Oriental Rug Care and Cleaning

• Caring
  If oriental rugs have survived centuries in comparatively good condition.  It is because of careful treatment.  Oriental rugs will give remarkably long service if treated with proper consideration. Their two enemies, apart from the inevitable destructive effect of wear, are moths and dampness.  The former are best controlled by frequent moving or handling and by regular exposer to light and air. If rugs must be stored, regular inspection at intervals is essential.  A rug in use is rarely in danger from moths. Certain chemical applications will render the wool inedible to moths. Dampness will in time rot the threads and destroy the fabric, so it must be avoided. If any mechanical damage is sustained, such as cut or burn, the damage should be dealt with as soon as possible by a competent expert, because such lesions get worse very quickly. In ordinary use, quite apart from accidents, the ends sides often tend to wear and fray, in which the damage should be repaired.  Places in the middle of carpet that are locally worn or damaged can have knots inserted, and even large holes can be restored to make the rug almost as good as new, though such work is rather expensive. In carpets of less value, instead of new knotting, patches cut from a suitable rug can often be inserted, a less cost, and sometimes small rug can be made from a larger worn one by cutting away the bad parts.

The following are few more hints to help you take good care of your oriental rugs.

• Rotation
  Frequently rotate the from sunny areas to the other side of the room to equalize the effect of the sun. Continued exposer to bright hot sun rays and even indirect sunlight will cause damage to the dyed fabric used in oriental rugs. On bright sunny days, use window shades, shutters, or heavy curtains to reduce the sun damage.  You can also apply a sun screen to your windows to filter the damaging  sun rays.  Also in terms of fading, sometimes gases and fumes (from furnaces, cooking stoves, chimneys, and auto exhaust ) mix with oxygen and humidity in the atmosphere form an acid. This acid reacts on the wool and causes deterioration and discoloration. Usually faded areas are hidden by soil and will not be noticed until the surface has been cleaned.  In this case, obvious color fading can be avoided by rotating rugs from time to time so that all parts of the rug will have equal exposure.
• Padding
  Good quality padding protects the rug, specially in heavy traffic areas. The best padding is Synthetic fiber with rubber backing to keep the rug from mowing and wrinkling. The life of an oriental rug can be doubled with the use of a good quality pad.
• Hanging
  Before hanging carpets on the wall one should be certain that the warp threads can stand the strain.  Do not use nails or staples at the top of a heavy rug to hang for long periods of time.  Use a strong poster holder to distribute the weight of the rug evenly.
• Storing
  If a rug is to be stored for a long period of time, use a sheet of cloth to wrap it but do not use an airtight plastic bag.  Oriental rugs need to breathe and they will sometimes rot or mildew in a plastic bag.  They could also be rolled up and kept in a chest with some Para dichlorobenzene crystals, which will have to be re- newed every few months.  Ideally, large carpets should be rolled around poles, the protruding ends of which should rest on blocks or trestles.  It is not advisable to let carpets lie flat on top of one another for any length of time.
  Do not store rugs in a humid, damp, warm, or poorly ventilated room. This causes mildew which has a musty odor, discolors the fabrics, and weakens them so that they fall in pieces. Never leave an oriental rug wet. Failure to remove all the moisture might result in mildew.
  Do not store an oriental rug in a hot closet.  The base of a rug can dry out and become brittle, destroying the strength and durability of the rug.
• Moths
  Moths can cause extensive damage to oriental rugs. Not only do their larvae eat the pile, but they also eat the knots on the back of a rug.  Moths larvae are specially attracted to the areas such as those under furniture that remain relatively undisturbed,  It is quite simple to eliminate these pests and safeguard against their return.  Both front and back of a rug should be sprayed about every six months with any one of a number of available moth sprays.
• Crushed Pile
  To right the pile that is indented or crushed area by the legs of heavy furniture, brush the depressed area with a soft brush and faintly mist the area with water and follow up by brushing.
• Cleaning
  The beauty and life of oriental rugs are depended largely on cleanliness and care. Lack of correct maintenance will contribute to a loss in the potential of investment.
• Vacuuming
  Never vacuum against the nap of the rug (the direction of the nap can easily be determined by running the hand across the pile from fringe to fringe). Vacuuming against the nap also drive dirt back into the rug. Never vacuum the rug’s fringes.  The continued catching of the fringe in the suction of a vacuum cleaner causes the fringes to break and tear. As a general rule vacuum your rug with low level suction, using a newly replaced bag.
• Sweeping
  Sweeping with a broom is the best way to remove loose soil. A rug should be swept at least once a week with a broom. It helps to bring out the natural patina, or sheen, in the rug.
• Beating
  One of the best cleaning methods is beating several times on each on each side during dry weather.  But this is rarely possible in crowded urban areas. In most cases the carpet has to be washed.
• Washing
  Oriental rugs should be washed regularly every three to five years depending on the use and the amount of Traffic they bear.
  Never clean oriental rugs chemically or by steams. They remove the natural oils and cause the pile to become brittle and wear more rapidly.
  Do not wash rugs in a machine.
  Do not wring out squeeze an oriental rug because it dislodges the pile from the foundation.  Let the rug dry on a towel or on grass for a full day.
  Do not, unless absolutely necessary, submerge an oriental rug in water (unless it is done by professional hand made rug cleaner) . Surface cleaning is usually all that required.
• Stain Removing
  Take care of any kind of spill immediately.  Spills of coffee or milk may be removed without permanent stain if taken care of right away. Dilute the spill with plenty of water and blot the wet area until all of the moisture is removed.  Then, brush or scrape any excess immediately to prevent penetration and chemical reaction with the fibers and colors. If the cause and nature of staining substance are known, follow the instruction in the table.
  
  All techniques herein and pertaining to washing and stain removing are of a general nature only. You consult an expert rug cleaner or your rug salesperson for further advice.  You may also contact Bijan about your questions using the contact form.
   
• Blotting
  The most effective way of preventing a spill from turning into a stain, is blotting up as much moisture as you can with lots of clean towels (or paper towels), and scraping up all solids.  Begin at the center.  Do not rub because this rubbing will only spread the stain.
  Do not apply a spot remover until you have done a through job of blotting.
  The best way to blot any kind of spill is to take a spoon and scoop it up, making sure not to rub the stain further into the carpet.
• General Procedure
  Always rub or brush lightly from the outer edge toward the center of the stain to prevent spreading or causing “The Ring” when using solvents, specially on twist rugs and pile carpets. On old, dry or stubborn stains, saturate, blot and brush.  Repeat this operation as often as necessary to remove the stain completely.
• Satin removal Package
  You have to act quickly, which you should keep a box containing the following on hand at all times:
  1) Dry cleaning fluid
  2) Alcohol
  3) Glycerin
  4) Sponges
  5) White Vinegar
  6) Weak Ammonia 7% Solution
  7) Clean Cloth
  8) A Cloth Brush
  9) Mild detergent (containing no alkalis or bleaches), wool lite for example
• Tips on Cleaning Up Stains
  1) Do it fast.
  2) Blot up excess spills with paper towels. Do not rub.
  3) Apply cleaning agents with dry cloth, working from the edge to the center of stain.
  4) Do not soak.
  5) Pat with the paper towels. Dry with fan or hair blower.
  6) Restore pile with cloth brush.
• Candle Wax
  Place a blotter or brown paper bag over the spot.  Put a hot iron over the blotter.  Wait a few seconds until the wax is absorbed into the blotter. Repeat if necessary.  Move the iron constantly to avoid overheating one spot.
• Chewing Gum
  Press ice cubes against spot.  Wait until the gum becomes brittle and breaks off.  Use the spot remover to get rid of last traces.
• Glue
  Saturate the spot with cloth soaked in vinegar or alcohol.
• Ink from the ball point Pen
  Saturate the spot with hair spray. Allow it to dry. Brush lightly with a solution of water and vinegar.
• Spot and Stain Removal Procedure

A B C D E Detergent Clening fluid Detergent Detergent Detergent Blot Blot Blot Blot Blot Vinegar Blot Vinegar Ammonia Ammonia Blot Detregent Blot Blot Blot Detergent Blot Ammonia Detergent Vinegar Blot Water Blot Blot Blot Water Blot Detergent Water Detergent Blot Ammonia Blot Blot Blot Rinse Blot Water Rinse Water Blot Detergent Blot Blot Blot   Blot Rinse   Rinse   Water Blot   Blot   Blot         Rinse         Blot

• Stain Treatment Index

Acid D Lacquer B Alcoholic Beverages A Lard D Ammonia or Alkali A Lipstick A Beer E Machine Oil B Berries E mayonnaise B Bleach A Mercurochrome E Blood D Merthiolate E Butter B Metal Polish A Candy (Suger) A Milk A Carbon (Black) B Mix Drink E Catsup B Mud A Charcoal A Mustard E Chocolate, Cocoa A Paint B Coffee D Perfume A Cooking Oil B Rust A Cosmetics B Salad Dressing B Crayon B Sauce A Creme De Men The C Shortening B Dye (Blue or Black) C Soft Drinks E Dye (Red) E Soy Sauce B Egg B Starch B Excrement B Tar B Fish Slime B Tea B Fruit Juice E Tooth Paste A Furniture Polish B Urine* D Gravy A Varnish B Hair Oil B Vaseline B Hair Spray B Vomit* B Hand Lotion B Washable Ink A Ice Cream B Wine* E

* It is very important to follow the procedure for the stain immediately when it happens. Otherwise, consult your rug expert.

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