Most rugs are hand-made, unique pieces of art. The skill, effort and the time spent on generating a rug make them valuable heirlooms. Experts recommend several guidelines for antique rug care that could potentially extend the life of the rug. Basic rug care involves vacuuming regularly, protecting the rug from strong sunlight and not walking over them with pointed or damaged heels.
Oriental rug care is surprisingly simple. Oriental rugs are typical designed from wool, a natural fiber that is resilient and durable. Following is a list of simple Oriental rug care tips.
- Vacuuming the rugs is better than steam cleaning, dry cleaning and chemical processing as these may remove the oil from the wool leaving it with a brittle and worn look.
- Scoop out the solids as soon as it falls on the rug and blot the rug immediately with paper towels in case of a liquid spillage. This reduces the chances of a stain formation. For stain removal, club soda or diluted liquid dish wash is preferable over chemical cleaning solutions.
These steps are applicable to Persian rug care and cleaning as well. Hand-woven Persian rugs can take years to complete and require meticulous maintenance and care. Persian rug and most hand-made rug can be dusted by beating on the rear with a broomstick or similar type of instrument.
While oriental rugs are used for decorative purposes, sisal rugs with fiber obtained from the sub-tropical Agave plant are highly durable, sound-absorbing and anti-static. Vacuum with an upright beater brush attachment is best for sisal rug and care should be taken to wipe up the liquid spills. In the extreme cases natural fiber cleaner may be used. Since sisal rugs are moisture sensitive it is advisable to avoid wet cleaning methods as part of sisal rug care.
Wool rug care can be done by vacuuming and dry absorbent pads. Occasional steam cleaning is effective if done by a professional. Generally wool rugs can be cleaned by any method that does not involve excessive heat, agitation and strong chemical agents.
How Do You Care For Tibetan Rugs?
Tibetan rugs as the name suggests originated from the place. They were hand-woven from wool. Vacuuming is the primary and basic step in the maintenance of Tibetan rugs. Sweeping and beating the rug will also remove the loose soil. It is a good practice to rotate the rug to protect it from harsh sunlight and preserve its natural sheen.
