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The Finest Rugs for the Finest Homes

Rug Cleaning Guide

RUG CARE AND CLEANING FOR HAND-KNOTTED RUGS 
 
Never use bleach or floor polishers on the rugs. Spot cleaning when spills happen: 
• Act Fast 
• BLOT – NEVER RUB 
• Clean stain – Edge to Center 
• Do Not SOAK 
• Pat and Fan Dry 
• Brush Pile with a soft brush If food or liquids spill onto a carpet, blot up the spill as soon as possible. 
 
Use only warm water or club soda with light dish soap and a clean white towel to soak up the spill, pressing firmly down or stepping on the towel with your feet to soak up the stain. Do not soak the stain. Don't rub, as this will spread the stain. Work the stain from the outer edge to the center. Dry with a fan or hand blow dryer, preferably on a low heat setting. Finally, to restore the pile, brush it with a soft brush. 
 
On old and stubborn stains, repeat the process until the stain is completely removed. Cornstarch can be used to soak up liquid after cleaning. Sprinkle a thin (1/8") layer of cornstarch on rug and let it dry for 24 – 48 hours. Vacuum and whisk away excess. Spills such as mustard, blood and mud should be allowed to dry and then scraped off. Failure to dry the carpet properly can cause mold, mildew and dry rot with significant damage. 
 
Special Stains: 
 
Chewing Gum – Press ice cubes against spot until it becomes brittle and breaks off. Use spot remover to vanish last traces. Saturate the spot with a cloth soaked in vinegar or alcohol. 
 
Candle Wax – Place a brown paper bag over the spot. Place a hot iron over the paper bag. Move iron constantly. Wait a few minutes until the wax is absorbed. Repeat if necessary. 
 
Ink from ballpoint pen – Saturate the spot with hairspray. Allow to dry. Blot lightly with vinegar and water solution. 
 
Deep cleaning: 
Periodically, every 2 to 3 years, the hand-knotted rug should be cleaned by a professional in a full immersion wet bath and it will be refreshed and look like new. Hand-knotted rugs can be wet-cleaned in this fashion as opposed to hand-tufted rugs that can only be spot cleaned. 
 
Moths: 
Regular maintenance is the best way to keep your wool rugs from being damaged by moths. Periodic cleaning, moth proofing and rotating rugs are a good way to prevent moth larva from taking hold and damaging your fine rugs. When inspecting rugs for moth activity, remember that most moth damage is to the back of a rug where moths are least likely to be disturbed. So examine the back of the rug along its perimeter and look for moths, moth larvae or the casing or webbing they leave behind.
 
Fading in Sunlight: 
Colors fade unevenly and wool and cotton dry out and become brittle. A good rug can be faded in a month or less. When colors are softer or lighter on the pile side of the rug than they are on the back, it means that fading is occurring. You can eliminate or prevent the problem by keeping the curtains closed or by having your windows professionally coated with mylar (an invisible flm which can be applied to your windows and which flters out harmful ultraviolet light). 
 
Note: Never put a potted plant on a rug as the water can leak onto the rug and damage it. 
 
Disclaimer: 
For difficult or unlisted stains, please consult with a professional rug cleaner. Never use dry cleaning methods on a wool rug. Never "steam clean" a wool rug as this may cause dyes to bleed. The rugs should be wet-cleaned by a professional, thoroughly rinsed and allowed to dry completely before being placed on the foor again. Important: Vacuum your rug regularly. Sand and grit can work into the base of the pile and abrasion can damage the wool and result in loss of pile. Vacuum only with suction, never use a beater bar on a wool rug. 
 
DO NOT USE DYSON VACUUM CLEANERS OR ANY OTHER VACUUM THAT HAS POWERFUL SUCTION. THESE VACUUMS CAN DAMAGE THE RUG. 
 
These stain removal tips are to be used only as a guide for your personal use. ORC Rugs accepts no liability for damage from the use of these suggestions.