Find a 5 Steps Guide to Clean Persian Rugs

There are a lot of misconceptions about what methods can be used to clean a Persian rug. Some people believe that no cleaning should ever be done, to preserve the value of the rug. Others believe that they need only fix the damage and fix the problem, not clean it out or sanitize it. Some companies offer Persian rug cleaning and repair as their only service. This is again limiting as there is no way to guarantee that whatever problems occur will always be fixed without sanitizing first.

Blocking damaged areas with dyes and chemicals may also alter the color value of your carpet altogether. It will often cause more harm than good in time. This is why it is important to restore your Persian rug to its former glory safely. It has to be without having to worry about the rug losing value or getting worse with time. So how do you go about cleaning a Persian rug? Here is our process:

Step 1: Vacuuming

The first step in the cleaning of your Persian carpet is vacuuming. High-powered vacuums can be used with different attachments for hardwood flooring and delicate rugs/carpets. This ensures to get rid of loose dirt but also tiny particles. These have embedded themselves into the fibers over time. Make sure you choose a vacuum with HEPA filtration if possible. So that you are not breathing in the dust and dirt that you are vacuuming up.

Step 2: Pre-Treatment

Once you have vacuumed, it is now time for the pre-treatment of your Persian carpet. This step will be different depending on whether your rug is made of wool or silk. If it is made out of silk, there are two methods to clean it. The first method uses a much stronger chemical. This which has not been tested yet on wool rugs so use this with caution! After applying the cleaning solution, comb the rug thoroughly to ensure adequate penetration throughout all fibers. Then put your rug in a large plastic cover tub (use two if necessary). Fill water until very saturated but without causing the rug to float.

Let the rugs sit in these solutions overnight or even for up to a week. This will ensure that all dirt and stains are professionally removed from your carpet without damaging it. Wool rugs can be stubborn as they need much gentler chemicals for pre-treatment. So use only natural treatments on them. This is what is recommended for wool rugs instead of harsh chemicals. Because it is safe and gentle on all fibers including silk.

After a thorough vacuuming, the pre-treatment step is applied if necessary, using a professional commercial grade cleaner depending on the fiber content of your rug. Rinse with water after done.

Step 3: Sanitizing & Deodorizing

Once your rug’s pre-treatment step is done, it should be rinsed thoroughly to remove chemical residue. Depending on the chemicals used for treatment and other factors, some fabrics may need multiple rinses to ensure that no residues remain. Move the rug into a different sink or tub so that you can get fresh clean water onto it without any dirt getting back in there.

For silk Persian rugs, use white distilled vinegar rather than water to neutralize the pH of the silk fibers during this rinse cycle. The acidity of vinegar also acts as a safe deodorizer and natural disinfectant which will kill many germs that your rug might come into contact with after you bring it home. For wool Persian rugs, use a deodorizing spray. These sprays are safe to use and will not alter your colors or cause damage to delicate fibers.

Step 4: Conditioning

Most Persian rugs need some coaxing when it comes to the knotting and adhesion of yarns. This is why it is recommended to use a special combination of oils and waxes for conditioning your Persian rug. This is only used on old and fragile pieces that can handle it!

It is not recommended you doing this yourself since professional rug cleaners know how to handle these without harming them in any way. Not only does this step help remove frayed yarns and lumps that can occur naturally over time, but it also helps increase the softness, shine, and lifespan of your rug!

Step 5: Drying & Finishing

After conditioning comes drying. Let Persian rugs dry for anywhere between 2-4 days to ensure that they are completely dry. This is very important because if you do not properly dry your rug when it is wet then mildew or mold could form along the fibers which will damage your rug beyond repair.

Conclusion

However, if there is any residual moisture remaining in the middle of the weave after this amount of time has passed, use a dehumidifier on a low setting to remove it before moving onto finishing. After your rug is completely dry, apply a special finish.

This ensures that your new Persian rug will be protected and look as good as possible for many years to come! It’s important to note that you cannot shampoo and condition rugs at the same time because it will cause the wool fibers to clump together which decreases their strength and quality. So, don’t try doing both steps at once or you’ll end up damaging your rug.