rugs
The cleaning and restoration of valuable Persian rugs and oriental carpets needs specialist expertise.
At Absolutely Fabulous we can offer you the information and advice you
need to ensure that your rug or carpet is
cleaned or restored to the highest standards.
A hand made rug is a piece that a weaver has spent months, even years
working on. With this in mind, you should take great care
in finding an experienced company to clean
your investment.
Cleaning oriental
carpets
Cleaning a rug regularly will prolong its life. Even though vacuuming can
remove most soil, it is also necessary to clean your rug on a regular
basis to remove the oily, sticky soil that vacuums don't remove.
These soils result from cooking vapours, air pollution, and tracked-in dirt
from outside. The particles of oily soil deposited on rug fibres can cause
gradual but significant dulling of colours.
The colour isn't lost, but is hidden under the film.
If this type of soil is allowed to accumulate, it begins to attract and hold
the dry soil.
Cleaning is offered for wool, silk, new and old
rugs as well as flood-damaged pieces. You can even have your wool rug
protected against moths and/or spillage of liquids (cold).
Before we clean your carpet or rug we first
carefully examine and assess the appropriate procedure. Dye stability tests
are done, then a careful hand or machine cleaning method will be used to
clean dust, grit and minor stains. This should then bring your carpet or rug
back to its natural shine and beauty.
Caring For You
Rug
Certain rugs, such as those of Asian origin, can be made from anything, from
silk to nylon to wool. Very special care must be taken when cleaning to
prevent any possible damage.
You can save money by taking these rugs to a cleaning facility. However, it
might be prudent to pay the service to have your rugs cleaned on site if you
have several rugs or if they are
very large and heavy.
Rotate your rugs at least once a year to even out effects of the sun and to
prevent uneven wear. Depending on traffic, the rotation may vary from six
months to two years. Experts recommend turning the rugs 180 degrees.
Consider swapping rugs from one room to another. This may just invigorate
your décor, and it will rejuvenate the life of your carpet.
Avoid constant direct exposure of your rug to sunlight & clean spills right
away to avoid discoloration.
Vacuum a couple of times per week to get rid of loose dirt and bring back
life to the fibres. Be sure not to vacuum the loose fringe. Vacuum both the
face and the back of your rug. Vacuuming is the best way to clean a rug:
hanging it outside and banging it with a broom or stick will eventually ruin
it.
Be sure to use a rug cleaning expert for professional cleaning, especially
deep cleaning. Professional carpet cleaning increases the life of the
carpeting and improves air quality, reducing allergies and illness.
As a rug buyer you must keep certain things in mind to get the service you
expect from your selection:
- Always lay rugs or carpets on smooth surfaces.
- Cut loose yarns or tufts even with the rest of
the pile. Never pull them, as they would have escaped the shearing of
the pile in the factory.
- Have holes and tears repaired promptly and by
a professional.
Be aware that the first few cleanings of machine
made rugs with cut pile surfaces will produce large rolls of fluff.
The deeper the pile the more difficult and the more important it is to clean
your rug meticulously to the very roots of the tufts, or else fine grit will
become entrenched and grind through the fibres at their base.
Caring for your area rug also involves keeping a coarse mat in front of the
door to stop dirt from being tracked inside of the house, and shedding your
shoes when you enter. Keep a shoe mat right inside the front door and have
family members and guests take off their shoes before proceeding through the
house.
To reduce carpet indentations, move your furniture every so often. Dab an
ice cube on the spot until the fibres bounce back.
A lot of people interchange between do-it-yourself cleaning and professional
cleaning. BEWARE Do it yourself machines and in experienced cleaners will
ruin your rug.
Stain Removal
Dilute spills with plenty of water as soon as they take place. Next, use
paper towels to blot or brush lightly from the outer edge of the spill
towards the middle to avoid spreading or causing “the ring” when using
solvents, especially on twist rugs and pile carpets. Test solvent on a
hidden area first. Avoid rubbing the spot. Take a spoon and carefully scoop
up the material if the spill is solid. Saturate, blot and brush to get rid
of old, dry and stubborn stains. NEVER use supermarket/high street products.
REMEMBER if in doubt call a professional.
Caring For Oriental Rugs
Oriental rugs insert ageless style to nearly any space, whether heirlooms or
fake antiques. True Oriental rugs are hand-woven of natural fibres and made
in geographic regions that comprise the Near East, Middle East, Far East and
the Balkans. Grime and grit will make your wool Oriental look dreary and
grey and make the fibres wear faster. The dust particles tend to grind in
and cut fibres. A complete cleaning to restore the richness of colour and
revive rug softness is suggested every three to six years if the rug is in a
high-traffic area.
It is because of careful handling that an Oriental rug can continue to exist
for centuries in reasonably good condition. Good quality padding will
protect your Oriental, especially in heavily trafficked areas; by prevent
needless friction from wearing out the rug. Never vacuum against the nap of
the rug, as this forces dirt back into the rug.
If your rug has a loose fringe, turn it under the
carpet before vacuuming. If a spill occurs, a good stain resistant treatment
is spot cleaning with mild soap and cold water or club soda. Use a sheet or
cloth to wrap your rug if it is to be stored for a long period of time, but
do not use an airtight plastic bag.
Handmade Oriental rugs are unpredictable. It’s always best to get advice for
cleaning from the place of purchase. Leave cleaning to the pros if you’re in
doubt. A good Oriental rug will last for generations if taken care of
properly.