Carpet Cleaning and Rug Cleaning: A Guide

Carpet cleaning and rug cleaning is often a delicate task. You have to consider various factors if you don’t want to ruin your carpets and rugs. Read on to find out what careful measures you should take while carpet and rug cleaning know what care you have to have to clean rugs and carpets. After reading this article by Green State Carpet Cleaning NYC, you will not have to run out and buy products to clean carpets and rugs whenever you have to treat a stain. To remove stains easily from carpets and rugs, you can prepare a homemade solution with a cup of warm water, a little vinegar and detergent. We recommend that you should always test the product first in an inconspicuous area of the carpet or rug that you are about to clean.

Whether bathroom rugs or bedroom carpets, a common mistake in carpet cleaning is that we think all of them can be cleaned in the same manner using the same products. That is, vacuuming and then removing the stains and accumulated dirt with a carpet cleaner. But rugs are usually much more delicate because they are not specifically designed to withstand heavy use, so they are damaged much more easily. Knowing how to clean a carpet or a rug in the specific way suited to either of these two items is important to keep them in good condition and prevent deterioration. This piece by Green State Carpet Cleaning NYC will tell you all about it and a lot more. Read on to find out!

Is It Necessary to Use a Specific Cleansing Agent for Washing Rugs or Carpet Cleaning?

The answer to the question above is no.

For cleaning and daily maintenance of carpets and rugs, it is not necessary to use a special product. But for stain removal and dirt removal, you'll need a specific cleaner or carpet cleaner that is suitable for sensitive materials.

In that case, remember to always read the manufacturer's instructions and wear gloves to protect your skin. We also recommend using the product first on a small inconspicuous part of the carpet on a trial basis.

On the other hand, if you want, you can make your own household cleaner. Mix warm water, a little white vinegar and a drop of detergent. Do not apply too much pressure while applying it over the stain to avoid saturating the fabric of the carpet or rug and dampening its back side.

For everyday carpet cleaning and keeping rugs in a good condition, first vacuum the item in question and then use a bristle brush. As for cleaning:

Vacuum the back of the carpet/rug to loosen stubborn dirt.

Reverse the position of the carpet and vacuum the top without compromising the tassels on the edges, if you can.

Manually separating the tassels protects them and prevents damage from vacuuming.

After vacuuming, use a brush to remove remaining dust or hair, especially if you have pets at home.

Washing carpets: rugs, you can be washed in the washing machine?

Before putting it in the washing machine, read the label of the carpet or rug that has washing instructions. Usually, woven and braided rugs are quite strong and can be washed in the washing machine, but there are other materials that are more delicate.

Although woven carpets are more resistant, you should place them in a pillowcase or a bag of washable cotton before placing them in the washing machine. In this way, the material will have no direct contact with the drum of the machine and you can avoid damaging your carpet.

Cleaning Delicate Rugs, Carpets and Oriental Rugs

When cleaning delicate rugs like oriental rugs for example, you have to be very careful to prevent damage to the fabric or fibers. Here's how to do it:

For daily maintenance, place an airy fabric such as a light cotton or nylon cloth on top of the carpet and then vacuum over it.

The dirt should be filtered through the cloth that you are using to cover the carpet instead of removing it directly from the fibers so that it is not damaged. This technique will even make the carpet/rug feel softer than before!

To treat stains and dirt marks, try to use a household cleaner that isn’t harsh and is made from natural products. The mixture of warm water, vinegar and detergent mentioned earlier is excellent for cleaning Oriental rugs.

To remove odors, especially those because of pets, sprinkle common baby talcum powder over the carpet . Leave it overnight to absorb odors. The next morning, vacuum to remove the talc.

How often do you have to do the cleaning of carpets or rugs?

Ideally, carpet cleaning and rug cleaning should be carried out at least once a week, especially if they are exposed to constant use or pets at home. Vacuuming every week is also recommended (unless the carpets are used very rarely and if that's the case then twice a month is OK).

If they are stained, the stains should be cleaned right away. It is always easier to get a stain out when it is still fresh, because once it dries; it is impregnated into the fibers.

Finally, hire a professional carpet cleaning service for deep carpet cleaning every six months or at once in a year to keep your carpets and rugs looking like new!