RUG CARE MUST HAVES:
- White terrycloth towels
- Small bowls + sponge
- Club soda
- White vinegar + cool water (50/50)
- Soft brush (not too stiff)
- Hair dryer
RUG CARE MUST NEVER DO:
(Risk of color loss, discoloration, permanent yellowing, fiber damage and dye bleeding.)
Do NOT use on oriental and area rugs (wool/silk/cotton):
Folex, Resolve, Oxyclean, Simple Green, Woolite, Salt, Baking Soda, or Bleach.
RUG CARE “FUGITIVE” DYE TEST:
1) Run HOT WATER from the faucet, and wet a portion of a white TOWEL.
2) Wring the excess out so it is DAMP but not wet.
3) BEND open an area of the rug with “suspect” colors that may be fugitive.
4) Press the damp towel INSIDE the fibers (not just on the surface tips).
5) HOLD STILL for 10-15 seconds. (If you move you may move dye.)
6) Remove towel and see if there has been any color transfer.
7) If there has been color transfer – the dyes are FUGITIVE.
Food & Drink Spills (Dyes are colorfast)
- SPOON up solids, or VACUUM up dry pieces.
- If stain remains, use sponge to dampen the spill area with CLUB SODA.
- BLOT area with cotton TOWEL (do not rub).
- BLOT until spill stops transferring to the TOWEL.
- Place a folded towel UNDER and OVER the spill area to sandwich it.
- Stand on the sandwich to help excess moisture to wick out.
- Use hair dryer (on cool setting) to dry and groom the nap with the BRUSH.
- Prop area up for several hours so that the inside fibers dry completely.
Food & Drink Spills (Dyes are fugitive)
- Same steps as above EXCEPT substitute VINEGAR+WATER for the CLUB SODA
Pet Puddles
- Pick up solids. If stain remains, or if it is urine, dampen area with VINEGAR+WATER.
- Bend open the fibers and be sure to dampen full fibers (not just the top tips of them).
- BLOT area with cotton TOWEL (do not rub).
- BLOT until yellow urea stops transferring to the TOWEL.
- Place a folded towel UNDER and OVER the spill area to sandwich it.
- Stand on the sandwich to help the excess moisture to wick out.
- Use hair dryer (on cool setting) to dry and groom the nap with the BRUSH.
- MIST top side and back side of area with PUREAYRE Enzyme Spray.
- Prop area up for several hours so that the inside fibers dry completely.
FYI: Pet urine goes on hot and acidic, so it penetrates the fibers completely. Because rug dyes are acid dyes this means urine essentially “re-dyes” the fibers yellow and sets itself. If it is not dealt with immediately, stains can be permanent. You can lessen or remove the odor causing elements with the mentioned steps above.
OLD pet stains (7+ days) go from acidic to strongly alkaline in pH. Being the opposite of acid, this actually “dissolves” the rug dyes and can lead to color loss and dye migration in these specific areas. Repeated urine contamination not only devalues oriental rugs, it is also a health concern for the indoor living environment (i.e. sewage contamination).
Candle Wax (Supplies needed: brown paper bag and iron)
- Break off any large pieces before applying any heat.
- Cut piece of PAPER BAG larger than the wax spill and place over the area.
- With IRON on high setting, run the iron over the bag with short strokes.
- As the wax melts into the paper rotate the bag to continue absorbing the wax.
- Continue until no more wax melts into the bag.
Other Rug Tips
VACUUM weekly: Use upholstery attachment (or canister vacuum) when possible, running the head WITH the grain of the pile (not against it). If using an upright vacuum, put the beater bar setting on normal or high, and run side to side (so you don’t suck up fringe).
WASH recommendations: Rugs under normal (not heavy) use are to be cleaned every two years. Entry rugs, rugs in rooms with children/pets/allergy sufferers, can be cleaned annually. Rugs vacuumed weekly with moderate foot traffic can be cleaned every three years.
Use PADS for rugs on hard floors. They lessen wear, keep rugs in place, and deter insects
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