Is It Ok To Vacuum Persian Rugs?
Yes, it’s okay to vacuum Persian rugs but only with a very light vacuum. In fact, regular vacuuming is recommended to preventing damage due to grit and debris buildup.
Always vacuum side by side along the width, never along the length.
With a little care, your Persian rug is sure to become a good-looking treasured family heirloom passed down for several generations through the years.
And while people tend to beat their rug to cleanliness, we at Rugknots advise you to gently wipe the dirt off. This prevents wear and tear and hence increases the lifespan of your rug. Just get a broom with straw bristles and sweep it from one end to another. Don’t move your broom back and forth or you may end up damaging the rug. The very purpose of sweeping is to intermittently clean the dust away and to give the fibers a refreshed feel. Isn’t this as easy as it gets?
And you thought sweeping was the easiest way to have your Persian rugs clean. Just take your Persian area rug out and shake the dirt out.
Your Persian rugs need professional cleaning by a professional rug cleaner at least once a year, but you can always go the DIY way. You need to consider a couple of things here. Is your rug color-fest (does it bleed color when submerged in water)? You can run tests on each color you can lift the rug to read instructions on the label.
So, how to perform handmade rug cleaning DIY? Once you are sure of the safety of the rug, vacuum/swipe/shake the rug to remove dirt. Now spray both sides of the rug with cold water. Garden Hose would be suitable equipment for the task. When done, fill a bucket with cold water and mild liquid soap (rug shampoo would work too). Now rinse the rug lightly with the cleaning solution using a long-haired soft brush or a non-shedding sponge. It’s best to lather your rug in the direction of the nap (in the direction of fibers). Spray water to remove both dirt and detergent. Leave the rug to dry, preventing mildew. A squeegee or a fan can speed things up!
Rugs are usually placed on the floor. However, if you wish to save your rug from unnecessary wear and tear, it is advised that you place a rug pad underneath it. This will prevent scuff marks and keep the rug in good condition for years to come. A rug pad will also keep your rug in place. It also prevents your rug from slipping and sliding on the floor.
It is best to tend to spills as soon as the mishap occurs. This prevents the stain from getting deeper, in which case they would be difficult to remove. You have less than 15 minutes to man up, so here’s what you should do. As soon as the spill occurs, blot up as much liquid as you can.
Use tissues, paper towels, squeegee (preferably), or anything you can get your hands at. Once you are done, use a damp rag to blot the stain again with warm water. Be careful; don’t rub back and forth for you may end up deepening the stain. While cold water works just fine in most cases, you want to use white vinegar plus clean water pet, grease, or coffee stains. Mix quarter cup vinegar and ½ teaspoons of mild detergent with excess water and clean harder stains
In case a portion of your rug receives uneven footfalls, rotate your rug to even out traits. Professionals recommend you rotate your piece once every 6 months, yet there is no harm in doing it every 2 months. If you have heavy furniture over the rug, you can also rotate the furniture. All that is needed is the balancing of traffic traits.
Baking soda is a great way to remove stubborn stains from the rug. All you have to do is pour baking soda over it and then use your vacuum cleaner on top of it. It is important to note that you need to sprinkle baking soda over the rug and not rub it in.