Tuesday, January 2, 2007

How To Clean Area Rugs

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There are four basic things to remember in cleaning area rugs:

1. Vacuum regularly.

Regular vacuuming prevents dirt build-up and helps the rug remain attractive. Never pull long ends which may work their way to the surface after vacuuming.

2. Clean spills immediately by blotting them with white paper or cloth towel.

For cleaning spills and spots on your area rug, apply controlled amounts of water and blot with clean sponge or white cloth. Solvent-type cleaners may be used for stubborn oil and grime. Make sure that the spot is blotted dry.

3. Periodic cleaning using the hot water extraction carpet cleaner method is recommended. You can hire professional cleaners for this or you can do it yourself.

Periodic professional cleaning will optimize the use and life of the rug. However, to save money, many people interchange between do-it-yourself cleaning and professional cleaning. If you have to clean your area rugs yourself, beware of the three most common ways to damage carpets: Over-shampooing, failing to protect the wet carpet from furniture and overwetting.

Cleaners with the recommended cleaning solution strength must only be used. Stronger solutions accelerate resoiling. Detergent must be rinsed off from the carpet to prevent this also.

Remove furniture from the room before cleaning. If this is impractical, plastic film must be placed under the furniture to prevent the development of rust or furniture stains on the are rug.

Do not overwet the carpet when cleaning area rugs. When overwet, the backing and seams might disintegrate. There will be shrinkage, discoloration, and odor. Allot 12 hours for drying the are rug. There must be proper ventilation for this. You can use fans to quickly dry the carpet and eliminate any existing solution-related fragrances. Dry your area rug completely before walking on it.

Before undergoing the cleaning process, make sure that the area rug is pre-vacuumed and pre-spot cleaned.

4. Prevent excessive wear and tear to decrease the necessity of cleaning area rugs.

Rug pads or underlayment is a must to protect the rug from wear and normal abuse. This also prevents slippage on hard surface and prevents the rug from "traveling" on carpet. Rotating the rug will prevent uneven wear caused by foot traffic and furniture weight. Most area rug makers suggest a 180 degree rotation every few months.

Tips for hiring professional cleaning services

Before your area rug even accumulates soil, scout around for good professional caring services. Get recommendations from satisfied rug-owners, carpet retailers and local business groups.

So as to determine the type of cleaning service, have a person from the cleaning agency to visit you at home and make a visual inspection. There are usually no extra charges for moving furniture and routine check-ups.

Ask for a written agreement for all work to be performed. What you pay for will be based on the total number of square feet to be cleaned. However, there are some who quote prices that are too good to be true. The actual amount to be paid is usually the one that is in authorized writing. If low prices are quoted over the phone, chances are they may have hidden restrictions or mandatory add-ons. A reliable firm will tell you the cleaning steps for your rug and provide a written agreement before the cleaning starts.



AUTHOR :

Michael Louis is a home owner with a passion for knowledge who enjoys sharing his rug care cleaning secrets. Did you find these tips useful? You can learn more rug care tips at rug-care.com

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