Myths About Rug Cleaning
Sometimes, what you hear about completing a task contains inaccurate information. It’s important to ignore common myths that could actually affect the health of your precious area or Oriental rug. Understanding these myths will allow you to keep your rug in the family for generations.
Myth: My rugs don’t look dirty, so I don’t need a professional cleaning.
It is advised to not wait until your rug looks obviously dirty before beginning any cleaning efforts. That can actually damage the rug fibers because the longer the dirt and dust remains in the rug pile, the more likely it is to literally cut away at the fibers like sandpaper. Waiting to clean the carpeting also can affect the health of your family members and visitors to your home. One square foot on an average rug can hold more than a pound of dirt, dust, and allergens per square foot before your rug will even appear dirty.
Myth: I can clean my own rugs at home.
There are several steps to professionally clean a rug, many of which can not be done in the home. The fringe also can not be adequately cleaning at home. Rugs and excessive moisture do not get along. If not dried properly, that moisture can lead to mold and dry rot, ultimately ruining your rug. A professional rug cleaning plant has a centrifuge to extract all the excess moisture from a rug after it is cleaned. Then hung in a climate controlled room where the rug can be cleaned completely and efficiently.
Myth: I have a protectant on my rug, I don’t need to worry about or address spills and stains.
A scotch guard or other protective coating put down on your rug is only meant to add a level of protection. Stains can still damage the fibers with this protection present, although they won’t soak in as quickly, and should be addressed immediately. It’s still crucial to address stains as soon as they occur because the protective coating will generally only delay the absorption of the stains. First use white paper towels to soak up as much of the stain as possible. Then, combine a mixture of white vinegar and water and lightly dab the area, once again using the paper towels to blot the moisture from the rug. If the spill does not disappear, it may be time to call a professional rug cleaner.
