How to Prepare for Professional Oriental Rug Cleaning

At Chem-Dry, we understand that oriental rugs are so much more than floor coverings and decorative items. In many instances, they are cherished souvenirs and even heirlooms that have been passed down from generation to generation. Their unique weave styles and beautiful artistic patterns represent an intricate cultural history and master craftsmanship. To preserve your rug’s beauty and help ensure it can remain within your family for as long as possible, enlisting the help of oriental rug cleaning professionals is a must.

Preparing for Oriental Rug Cleaning

If you’re thinking about partnering with the expert rug cleaners at Chem-Dry for this task, you may be wondering what to expect and whether there are any steps you can take to make this process go as smoothly as possible. Below, we’re taking a look at the preparatory process for oriental rug cleaning.

Understanding the Importance of Pre-Inspections

One of the first things our technicians will do is conduct a comprehensive examination of your rug before making any further decisions about how it will be cleaned. During this pre-inspection stage, we will keep an eye out for evidence of wear and tear, signs of damage and fiber breakage, and any specific spots that may need special attention.

The pre-inspection process gives us the opportunity to identify the textiles the rug was made with, its weave, and specific dye patterns. Using this information, we can make an informed decision about which cleaning method to use.

Before we visit your home, we recommend taking a moment to examine your rug yourself and take note of any spots and stains or areas that are particularly concerning. For example, if you know that a spill or accident has occurred on the rug, it will be beneficial to inform us about what substance was spilled and when the stain took hold. That way, we can select the most appropriate approach to neutralizing the problem. Furthermore, you may want to jot down a quick history of the rug, such as when and where you purchased it and any other details that may be pertinent to its care.

Preparing Your Rug for Deep Cleaning Through Dust Removal

Rugs in high-traffic areas tend to accumulate a lot of dust and debris over time, and these tiny particles can become compacted into layers that rub against the delicate fibers of the rug. Although vacuuming can help stall this process, it can’t get rid of the deep-seated dirt and grime that has already made its way to the bottom of your rug. 

As part of the cleaning process, we work with specialized equipment to remove even the most stubborn soil. However, we do recommend that you go ahead and conduct a preliminary vacuuming of your rug to remove any loose dirt and soil on the surface, as well as on its backside. This will not only help with stain identification, but will also limit the amount of dust stirred up during pre-inspection and handling. 

Protecting the Vibrancy of Your Rug with Colorfastness Testing 

One of the biggest concerns when it comes to oriental rug cleaning is making sure the dyes don’t bleed together or fade. You can trust us to protect the vibrancy of your rug. This is because we conduct a colorfastness test before using any type of liquid or cleaning solution on your rug. As part of this test, we will apply a small amount of the chosen formula to a discreet section of the rug for a better understanding of how the dyes will react to the cleaning process.

To prepare for this step, we recommend thinking over any cleaning of the rug you have done in the past, including any specific treatments or products you have used. Informing us of previous issues can make the cleaning process safer and more efficient. Additionally, if you have noticed that certain colors or areas are prone to fading, don’t hesitate to let us know.

Get Started with Oriental Rug Cleaning from Our Experienced Professionals

You can trust our professionals to prepare you for every step of the oriental rug cleaning process and ensure you know exactly what to expect. Learn more by calling (800) CHEM-DRY today!