appeal, and causing furniture to be placed on them. If this happens, your rug will develop grooves, permanent markings, and will lose its natural look. Rugs should be accents that flow naturally with the room, and must be maintained to uphold that quality. Instead of using your couch or chair to hold your area rug in place, consider rug pads, or some other solution that helps hold your rug in place without damaging your floor or your rug.
If your rug requires a deeper clean, it may be time to give in and call a professional cleaning service. They usually have solutions and know the proper temperature of water to use for shampooing rugs and carpets. If a spill requires immediate care, it is important to respond promptly, and to use a clean cloth or paper towel to blot up as much of the spill as possible. If water is necessary, be sure to only use water on the spill area, and to use only a minimal amount of cool water. Try to avoid water whenever possible, though, due to the possibility of the rug’s foundation deteriorating over time.
If there are any questions or concerns about rug cleaning and maintenance, it is always a good idea to call your local carpet and rug cleaners for tips and advice. If they are unwilling to do so, contacting the carpet or rug store where you purchased the rug might get you the information you need. Please take into consideration the type of rug you have and it’s special needs before performing any type of shampooing.
Oriental Rug Cleaning – Choosing the Right Professional Area Rug Cleaning Seattle Company
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You want to have your fine Oriental area rug looking great for many years to come, to enjoy its beauty and intricate design. The key to your area rug looking its best is to properly care for it, insuring your enjoyment and pleasure for generations. Oriental area rug experts uniformly agree that the best and most appropriate method of cleaning an Oriental area rug is to hand wash it in water and without harsh chemicals. This simple, yet effective method of cleaning has been used for centuries. Although time consuming, it certainly is well worth the effort.
Professionally washing your treasured Oriental area rug in Seattle is your best assurance for its protection and longevity. Over time, soil, dirt, dust and sand accumulate in your rug, hasten wear and damage the fibers. Eventually, such a rug environment becomes very attractive to mold and moth larvae.
Although regular vacuuming is important to the health of your Oriental rug, it does not take the place of a professional Seattle rug cleaning. A true professional Oriental area Seattle rug cleaner will not take chances with your valuable and valued rug. He will not expose your lovely rug to harsh chemicals or machine washing. Such delicate work must be done by hand by an experienced, well trained and professional rug cleaner that knows the differences in rug fibers, dyes and methods of production.
To choose the proper professional Oriental rug cleaners, there are certain questions you should ask. Listen carefully to the answers given, to make sure your rug will get the best and most appropriate care.
Questions to Ask an Seattle Area Rug Cleaner:
How much experience do the area rug cleaning professionals on your staff have?
Professional area rug cleaning businesses must have people experienced in cleaning as well as repair for over 3 to 5 years.
Are you a member, in good standing, of the BBB (Better Business Bureau)?
Any reputable service company would register with the Better Business Bureau.
Is your company insured and bonded?
Area rugs may have high sentimental and monetary value. You want to make sure that while your rug is in the possession of the rug cleaning company, you are protected against the rug being stolen or damaged.
What steps are included in the cost of your service?
Typical steps should include inspection, dusting, cleaning, grooming and drying. Some companies have additional services they offer, such as moth repellent, fabric protector, custom rug pad installation, area rug repair and restoration.
What type of equipment do you use to clean area rugs?
While methods of cleaning depend on your particular rug, professional companies invest heavily in professional equipment. They typically have specialized dusting equipment, specialized drying facilities, as well as specialized washing equipment. Stay away from regular carpet cleaning companies who will just hose down your rug on the concrete floor and apply harsh chemicals. Even if it will not damage your rug, it certainly will not clean it.
Do you move furniture as part of the service cost? If so, are any pieces of furniture not typically moved?
Rugs can be damaged if heavy furniture is moved incorrectly.
Do you offer pick up and delivery? If so, does that service cover my Seattle zip code? How much does it cost?
Oriental rugs may be pretty heavy and not easy to transport. Typically, rug cleaning companies arrange the pickup and delivery. Some companies pick up and deliver free of charge.
Do you provide a guarantee for your service?
You want to make sure you rug will not be damaged. Make sure that company stands behind its promises.
Do you provide an in home quote prior to cleaning area rugs? Will that estimate be in writing? What issues might cause that estimate to increase or decrease?
Professional rug cleaners must provide an approximate quote before they pick up your rug. While the price may increase or decrease based on a further careful evaluation at the rug cleaning plant, you must be notified about it as soon as possible.
What method of area rug cleaning do you recommend for my rug?
Give the professional rug cleaner as much information as you can about our area rug: the fiber it is made of (Wool, Silk, Sisal, Nylon.. ), country of origin, whether it is handmade or machine made. The more information you provide the rug cleaning company, the more specific and comprehensive the cleaning plan for your rug will be.
Can your process and equipment remove urine, dust, stains from my area rugs?
Specify what kind of contamination you have on your rug. Don’t worry about saying words like dog urine, spills, dirt, dust or anything else that may be on your rug. Professional rug cleaners are trained experts and they would be able to tell you what they can and cannot clean. Professional area rug cleaning might be able to remove dust, dirt, odors, urine and stains. A professional rug cleaner must be up front with you about what he can and cannot do.
When you have complete and satisfactory answers to the above questions, chances are you have found a quality Oriental area rug cleaning professional in Seattle. Once you schedule an area rug cleaning and find it satisfactory, schedule a regular cleaning session once every year or so, depending on foot traffic and general abuse your Oriental area rug is subjected to.
Oriental area rugs are sturdier than you may think. They do need periodic washing, vacuuming and rotating to prevent uneven wear and sunlight damage. However, as you care for and maintain your Oriental rug, you will enjoy the results for a lifetime.
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Do It Yourself Seattle Rug Cleaning Tips
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Here are some tips to keep your rugs clean. Of course you need your weekly maintenance as outlined below, but you also need a regularly scheduled Seattle rug cleaning company to thoroughly clean them. There are things you don’t even see living in your carpets like carpet bugs and other organisms.
- Weekly vacuuming on both sides is ideal. If that’s not possible, you should do it at least once every two weeks.
- 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. You may also rearrange furniture to change traffic patterns.
- 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 lampshade 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.
- Rugs and carpets eventually get dirty. For a really thorough cleaning that gets rid of stains, spills and mud, you’ll need a good steam cleaning carpet cleaner. Professional companies offer this service, and are able to come into your home and do a very complete job of steaming your carpet clean but may be exoensive.
- Another way that you can clean your carpet is by renting or purchasing a carpet cleaner/extractor. This type of machine will do a fairly good job of cleaning your carpet superficially, but because they don’t have the ability to actually steam the fibers, all of the stains and dirt may not be removed.
- Many rugs are treated to be stain resistant which delays the stain setting in, giving you a chance to act. The key is to treat the stain or spill quickly before it is absorbed by the rug and dries.