Is There A Difference Between Rug Cleaners?
The answer to this question is a resounding YES. Learn more about the rug cleaning do's and don'ts and processes they might follow to professionally clean your rug.
This partially depends on the type of rug and the level of cleaning it needs. For machine-made or less expensive rugs, it may be okay to have it cleaned at your home, but even then it's a little risky since colors could run. More specialized carpet rug professionals will take the rug to their site, where they use specialized cleaning products and machines, including spinners, to get all the water and dirt out of the rug.
Although processes may vary between cleaners, these are some of the steps/processes that many professional cleaners use to ensure your rug is clean and is not damaged in the cleaning process.
- Initial Inspection and Rug Pick Up
- Follow Up Detailed Rug Inspection: includes determining its fiber construction, special needs and the best cleaning method, cleaning products and drying time needed. During this step, the technician also determines crucial information about the rug’s pre-existing condition and investigates and documents any rug damage, such as:
- Dry and wet rot
- Mold and mildew
- Dye stains, color bleeding, discoloration, and browning
- Rug Stains
- Fading
- Worn and rotten fringes
- Pet Odors and waste, such as pet urine, feces, and vomit
If their inspection reveals that repair is needed in order to prevent further damage prior to cleaning, they contact you with the repair report information and a recommended course of action to repair and restore your rug.
- Compressed Air Dusting: compressed air is an amazingly gentle, yet highly effective way to remove literally pounds of dust, dirt and small particles from the rug, which is impossible to remove with a standard vacuum cleaner.
- Clear Water Rug Cleaning, Immersion Wash and Rinse: Used to select gentle cleaning agents based on your rug's condition. Some use a clear-water rinse to wash out all removable stains, dirt, and odors. Often technicians do this rug cleaning process by hand, and repeat it until the rug water washes clear and they are satisfied with the results.
- Fresh Air Rug Drying: Some rugs are hung to dry, using gravity to pull water out, while other rugs are dried flat, depending on the rug type.
- Rug Combing, Brushing, and Fluffing: technicians use combing and brushing or pile-fluffing techniques for the best results to deliver a luxuriously soft rug to you.
- Rug Fringe Cleaning and Grooming: they groom the fringes and hand comb and trim fringe edges for the final touch to a beautifully clean, fresh, vibrant and restored rug.
- Post Cleaning Vacuuming and Inspection: Finally, they vacuum the rug again, trim any loose fibers, and do one final inspection to make sure the rug cleaning results satisfy our high standards.
- Optional Rug Fiber Protector, Insect Repellent & Rug Pad Services: as an optional service, many cleaners can apply moth, carpet beetle, and insect larvae deterrent, and fiber protector to prevent your rug from future staining. They may also offer and can deliver and install a custom-sized, non-skid rug pad to prolong the life and beauty of your area rug.
- Rug Delivery or pick-up
Most rugs can be restored, whether it's the fabrics in the middle or the fringe that needs to be re-strung. This service is something that differentiates a lot of rug professionals on whether or not they can not only clean but restore your rug back to its original condition.
With advanced techniques, most rug professionals can get out most stains depending on how long it's set into the fabric. Be sure to let the rug cleaner know what type of stain you think it might be, as this can affect the process they use to try to get out the stain.
This article was published with support from the writers at Home Wiz Guy.