Which Method Cleans Carpets Best?
Rug Care and Cleaning, Part 1
Without a doubt, a wet wash done by hand, is the safest, most effective, and time-honored way of cleaning rugs.
Everything looks better after a good bath … even rugs! There’s a big difference between someone who jumps in a tub and scrubs and rinses off the dirt and soap and someone who takes a sponge bath. When it comes to cleaning rugs, a wet wash done by hand is the safest and most thorough method. A wet wash does not incorporate harsh chemicals or high heat. It is the method that has been used by rug weavers and owners for thousands of years, and it is recommended by rug retailers, rug conservators, and rug collectors.
At Daystar, we use a nine-step cleaning process that is conducted at our facility. This is far more effective than in-home methods of cleaning because in-home cleaning eliminates the two most important steps – dusting and rinsing. Having your rug cleaned in our facility allows us to give it several treatments for a more thorough cleaning and to control the drying process. It also gives us access to several important tools that are only available at our location.
Our Nine-Step Rug Wash Process:
- Step 1: Pre-Inspection and Pick Up
We will determine as much is possible about the type of rug and inherent qualities that affect cleaning. We will outline a cleaning recommendation and the expected results. Of course you can drop the rug off at our shop, but we are happy to come to your home to pick it up for you.
Our rug badger in action!
- Step 2: Dry Soil Removal
Woven rugs, especially hand-knotted rugs, are designed to hide dry soil. A study by the Eureka Company found that a 9’ x 12’ rug could hide 87 pounds of dirt! We use a variety of techniques to “dust” the rugs from the front and back. A machine called a rug badger, special vacuum attachments, and many other tools are implemented. This is the most important step in cleaning any textile.
- Step 3: Pre-Testing
We carefully pre-test your rug for dye bleeding, and if necessary, we use a special agent to prevent dye bleeding.
- Step 4: Pre-Condition
Depending of the fiber content and soiling type, your rug will be pre-treated to emulsify the soils.
- Step 5: Pre-Spot and Fringe Preparation
Any potentially difficult spots will be pre treated with special solutions to increase chances of removal. The fringe is also pre-treated for maximum soil removal.
- Step 6: Rug Wash
As mentioned, our wet wash method is the most thorough way of cleaning rugs, and it is also the safest method because it does not incorporate harsh chemicals or high heat. As a result, the fibers are rinsed until super clean. In-home and other cleaning methods leave mud in the rug’s foundation, and chemical residue throughout the fibers.
- Step 7: Speed Dry
Once the soil is rinsed away, the rug is dried flat in a controlled environment. Proper drying is essential to avoid unnatural shrinkage.
- Step 8: Finishing
When the rug is dry, it is combed and finished with soft groomers made for specialty rugs.
- Step 9: Post Inspection, Delivery Inspection, and Delivery
Our cleaning specialist will give the rug a final inspection and release it for pick-up or delivery. Your rug will be wrapped in paper to protect it from dust and environmental soils until it is picked up or delivered. Upon delivery, we will lay the rug for you.
By the way, rug washing works for a wide variety of textiles beyond wool and silk. We invite you to call or visit our website to learn more and to see the many rug services we offer, like repair, restoration, binding, spot and odor removal, and decontamination from fire or flood damage.
https://daystarcleaning.com/oriental-fine-area-rugs/
850.769.0606
