Stain Removal Tips
Oxygen Cleaners (“Oxy” Cleaners)
Oxygen cleaners work well for spot cleaning a variety of stains on rugs made from synthetic fibers. One of the nice features about oxygen cleaners is that they’re environmentally safe.
Broadway Furniture Has A Great Selection Of Area Rugs For You To Choose From
These cleaners (most of them) form oxygen, hydrogen peroxide and soda ash when water is added. It is important to follow usage and dilution directions as listed on the packaging. Rinse the area well after cleaning. Also, test for colorfastness on a test area before working on the problem area.
CAUTION: Do not use oxygen cleaners on wool or silk rugs and avoid prolonged skin contact. This is because soda ash (mentioned in paragraph above) is sodium carbonate and it has alkaline properties.
Do not walk on the recently cleaned part of the rug until it is completely dry. This will help prevent pile distortion.
Dry Powder Cleaners
Dry powder cleaners can be used to remove many surface stains on low pile rugs. The dry powder absorbs the dirt particles and then it can be vacuumed up. This relatively simple cleaning method uses no water. For rugs that are heavily soiled, it is best to use another method or let a professional rug cleaner take care of it.
CAUTION: This is not a good option to use with plush rugs or deep pile rugs because the cleaning residue can be hard to remove from these types of rugs.
Dry Foam Cleaners
This cleaning method involves light detergent foam that is worked into the rug and then vacuumed out when it is dry. This method uses little or no water.
CAUTION: Use extreme care on rugs with loops because looped rugs do not have a good tolerance for the beater bar on a vacuum nor other types of brushing.
To avoid pile distortion, wait until the spot is completely dry before walking on that part of the rug.
Steam Cleaning Rugs
There is some debate among rug experts about using a steam cleaner on rugs at home. The main concern is about using too much detergent or too much water or not operating the steam cleaner properly.
Some of the cleaning agents used with rented steam cleaners leave a residue. So, it is a good idea to first test the cleaning agent on a small area. If any residue is present or if the area feels sticky, do not use that product. Seek the advice of a professional, or better yet, just let them clean your rug.
Cleaning Rugs Made of Synthetic Material
Most of the rugs made with synthetic fibers including polypropylene, nylon and acrylic can be cleaned using almost any method of cleaning. Here are three general tips for cleaning synthetic rugs.
On dried stains or dry dirt (not mud), vacuum the rug before using one
of the cleaning methods. For some stains, you might want to apply a
preconditioning solution to start loosening the stain.
Follow the recommendations of the rug manufacturer and pay attention
to the directions for diluting and applying any cleaning solution. Sounds
simple, but many people seem to ignore this.
Do not use laundry detergent or automatic dishwasher detergent. Also,
avoid using strong household cleaners that are made to clean woodwork,
laminate, linoleum or tile.
Cleaning Wool Rugs
Wool rugs can be cleaned using almost any of the cleaning methods, however, try to avoid excessive heat and agitation. Wool rugs should be cleaned with neutral detergents and then dried right away using adequate ventilation, but no heat. Be cautious around household cleaning products, such as bleach and other alkaline products (like bathroom cleaners) because those items can easily damage wool fibers.
CAUTION: Do not use oxygen cleaners on wool rugs.
Cleaning Cotton or Rayon Rugs
Cotton and rayon are both cellulose fibers and can be cleaned with any of the rug cleaning methods. Excessive drying and/or agitation should be avoided to prevent shrinking. As with wool rugs, use caution with alkaline products.
Cleaning Silk Rugs
A dry cleaning process is the best cleaning method for rugs made of silk. Acids, both natural and synthetic, as well as sunlight can damage silk fibers. It is advisable to consult a professional rug cleaner about silk rugs.
CAUTION: Do not use oxygen cleaners on silk rugs.
Cleaning Rugs Made of Sisal or Other Plant Fibers
Sisal, jute, coconut (coir), hemp and ramie all have characteristics that are like that of cotton. Generally, it is safe to clean rugs made of these materials with any of the rug cleaning methods. As with other rugs, it is best to dry the rug quickly, without using excess heat.
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You Can Find A Fantastic Selection Of Area Rugs To Suit Your Needs in Portland, OR., at
Broadway Furniture 228 NE Broadway Portland Oregon 97232 503 — 281 — 5555 “Your Doorway To Values” We Are Locally Owned and Family Run For Over 70 Years! Our store carries over 50,000 square feet of furniture and accessories on 5 floors. If you don’t see it on our showroom floor, we can special order it for you – at No Extra Cost! source:http://www.area-rug-tips.com/ |
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