How to Clean Oriental Rugs

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Oriental rugs are an exotic and sophisticated touch to any home or apartment. The addition of an oriental to a room significantly alters the feel and character of your living space. Oriental rugs, despite their name, describe meticulously crafted rugs from Iran, Turkey, India, Southeast Asia and elsewhere in the Middle East. Originally, these rugs were only available by import. Today, though, one can purchase high-quality handmade Oriental rugs from reputable manufacturers in the United States, too. Once you invest in an extraordinary Oriental rug, you want to keep it clean and well-maintained.

Steps

1. Respond immediately to stains. You can save yourself a lot of future trouble and headaches by cleaning stains immediately after they occur. By never letting a stain set, you can avoid having your Oriental rug permanently damaged and in need of a costly professional clean. You want to clean your rug once a month; regardless of how clean you think it may be, rugs pick up a lot of dirt every day from regular use. Flip your rug regularly so that no area side sustains more damage from the sun or everyday use than another.
2. Vacuum both sides. The first thing you want to do when routinely cleaning your Oriental rug is to get all the loose dirt, dust and grime off the rug. Pick one corner of your rug off the ground and give it a small kick or knock it with your fist. If you see a cloud of dirt or dust explode off the surface, your rug is in desperate need of a clean. Thoroughly vacuum the top of the rug before flipping it over and vacuuming the bottom.
3. Concoct a cold-water and white-vinegar solution.
   • Mix three parts water and one part vinegar. You don't want to overpower the smell with vinegar.
   • You never want to use soap or other harsh chemicals on the Oriental rug. Most Oriental rugs are made with vegetable dyes (natural dyes) which can easily run or discolor. Harsh chemicals will encourage discoloration. You do not want to use soap because their is no way to remove it 100% without rinsing it with a hose which will cause color runs and it will become sticky with residue which will cause black stains. Vinegar is an old remedy to naturally clean and freshen Oriental rugs, the colors will become more vibrant and it will provide a natural clean.
4. Mix the concoction in a spray bottle and lightly spray the rug evenly, allow to dry.
5. Use the same solution for the fringes of the rug. You can use a light brush and work it through the fringes as if you are brushing hair.
   • If the fringes are pure white, which can mean cotton, apply less vinegar and place a fan on the fringes to dry it faster. Cotton fringes are known to turn brown from the cotton fibers.
6. Place a floor fan on the rug to dry it faster. You do not want the Oriental rug to sit wet on your hard floors, the longer it sits wet, the better chance it has to mildew.
   • Do not hang the Oriental rug when it's wet (still dripping) this will cause color runs. You can hang the rug while it's damp.

Video

Related wikiHows

• How to Move Rugs
• How to Store Rugs
• How to Clean a Rug
• How to Buy Authentic Oriental Rugs
• How to Buy Persian Rugs
• How to Find Persian & Oriental Rugs to Beautify Your Home

Sources and Citations

• http://www.jacobsenrugs.com/clean.htm
• http://www.bukhara-carpets.com/making/oriental-rugs-care.html

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