Rug Cleaning Specialists for Swansea, Carmarthen, Neath and Cardiff, Red Dragon Rug Spa are Wales' best cleaners

Red Dragon Rug Spa Care and cleaning tips

We have put together the following list of tips to help you care for your oriental and decorative rugs. A rug, especially handmade, is a precious and valued item in any home and requires specific care to keep it in tip top condition. Obviously here at Red Dragon Rug Spa we can provide the most through and amazing clean, but between Spa treatments, you will no doubt wish to keep your rug in the finest condition. Follow the simple tips below to help maintain and restore your rug to it's prime.

Client testimonial

“ The results are absolutely staggering, you cleaned the rug previously and I was pleased enough to come back. This time the rug has been cleaned like new, with colours fully restored and it smells beautifully fresh. I have been telling everybody.” Mrs Christine Pinder, Swansea

Tips to Maintain Your Oriental Rugs

1. Vacuum your rug regularly on both sides. Sand and grit work down to the base of the pile where abrasive action damages the wool and results in loss of pile.
2. If food or liquids spill onto your rug clean the spill as soon as possible. Use only club soda and a clean white terry towel. Spills such as mustard, should be allowed to dry until hard and scraped off. Never use a cleaning agent as these may affect the dyes and produce permanent colour changes. Be sure that the top, under-surface of the rug, and the pad are completely dry before relaying the rug. Failure to do so can result in mould, mildew, and dry rot with significant damage.
3. Animal urine is very damaging to an oriental rug. It is not only unpleasant to smell but can result in dry rot and permanent staining or de-colorization of the dyes. Whenever accidents occur, use club soda and clean water to thoroughly flush the area. Make sure the rug is completely dry before replacing it flat on the floor. Pets tend to go again repeatedly in the same places. When long term use is discovered, consult a professional cleaner.
4. When should you have your rug professionally cleaned? This depends upon the location and traffic patterns in your home. Obviously, higher traffic exposes rugs to more dirt. When your rug is noticeably soiled, it is time to have it cleaned.
5. How should rugs be cleaned? Oriental rugs should never be "dry cleaned" using powders, as this simply polishes the surface and leaves a large quantity of gritty residue. Oriental rugs should never be "steam cleaned" as this will cause dyes to bleed. Oriental rugs should always be thoroughly dusted to remove dirt and grit prior to washing. This cannot be achieved by vacuum cleaning. If not properly done, the dirt residue hardens in the foundation of the rug and makes them stiff and brittle. Oriental rugs should always be thoroughly washed using an appropriately formulated detergent. They should be washed on both front and back surfaces. After washing, it is very important to thoroughly rinse the rug until all cleaner is removed. You should never simply surface shampoo your rug. This will merely brighten the surface and leave the shampoo and dirt in the rug.
6. A pad designed for oriental rugs is important for the long life of your rug. Oriental rug pads should be non-skid and promote air exchange between your rug and the floor. The pad should be designed so that dirt can settle to the floor and not damage the back of the rug.
7. Moth damage can occur anywhere but usually in dark areas under furniture that are not regularly vacuumed. The only long term effective moth proofing is zinc fluorosilicate, which lasts until a rug is cleaned. Other moth treatments lose their effectiveness in a few months. Be sure that any of your rugs partially concealed by furniture are properly treated.
8. Your rugs should be rotated 180 degrees periodically to minimize wear from traffic patterns and to even out any sun fading.
9. Any rug will fade if exposed to direct ultraviolet sunlight. Most modern windows are Low E and mostly eliminate this problem. Older windows may be coated with a UV blocking film to minimize this problem.

If you follow these suggestions, your rug will look beautiful, retain its value, and wear well for many years.