If you own an oriental rug, you most likely enjoy the vibrant coloring and exquisite look it gives to your home. Caring for an oriental rug needs to be done with care, as it is comprised of delicate fibers and ink known to bleed if it gets wet. Here are some instructions you can follow when doing routine cleanings of your rug so it stays in the best possible condition for years to come.

Vacuum Your Rug to Remove Surface Dirt

Your oriental rug will look its best when you vacuum it regularly. This will keep the material from becoming grungy in appearance from dust or dirt that settles onto the material. When vacuuming, use a soft-bristled attachment rather than rolling the entire machine over the rug. This will keep the rug from becoming caught in the roller. Hold the attachment a few inches above the rug so it does not scratch the fibers, altering their appearance as a result.

Place the Rug in an Appropriate Location

When selecting an area of your home to display your rug, look for a spot without a large amount of foot-traffic. Placing it in a lesser utilized area will help keep it from premature wear. Some people like displaying their rug as a wall hanging so it can be enjoyed without risk of spills or tracked on mud. Wherever you decide to place your rug, make sure to flip it over every few weeks, if possible. This will help keep it from wearing on one side faster than the other. Also, try to keep the rug out of direct sunlight to reduce the amount of fading it will sustain.

Tend to Stains Right Away to Keep Them From Settling

If something happens to spill on your oriental rug, blot the spot with a clean piece of cloth, such as a towel, immediately. Push the material down on the outer edges of the spill and work your way toward the middle portion of the moist area. If your cloth becomes dirty, swap it with another clean piece so you do not transfer the matter back into the material of the rug. Do not rub an oriental rug, as the liquid will be pressed into the rug even further, possibly staining it for good. It is best to entrust your rug to a professional carpet cleaning service, such as Spotless Carpet Cleaners & Janitorial Services Inc., to remove stains. Since the ink in an oriental rug will run easily, it may smear across the rug as you try to remove the stain by rubbing.

Freshen With a Light Mist of Vinegar

Make a mixture of half white vinegar and half water when you wish to give your rug some freshening. Place this in a spray bottle and set the spray intensity to a fine mist. Hold the spray bottle several feet away from the oriental rug when you add the cleaner to the fibers. This fine mist will not alter the appearance of the ink if it is used sparingly. To freshen the fringe on the ends of the rug, spray with the solution and use a wide-toothed comb to untangle the strands and help distribute the cleaner evenly.