Carpet rug cleaning is a little bit different than regular wall to wall carpet cleaning. With rugs, you have to handle them a bit more delicately, especially if they are old. Plenty of people have antique or heirloom rugs that they still use for decorative or even utilitarian purposes, and you simply can not clean these rugs in the traditional way. Their age and delicacy makes it too easy to ruin them if you are not careful, especially if the rug was hand made. So, how do you clean a dirty heirloom rug without destroying it?

Well, first of all, avoid all modern carpet cleaning chemicals when performing carpet rug cleaning on an old rug. You want to go as totally natural as you can. Take into consideration the condition the rug is in. Is it very delicate, or does it still have some hardiness left in it? This will determine how much scrubbing, if any, it can take. If it still has some strength left in it, you will probably want to wash it by hand, and then hang it up to dry. Don’t do too much scrubbing, so you don’t fray the carpet fibers or cause any weaving to come undone. Just a gentle swish around in some warm water with a mild detergent and then a good rinse in cold water is all you need. Never put the rug through the dryer or it could shrink. Hang it up to dry, just like our ancestors did.

If the rug is in fragile condition, you may need to take it to a professional cleaner. You could get it dry cleaned, but if it is made with certain fabrics, such as silk, this could end up destroying the material. Your best bet for carpet rug cleaning for very delicate old rugs is to take them to a professional carpet cleaner who is experienced in dealing with heirloom pieces and will know exactly how to clean it right while preserving its integrity and not damaging it in any way. Most professional carpet cleaners are trained in these methods, and if they are not, they can usually refer you to someone who is. This is your best choice if you want to preserve an old rug that may have been in your family for many generations.

It usually doesn’t cost too much to get your carpet rug cleaning done, even with very old rugs. After all, it is just one rug, and it will usually be a small one. While it may cost a few extra dollars for archival type cleaning, it still won’t cost nearly as much as it would to clean your entire wall to wall carpeting throughout your house. So, try a professional rug cleaner and see what they can do for you and your special heirloom rug. You just may be surprised.

Similar Posts:

• Carpet Rug Cleaning- Something We All Face to Do Once in a While
• Residential Carpet Cleaning- A Good Business to Start
• What are Some of the Best Carpet Cleaning Methods?
• Carpet Cleaning Solutions and Chemicals- How Do They Stand Up Against Pure Water?
• Should You Hire Professional Home Carpet Cleaners?