How Often Should Oriental Rugs Be Cleaned?

If you’ve recently purchased an Oriental rug, you undoubtedly want to take care of it properly. After all, these beautiful rugs represent an investment.

Regular professional cleaning is a must for anyone who wants their rug to look good and last as long as possible.

Here, we answer the common question “how often should Oriental rugs be cleaned?”

What Defines an Oriental Rug?

Oriental rugs, as their name suggests, originated in the East. Rugs made in India, Egypt, Iran, China, Pakistan, or Afghanistan can be considered Oriental.

What unites these rugs is the hand-knotting technique used to manufacture them. Unlike machine-made rugs, every knot in an Oriental rug has been tied by hand, according to ancient artisan tradition.

Oriental rugs often share certain visual similarities. They tend to feature ornate designs with floral motifs. They usually have a fringe border due to the way they were made. Because they use natural materials and natural dyes, earthy color palettes are common.

Purchasing an Oriental rug should be considered an investment. They’re more expensive than other kinds due to the labor that goes into their creation; however, they’re also likely to last a long time, and in fact, they could be passed down as an heirloom between generations.

How to Maintain Oriental Rugs

If you want to prolong the lifespan of your Oriental rug, then maintenance is crucial. Neglecting your rug could cause it serious damage, as could using the wrong cleaning techniques.

At home, your main responsibility is to vacuum your Oriental rug regularly. You should do this at least once a week using the upholstery attachment of your vacuum cleaner. Don’t vacuum the delicate fringe border, though. Instead, use a soft brush to remove any dust and dander.

When spills occur, act quickly and remove them using a blend of warm water, gentle dish soap, and white vinegar. Leaving a spill for too long can result in a permanent stain.

Why Do Oriental Rugs Need Professional Cleaning?

Vacuuming once a week isn’t enough to thoroughly clean your Oriental rug, though. This only removes dirt from the surface level. Over time, soil accumulates at the base, and professional cleaning is required to extract it.

Professional cleaners have the tools and techniques to do this safely, without damaging your rug or leaving moisture behind to turn into mold.

If this dirt isn’t removed, it becomes abrasive, cutting the delicate fibers of your rug like glass every time it is stepped on. This is why professional cleaning should be considered a must, not a maybe.

Is My Oriental Rug Overdue a Professional Clean?

Visible dirt is a sign that your rug is way overdue for a professional clean.

If you’ve had your rug for a year and you haven’t cleaned it, now is the time to take it to the professionals. An annual clean (alongside your own weekly maintenance) will prolong your rug’s lifespan and keep it looking great!

Ready to buy an Oriental rug? Remember that Rug Source has an extensive collection of high-quality pieces in stock.

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