Oriental rug cleaning may not be different from other types of rug cleaning. In handling oriental rugs, however, much care and precaution should be observed. This is because authentic oriental rugs are made by hands either by knotting or weaving the pile.
Oriental rugs that are made by machine or hand-tufting or any other methods aside from hand weaving and hand knotting are not considered genuine oriental rugs.
Oriental rugs are truly attractive. The life and beauty of these rugs depend on their cleanliness and how they are taken care of. Generally, cleaning an oriental rug is done every 3 to 5 years depending on how frequent it is used and how much foot traffic it handles.
Some owners determine the thickness of the dirt of their rugs before they clean them. One way of doing this is by lifting a part of the rug, and tap or rub the pile for a few seconds. If your hand is covered with dirt or when a cloud of smoke appears, then the rug needs cleaning.
In cleaning the rugs, you have to remember that most dyes of oriental rugs are acid-fast. Hence, in preparing for a cleaning solution, add a little amount of white vinegar to the water solution to make it more acidic. In turn, this will reinforce the bond between the wool in the rug and the dyestuff, thereby, preventing the colors from running.
Also, in blotting out the stains or dirt, use absorbent towels or non-shedding, firm sponges. Using a stiff brush will only pull the fibers off the pile. The pile must not be scrubbed hard either. Sponge where the direction of the nap goes, and put a few towels under the stained spot to keep the floor from getting wet. Then dry thoroughly.
Depending on the substances that stain the Oriental rug, the procedure for cleaning may vary. If it is pet stool or regurgitation of pet wastes, it is best to act immediately by taking out as much of the stool as possible. Use paper towels or clean white cloth.
If it is possible, use a spoon to scrape up everything from the rug. Then, using a rug shampoo, or cleaning solution, blot the area and sponge it gently.
Urine from pet or a tot is among the problems hard to deal with in Oriental rug cleaning. This is because the acidity in urine can cause severe color run in your rug, plus, the odor is hard to remove. Rugs that are stained with urine are more likely to get damaged because the chemical structure of the rug may change, causing the foundation less supple and hard. Moths are also attracted to the odor of urine.
As much as possible, avoid having urine or food spill to regurgitate on your rug as they can cause the rug to lose its mechanical strength. Eventually, the rug will crack and break as you roll or fold it. If it is a small rug, you can take it outside and wash down the stain with water from a hose, without making the whole rug wet. Oriental rug cleaning can be a laborious task. But it sure makes your rug longer lasting.