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Area rugs are a fantastic way to make your Sussex house feel like a home. A Persian rug can really complete a room, and better yet, floor rugs actually improve the air quality in your home! Rugs trap and filtering out dirt and allergens, keeping your family healthier. To make sure that your area rugs are looking and functioning the best that they can, they should be deep cleaned 1-2 times a year, or when they start looking visibly dingy.

There are several options for cleaning your floor rugs that will keep your home healthy and beautiful. Before you decide between doing it yourself or calling a carpet cleaning service, double check the specific cleaning instructions for your rug. High quality oriental and rugs can be expensive, so protect your investment by caring for them in the way that was intended.

Additionally, antique or oriental rugs require special care. If you own one of these, it is necessary to call a professional carpet or rug cleaning service. Don’t risk ruining your valuables by attempting to clean them without the experience of a professional.

Do-it-yourself:

A few simple steps can make cleaning your area rug very doable if you choose a DIY option. First, always start by shaking away excess dirt and grime from your rug. Then, use a vacuum to further remove dust. Be sure to use gentle settings and avoid tearing/separating the rug from its rubber backing.

Next, select a cleaning product. Remember that it is worth your time to do a little bit of research here, because you want to find the most safe and effective cleaner for your rug. For example, a gentle laundry detergent can work well on wool or cotton rugs, and dish detergent can be used on synthetic fibers. Additionally, specialty carpet shampoos are made for specific types of rugs, so take the time to find the right shampoo for your area rug.

While doing-it-yourself is cost-effective and practical, nothing could be more disappointing than accidentally ruining your area rug. For that reason, this step is absolutely critical: make sure to test your cleaner on a small, inconspicuous part of the rug. Once you are confident that the cleaner will not make the colors bleed, you can move on to washing the rug.

We recommend using a garden hose to wash your rug, because the process will require plenty of water (note: do not fully saturate a wool rug). Additionally, protect the fibers in your rug by using cold water, as hot water will likely make the colors bleed. Once the area rug is completely wet, use a gentle brush or sponge to work the cleaning solution into a lather and apply it to the rug. Be cautious and attentive while scrubbing; do not use excessive pressure, and stop immediately if you suspect that the rug is being damaged. Patting or blotting motions are typically safer than rubbing. Once clean, use the hose to thoroughly rinse your rug-- continue rinsing until all traces of soap/bubbles are completely gone.

The final (and potentially most important) step is to allow your rug to dry completely before returning it to your home. Drying might take several days, but a damp rug is a perfect breeding ground for harmful bacteria, so protecting your family from harmful bacteria is worth the wait. You can minimize that growth by setting your rug out to dry in a well-lit, open area with good airflow. You can also help your rug dry faster by ringing it out or using a squeegee to remove excess water immediately after rinsing away the soap.  

Clean Area Rug in Sussex

Professional Area Rug Cleaning:

Some professional rug cleaning services use steam-cleaning or other shampooing techniques to care for your rugs and carpets. These techniques can increase the risk of bacteria growth because they use a lot of water. Whether wash a rug on your own or call in a professional carpet cleaning service, you want your rugs to dry as quickly as possible. Hot Carbonating Extraction is a method which lifts dirt and grime out of the fibers of rugs and carpeting using a carbonated cleaning solution. This method utilizes less water and allows carpets and rugs to dry faster. Sussex Chem-Dry uses a tested Hot Carbonating Extraction method to clean carpets and rugs in a way that improves the health and safety of your home. Call us today at 302-439-0997 for a free quote.


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