Common Rug Cleaning Mistakes

In this blog entry, the professional New Jersey carpet and rug cleaning team here at Carpetline will detail the most common mistakes people often make when cleaning their rugs.

Common Rug Cleaning Mistakes

• Using Improper Cleaning Products – Harsh chemicals and bleach can easily damage your rug’s fibers and fade its colors. Check manufacturer recommendations before cleaning and only use cleaning solutions approved for the style and material of your rug. If you have a natural fiber rug like a silk or wool rug, use gentle and pH-balanced cleansers.
• Getting Rugs Too Wet – If you apply too much water to your rug it can cause mold and mildew growth. When cleaning, use minimal water and make sure your rug dries fully afterwards. Overwetting can also cause your rug’s dye to bleed and fibers to weaken, hurting your rug’s structural integrity.
• Forgetting Regular Rug Maintenance – Don’t wait till your rug looks dirty visibly to clean it. Regularly vacuum and spot clean your rug to prevent dirt and debris from getting embedded in its fibers and damaging your rug. Vacuum rugs weekly to remove dirt and prevent buildup, and handle stains and spills as soon as possible to avoid damage.
• Wrong Vacuuming Techniques– Using vacuums with aggressive brush rolls on delicate rugs can cause your rug to fray and wear out. Use a vacuum with a gentle suction setting or a handheld vacuum for better control. ONLY vacuum your rug in the same direction of its fibers.
• Neglecting Professional Rug Cleaning – There is simply no substitute for professional rug cleaning. Only by having your rug professionally cleaned periodically can you ensure its longevity. Professional rug cleaners can better remove dirt and allergen buildup, as well as tough stains, that DIY rug cleaning methods cannot achieve. Have your rug professionally cleaned every 12-18 months.

Aggressively Scrubbing Stains– Don’t vigorously scrub rug stains. This can push the stain deeper into the rug’s fibers, and damage its texture. Blot stains carefully and gently using a clean white cloth, working from the outside in to prevent spreading the stain around. Use a mixture of water and gentle detergent or a mild rug cleaning solution, and blot until the stain is removed.