10 Must Have Spot Cleaning Tips

Life happens! Spots, spills and splatters.

Coffee, chocolate, red wine (it is never white wine), and of course, vomit. Your pet doesn’t throw up on the hardwood or tile floor, it is always the rug!

In any case of what spots your most beloved rug has, you want to remove the stain safely, without causing further damage to the rug.

Chances are if you’re reading this repair blog, it is for one of two reasons:

1. You’re preparing for the next time an accident occurs. Yay for you!
2. You are in full blown panic for a solution to clean the rug and, at the same time, not damage it further. It’s okay! You have Oriental Rug Cleaning Plant on your side.

Panicked or not, we have included the top 10 spots and stains that happen on wool and area rugs with our useful spot cleaning solutions below.

The Preliminaries

 Before we get to how to spot clean your rug, let’s go over a couple of important points on how to cleaning Oriental Wool Area Rugs.

First, avoid over the counter cleaners, such as OxyClean, as they sometimes have bleaching agents that will bleach your rug.

In some cases, the bleached stain may not appear until after the rug has been professionally cleaned years down the road. Some over the counter products are even known to have set the stain in permanently. Lesson learned: Use the ingredients below.

Second, always, always test an inconspicuous area prior to cleaning. Also, a good reminder when cleaning the spot with a towel is to dab or blot, never agitate the fibers as it will cause the ends to fuzz.

The Ingredients

 The following four solutions will be required, along with some white absorbent cloth or tissue.

Detergent Solution

 Oriental Rug Cleaning Plant spot remover or substitute one teaspoon of liquid dishwashing detergent to ½ pint of warm water.

Detergent/Vinegar Solution

 Add one teaspoon of White Vinegar to the detergent solution.

Ammonia Solution

 One tablespoon of household ammonia to one cup of warm water. Refrain from a stronger ammonia solution on wool carpet.

Dry Cleaning Solvent

 Test the solution on a small, inconspicuous area, then address the stain by working from the outer edge towards the center. Take caution not to saturate the area as it can wear away the back of the rug.

The Nitty-Gritty

 Let’s get in to some of the most common stains that harm your rug.

Alcohol/Wine

 Blot up the surplus spillage. Use the detergent/vinegar solution. Start from the edge of the spot, only using bit of the solution at a time. Blot frequently with dry cloths.

Chocolate

 Scrape up the excess with a blunt knife. Use the detergent solution, and starting at the outer edge. Blot dry.

Coffee/Tea

 Blot up the surplus spillage. Use the detergent solution and follow it up with vinegar. Start from the edge of the spot, only using a bit of the solution at a time. Blot frequently with dry cloths.

Grease

 Scrape up with a blunt knife. Use the dry-cleaning solvent followed by the detergent/vinegar solution. Blot dry.

Nail Polish

 Scrape up using a blunt knife. Use the dry-cleaning solvent followed by the detergent/vinegar solution. Blot dry.

Urine

Blot up the spillage. Use the detergent/vinegar solution. Start from the edge of the spot, only using a bit of the solution at a time. Blot frequently with dry cloths.

Wax

Scrape up with a blunt knife. Use the dry-cleaning solvent followed by the detergent/vinegar solution. Blot dry.

Oil/Tar

 Scrape up with blunt knife. Use the dry-cleaning solvent followed by the detergent/vinegar solution. Blot dry.

Vomit

Scrape up with a blunt knife. Use the dry-cleaning solvent followed by the detergent/vinegar solution. Blot dry.

Rug Cleaning and Repair Wrap Up

There are about a billion things that can be spilled on your area rug, so when all else fails start with water. If that doesn’t work, call your amazing local rug cleaning professional, Oriental Rug Cleaning Plant. 407-930-4854 or 813-344-5112. Have a question, comment or tip? Send it our way, we would love to hear from you.

Did your rug get sopping wet from a leak, broken pipe or as a result from firefighting, you must act quickly to prevent unwanted damage to the oriental rug.

1. Removing the area rug completely from the surface its currently on is the best idea to let the floor beneath the rug to dry. Do not allow the area rug to stay in water for prolonged period of time because it can cause damage to the rug face fibers and the flooring underneath.
2. It is best to start with squeegeeing the rug, pushing in the direction of the pile. No squeegee? You can use a heavy duty broom to get as much water out of the rug as you possibly can.
3. At this point, the rug is still damp, but no longer sopping wet. Using a shop vac to pull out as much water as you can is the next best option. Finish drying it any way you can. The sun is a great source of fast drying. A fan aimed at the rug will help.
4. After you have squeegeed and used a shop vac, you may now roll the rug up and stand it on its end.
5. The best best is to contact a professional rug cleaning company, they have tools such as centrifuge that can spin out 90%+ of the water, clean and dry properly.

If you are in or around the Orlando Fl area, give us a call and we can help. 407-930-4854

Why Do You Need a Rug Repair Specialist?

Oriental rugs are collectibles and loved for many reasons. They are an art form, and the rarer the rug the more worth it is. Some may be antiques, other rugs can be one of a kind. To keep their beauty and value, there are recommendations to keep them looking their best. Sometimes things happen and the rug requires repair. To retain the rugs value and appearance, finding an experienced specialist in rug repair and rug restoration in the Central Florida area is essential.

Fringe is Worn

A component of hand-woven rugs is their value found in the knots used in the making of the rug. Often, on the ends of the rug, the knots become loose and fall off. This causes an unraveling of the rug that left unresolved, could cause the loss of inches of the foundation as well. An untrained person may try to repair the rug edge and try to reconnect the fringe to the foundation either by sewing machine or hand stitching. That can often do more, bad than good. This process could actually loosen other knots and then soon, inches of your cherished rug could be lost. Contact a professional rug repair expert instead of doing it yourself.

Oxidizing Cleaners and Bleach

Using a bleach or oxidizer, like hydrogen peroxide, causes deterioration of the cotton fibers. Never use these or any other type of chemicals to brighten up the fringe or any part of your rug. If you have a spill on your rug, blot, do not rub. If the spill doesn’t come out, consult a rug cleaning expert. Having the rug cleaned every 1-4 years keeps it looking beautiful.

Beetles and Moths

Beetles and Moths can eat away a rug within one year. The fiber is not what they usually go for, but it is the contaminants – spills or pet urine – that soak into the wool or cotton. Most often the bugs hide on the underside of the rug, especially in parts covered by large furniture. Signs that you have bugs are white bare areas where the foundation shows through. There may be a sticky type lint and webbing. Consult a professional rug repair specialist if you find a bug infestation.

Pet Accidents

Pet Urine not only attracts moths to your rug, it can cause severe fiber and dye damage. Clean any accidents right away to discourage moths from feeding on your rug. If you find dye or fiber damage, consult a rug restoration specialist who maybe can repair the damage.

Experienced and Professional Rug Specialists

 Look for businesses who are members of the Association of Rug Specialists, with an established history of cleaning and repairing like at Oriental Rug Cleaning Plant. Knowledgeable repair experts understand the importance of specialized care for your rugs.

Are Rugs Fairly Priced or are they really expensive?

One of the most common questions we get asked is why are rugs so expensive?

Are they really expensive though? Asking that question reduces the historically significant works of art to their basic function. You can’t ignore the value of the masterpiece entirely.

Handmade rugs, especially antique ones, are much more than just another piece of furniture in your home. They are made with many hours of hard work, artistry and thousands of years of tradition.

Take a look at some of the factors that go into the price of rugs and see why they are expensive.

What is the value of a rug?

 The first thing that needs to be said about why rugs are expensive is that hand knotted and woven rugs are very different from machine made rugs. The rug weaver uses time honored designs and techniques to make each rug a unique work of art. Human hands tied each knot, and also dyed and spun the wool, silk or cotton that went into making the rug. Each piece is a decision made by the weaver. This makes it an extension of the personality of the designer, not just another piece of fabric.

There are several factors that determine the value of the rug. One of the most common is the density, the number of knots per square inch. While the knot count is important, it is not for the reason most people think it is. The higher the knot count, the longer it took to make the rug.

The count is important for another reason, it allows the designer to make the rug with a higher level of detail than a rug with a lower knot count. A comparison would be a high definition graphic with a high number of pixels per inch compared to a lower pixel count. A high knot count allows the rug weaver a higher range of expression such as shading and detail. It allows them to make designs that are not possible with a low knot count.

Besides the knot count, the pattern of the rug, the design and colors used go into the value. Also, if the rug designer is well known the value is more. Also, there is the antique value of the rug. If it is an older antique rug it tends to be more valuable. A fine rug can last hundreds of years, but the wool, silk, dyes and materials are organic and will break down. As times goes on many of these beautiful antique rugs will disappear.

The most expensive rug ever sold at an auction, was in June of 2013 at Sotheby’s Auction House. It was a 17^th century rug with a sickle leaf design that brought in $33.7 million. The factors in this rug were the age and condition of the rug for its age, the design, the historical significance and the artistic appeal. This was a rare piece that is considered a world treasure and as valuable as any artifact that is still around from the 1600’s, the Golden Age of the Safavid Empire. It is hard to put a price on an antique such as this one.

We hope this blog helps you understand how area rugs and oriental rugs are priced the way they are. Give us a call anytime for any questions. 407-930-4854 or search area rug cleaners near me in Google and we will pop right up.

A new risk for rugs in the summer is sun bleaching. Your rugs can be exposed by the sun this time of year and cause fading and bleaching. Summertime we get to go outside and enjoy the weather but it also causes to destroy the longevity and beauty of furnishings.

Use these rug care tips to help prevent sun bleaching and fading in the summer.

What is Sun Fading?

Fabric and fibers naturally fade but some more than others. Factors that contribute to fading are:

• Fabric type
• Fabric color
• Dye type
• Dye method
• Light exposure
• Location in your home

Wear and tear will also cause fading with time. Lighter color rugs fade less due to the sun having a lower impact of exposure.

 Do Not Place Rugs in Direct Sunlight

Consider the location of your room when deciding where to place your rug. Watch the sun for a few days to see where it comes in through your window before placing the rug.

The most intense sun of the day will do the most damage to your rug and the furniture in your home.

Place your rugs where they are less likely to be ruined by sun fade. Some rooms are limited to size or how your furniture can be arranged. If your furniture can’t be rearranged, follow the tips below to help protect your rugs from sun fading.

Hang Curtains in the Room

Curtains or blinds can help reduce sun fading in your home. It improves your homes energy efficiency as well as protects your furniture, carpet and rugs.

Thick curtains or black out shades will do better to protect your homes interior.

You can let the sun in when you want to, but make sure to close curtains and blinds when you leave or during the most exposure of the day. That will give you some exposure to the sun without worrying about damaging your rug.

Put a Coating on Your Windows

Many newer homes come with windows that have a UV protectant coating to protect your house from sun fading. If you are not ready to replace your windows, add a tint or coating to them.

The cost per square foot for the window treatments can be from $6 to $14. Remember you are increasing your homes energy efficiency as well as protecting your furniture and rugs so that you don’t have to replace them as often.

Make sure your windows don’t have other issues before placing the tint. If there is air leaking from the frame, tint will not fix that. You don’t want to incur the cost of treatments to find out you need to replace your windows.

Light-Colored Rugs Should be Placed Near Windows

 If you have a room with lots of sun exposure place lighter-colored rugs near the windows. They are not as vibrant and the effects will not be as noticeable. Even a simple pattern rug is good to place near a window even though the details may fade. You can have bright rugs in your home but place them carefully to avoid damage. This will extend the life of your rug.

Oriental of heirloom rugs are difficult if not impossible to replace so they need special protection. Don’t place them in the sun and don’t keep them in storage where you can’t enjoy them either. The more time they spend in the sun, the faster you will have to replace them.

Ask Your Rug Cleaning Company About Rug Protectors

Fluorocarbon rug protectors adds a protective layer to your rug.  These treatments are not right for every type of rug, however ask your rug cleaning company about whether it is right for your rug or not. There are great benefits to using the protectant like stain and soil resistance. It helps extend the life of your rug even more. Ask your rug cleaning company for protectant that is safe for your home, especially with kids and animals.

Does Sunlight Fade Wool Rugs?

All types of rugs fade in sunlight. Wool and cotton will fade and become brittle due to repeated sunlight exposure. Whatever fabric your rug is made of, it will fade with sunlight. Try to keep your rugs from heavy or repeated sun exposure to ensure it stays vibrant. 

Is Sun Fading on Rugs Reversible?

 You do have options once a rug has been faded in the sun. The tips may be all that is faded and the fibers below still have color. Professionals might be able to cut the pile gently to get to the color below on your rug. Once you have had this done, you need to remember to try to keep the rug away from the sun. This technique can only be done so many times before there is no rug left to clip. Use these tips above to keep your rugs vibrant and lasting a long time.

Professional Rug Tips

 For any questions or tips, you can contact the team at Oriental Rug Cleaning Plant. We provide professional rug cleaning, with pick up and delivery in Orlando, the West coast and the East coast in Florida. We can give you tips and answers to all your rug questions.

Our blogs give you information and tips on keeping your rug clean and beautiful for a long time to come.

To schedule rug cleaning services with us contact us at 407-930-4854.

Importance of Rug Cleaning.

Over time your rug can be damaged by foot traffic, dust, loose dirt, liquid spills, animals, children and other miscellaneous debris.  Even direct sunlight can visually damage your rug.

We know your area rugs mean a lot to you and they are just as important to us.

Rugs that are not properly maintained can post great health risks, especially to children and seniors. They act like a filter in your home collecting germs, dirt, pet dander, rotting food particles, dust, allergens and even tiny bugs.

What Can Be Done?

Weekly vacuuming your rugs is a good start. This will help keep out the dirt and soil that can accumulate. Will also help with the indoor air environment.

Keep Off!

The best way to keep your oriental rugs clean is to have a “shoes off” policy in at your home. Shoes track in dirt, allergens, waste and many other germs, this is the most recommend step in our opinion.

Let the Professionals at the Oriental Rug Cleaning Plant Help!

Regular professional cleaning is the best way to maintain the beauty with your rugs. Having your area rugs professionally cleaned will make your rugs better by keeping them healthier and last longer. Call us today to learn more 407-930-4854!

We provide many services for your area rugs. 

Binding – A repair technique that requires stitching a side of a rug that maybe damaged or frayed.

Fringe Repair – Replacing damaged or discolored fringe.

Pet Odor Removal Submersion Treatment – Our 100% guaranteed odor removal processes is like no other. We can guarantee the removal of any pet urine in your rug.

Rug Padding – We offer special cut to fit padding that helps keep your rug in place and protect the floor beneath your rug. Rug pads also help with color transfer, as dyes from your area rug can permanently stain the hard surface or carpeting underneath. Our rug pads are two sided, this is so it can be used on hard surfaces as well as carpet.The surface is specially treated to provide extra grip and prevent fuzzing and fraying.

Pet Stains – Pet Urine stains are amongst the most difficult stains to remove . While the odor itself is easily destroyed with the proper cleaning process, there are many variables when it comes to the removal of the stain. From the changing PH levels as the urine dries, to the fiber type and construction of the rug, these factors play a huge part in the removal of the urine stain. Many times, the stain can cause permanent damage.

Area Rug Protecter– Having a fiber protector applied to your rug gives you and extra window of time to treat a spill. It can also allow for more soil to release when you vacuum when compared to non-protected rugs. Professional application of protector to new or freshly cleaned rug will ensure the ideal result.

Have questions, please give us a call anytime or check our the rest of our website for more details.

We found some great information about Rug Pooling from Lynn Tall owner at Rug Advocate and Scott Gwilliam, owner of Rug Worx

Have you ever seen an area rug that has a “wet” or patchy, dirty looking area? Almost as if someone has spilled water on it? This phenomenon is known as area rug pooling or pile distortion. Its origin is unknown but can be a real eyesore, especially if you are not accustom to what rug pooling is and what can be done.  Its occurrence can happen in any rug or home wall to wall carpeting. If you take a look at the picture in this post you can see that the red Chinese runner has a wet or dirty look to it. Depending on what angle you look at the rug, the wet look may appear to be different. It can also look different if its located in different rooms of the home, this is because the lighting change will also make the rug look different.  If you were to get on your hands and knees and rub your hand through the two distinguished areas you would notice that the fibers feel differently. There is times that simply brushing the rug all in the same direction will fix this type of situation, but it actual Rug Pooling situations the fibers are permanently distorted in unwanted directions.

So What Do We Know About Permanent Pile Reversal Also Known As Area Rug Pooling?

To be frank, unfortunately not all the much. Despite years of research to understand what is the actual cause, there has not been much progress in understanding the variables involved when it comes to rug pooling also known as pile distortion.

The following are possible causes of rug pooling/pile distortion. 

-Originally noticed in wall to wall carpeting, it can also occur in any cut pile area rug, including hand knotted, tufted, woven, bonded, knitted or hand-mad area rug.

-No wear or traffic patterns are necessary for pooling to appear. Even new area rugs and wall-to-wall carpeting are subject to these permanent pile distortion patches. Longer, loose-woven fibers of plush-piled rugs and carpet, and lower performing fibers like faux silk, and or Viscose seem to be especially prone to pooling.

-It can occur in area rugs made from all carpet fibers and blends of different fibers, for example nylon, wool, acrylic, polypropylene and other blends.

-There is nothing that can be done to permanently reverse or repair the appearance of a rug or carpet with pooling. While rug and carpet cleaners may be able to do a wet washing and groom out the affected areas, this may not improve the area at all and usually has very limited results.

-Specific cleaning methods are not the culprit.

-Floor temperature, humidity, air currents, static electricity and earth ray have all been investigated as possible causes

If you think Rug Pooling or Pile Distortion is the cause of the unwanted look on your area rug give the Oriental Rug Cleaning Plant a call and we can evaluate your rugs unique circumstance.

There are many different styles when it comes to area rugs. The good thing is we provide area rug cleaning for all types of rugs.  Some of the most common are shag, needlepoint, hand-knotted, tufted rugs and machine made. The majority of these rugs are very similar, with the exception of tufted rugs. The biggest difference between these various rug styles is the backing of the area rug cleaners near you. The backing, which is similar to mousseline fabric, is covered tightly over a frame, where the rug design is drawn onto it. Dyed fibers are then jabbed into their place through the material using a tufting gun, which creates the surface pile. Then, a layer of latex adhesive is applied to the back of the rug to hold the tufts in place, as there are no knots to do so. A secondary backing is then glued to the back of the tufted Orlando rug cleaning, along with finishing hems.

In a hand-woven rug, colored yarns are wrapped by hand onto individual warp yarns. They are secured by one or more rows of weft. The large pile yarns, which create the design, are sheared to uniform length. Oriental and Persian rugs are hand-knotted. All hand-knotted carpets may be generically referred to as “oriental” rugs, regardless of design, because the technique of hand-knotted originated in Asia.  Call Oriental Rug cleaning Orlando FL today for more details about your area rug cleaning process.

Tufted rugs are relatively new to the rug industry and the most common of the rugs. They can easily be mass produced, making them a more affordable option.  Though these rugs are made of natural fibers, they are not as forgiving as your standard hand-knotted rug. When the rug is finished the back is given a coat of latex to secure the yarns, then covered with cloth or canvas.

Cleaning a tufted rug presents much more of a challenge, as the foundation is mostly fabric and glue.

Tufted rugs often tend to emit a pungent, gas smelling odor. This odor is typically produced by off-gassing of the latex adhesive within the rug. Those with sensitivities to chemical like odors, might be adversely affected by this odor. Unfortunately, as effective as a proper rug washing service is, this odor may still be there.

Over extended time and use of the rug , the latex adhesive will begin to break down and decay, causing a light-colored silt or powder that resembles sand, to fall from the back of the rug. This silt or powder is typically noticeable when the tufted  area rug cleaning near me is moved.

As the latex adhesive continues to break down, the secondary backing of the tufted rug may begin to come loose from the rest of the rug, beginning around the edges. It is at this time where you must decide between replacing the backing, or replacing the rug itself. The process of replacing the backing of the rug can be quite costly, which plays heavily into the decision.

Hand-tufted rugs can be placed on hardwood floors or any type of floor you desire. Always think about if your rug will be placed in a high-traffic area. A busy hallway entryway can shorten the lifespan of your rug.  When decorating, hand-tufted rugs can be placed under sofas, chairs, or even dining room tables.

Large tufted rugs may look good in lofts or other industrial-looking spaces. You can also add a small, “fluffy” tufted rug to the vanity or dressing area in a bathroom. Visit our rug cleaning website for more details.

There are no rules for where to place a tufted rug, but you want to keep in mind that the more footsteps, sunlight and spills the rug endures the sooner, you’ll need a new one or need to get it cleaned.

Vacuum your hand-tufted rugs at least once a week to get rid of all dust, dirt and dander. If you want to eliminate excess fibers from the rug, vacuum it daily or until the extra fibers are gone. Rotate the rug every so often to regulate the amount of sunlight and foot traffic it receives.

Don’t shake or beat a hand-tufted rug as it will damage the fibers. If the rug becomes stained, scrape the stain as soon as you discover it, and vacuum the remains.

Use a lukewarm water and a cloth to remove dirty and or stains. Get the rag wet and dab the stain and soak up the water and repeat until you’ve removed the stain or wet spot. Avoid using too much water, as it can loosen the glue that secures the yarn, and don’t rub the stain you want to gently pat.

You may see some shedding with the tufted rug,  the backing or glue and the piles deteriorate over time. Use a rug pad and or lightly vacuum the rug to prevent the rug from shedding, or move it to a low-traffic area.

We hope this information has given you a better understanding of tufted area rugs. Yes they can be difficult and challenging at time, but with the proper techniques, these rugs can be cleaned properly and last a lifetime. Here at the Oriental Rug Cleaning Plant, no rug is to tuff ted for us, lol horrible joke. Call us today!

As professional rug washers, we know a thing or two about area rugs. Believe it or not, there are many, many things involved in area rugs whether it be how they are made, what materials are used in crafting area rugs, how to care for them and so on. For professionals in the industry, these are all things we are comfortable and familiar with. Luckily, we are here to help! Our friendly and helpful team members are ready and eager to answer any questions you may have about your rug. We actually encourage questions! It is our belief that when a customer is well informed about their rug and the service they are receiving, then we are doing what we can to help that customer appreciate the fine area rug they own to the fullest!

We encourage questions because we know all to well how confusing or frustrating it can be when you own a rug, need service and do not know much about it. One particular type of are rug can cause more frustration for owners that some others is silk or faux silk. Whether the fibers in this type of rug are actual natural silk fibers, or a synthetic look a like, they are sensitive and delicate and require proper care. That’s were we come in! We can help to identify the exact type of rug you have, how it was made and determine whether the fibers are actually natural or synthetic. These determinations will help to ensure the best service possible is provided!

There are a large variety of terms used to describe silk fiber used in most textiles available to consumers in the market. Terms like Coconut Silk, Art Silk, Hemp Silk, Banana Silk, Faux Soie, Rayon, Flax Silk, Raw Silk, Mercerized Cotton and Silk are all terms used in this manner. However, most consumers need to be on their guard, as most rugs that are actually labeled as silk rugs may in fact not actually be. A silk rug would be make of natural silk fibers spun directly from silk worms. These impostor rugs used a much more inexpensive mix of cellulosic synthetic fiber materials that closely resemble silk. This is a deliberate attempt to confuse and fool a rug purchaser into thinking they are actually purchasing a natural fiber silk rug. Unfortunately, these rugs have a very short life span. The fibers are cellulosic in nature and then treated with chemicals to resemble the look and feel of natural silk fibers. These fakes do not hold up well to normal, standard every day foot traffic and standard usage, which leads to a short life of the rug.

Regardless as to if the rug is a synthetic knock off, or the actual real thing with natural silk fibers, cleaners will need to use extreme caution and be very delicate when treating and washing them. Possible dye migration or color bleeding, surface texture changes and even damage to the foundation of the rug could all happen when enough care is not taken while cleaning a rug of these types. These fibers are so delicate, that throughout the washing and more importantly the drying process, they need to be constantly groomed to help avoid pile distortion and keep the pile looking and feeling good.

One super unfortunate issue with these rugs, whether natural or synthetic, is the propensity to stain permanently. If you have an accident in home and a stain forms, it is all but certain to remain a part of the rug no matter what treatment is performed. the delicate fibers will absorb any damaging agents rather quickly and being that they are so delicate, any heavy cleaning has a good chance of actually causing more fiber damage. In the circumstance of treating a stain, this should be taken into account and an expectance of any type of improvement should be acceptable.

Always remember to never use over the counter products that couple be purchased in a store when attempting to treat a spot or stain on your silk or faux silk area rug. These products will usually contain harsh damaging chemicals that can have a massively damaging impact on your rug. These delicate fibers could end up much worse if improperly treated.

Our staff at The Oriental Rug Cleaning Plant is always here, eager and ready to help in any way possible. Never hesitate to reach out and we would be happy to help!