Steam Cleaning vs. In-Plant Washing for Rugs

Steam Cleaning vs. In-Plant Washing for Rugs
All rugs need to be deep cleaned from time to time. If they are serving their dual purpose of beauty and functionality, they are going to get a bit dingy. In high traffic areas, they may get dirty pretty fast. Besides a weekly vacuuming, your oriental or antique rugs need to undergo a more thorough treatment to stay in good shape.
Steam Cleaning Is a Risky Option
If you have the carpets in your home regularly steam cleaned, this can seem like a good idea for your rugs as well. It often isn’t. Residential carpets are usually made of synthetic fibers and a mid-grade carpet is only expected to last about ten years. Handmade or high-quality rugs are made of natural fibers such as cotton, wool, or silk. They are created to last for a lifetime—and far beyond. A properly maintained rug can stay in good condition for a hundred years or more. Obviously, these materials require a very different approach to deep cleaning.
The heat, humidity, chemicals (even zero residue solutions), and the mechanical agitation associated with steam cleaning a carpet can all do damage to your valuable rugs. You may find that steam cleaning does the following:
• Dries out the face fibers causing pre-mature wear
• Damages the foundation of the rug, making it prone to cracking or deterioration
• Causes the colors to run, bleed, or fade
• Loosens knots and may leave tufts or bald spots in the rug
• Leaves too much moisture in the rug, causing mildew to grow
In-Plant Cleaning Is the Safer Choice
When Oriental or antique rugs are taken to a professional rug cleaning facility, there are a number of benefits. First, the rug is being cleaned by someone who knows how to identify the right method for the job at hand. In fact, rug cleaning is done by hand. Your valuable rug is carefully groomed, washed, rinsed, and then dried in a climate controlled room.

Careful testing is also done to make sure the solutions used in cleaning won’t damage the color of the rug. Small areas of staining or damage can be fixed as part of the maintenance process to refresh and restore the rug’s appearance. Finally, deodorizers, soil repellents, and moth-proofing can be added to make your rug even more ready to go back home.
Fortunately, pickup and delivery services are available for professional rug cleaning services, making it completely convenient to have your rugs cleaned the right way. Learn more about our Oriental & Area Rug Cleaning service.