What The Rug Cleaning Process Entails
Area rugs are different from carpets, due to one main aspect: the pile. The rugs have a denser pile construction. After all, they are required to wipe off loads of dirt from footwear, preventing it from being spread to the rest of the carpet or flooring. While this aids in their functionality, it becomes an issue when it comes to cleaning. It’s more difficult to remove the dirt after it has made its way into the rug’s fibres, getting down to the foundation. Vacuuming won’t get the task done, as there will still be loads of soiling trapped within the material. Without routine professional cleaning, the rugs quickly begin showing signs of wear and tear. As more traffic is handed by the rug, the dirt is pushed deeper into the material, abrading it, and can even cause fibre loss. High-powered tools are needed to get rid of the grime. Different factors go into determining the methods that will be used for the rug cleaning. These include:
- The material of the rug
Rugs come in different materials, each with their varying dyes and treatment. Some are highly valuable and come as statement pieces, to enhance the decor of the premises. Here, the goal is usually to make an impression, the material tends to be fragile. There are rugs made of natural fibres, and others synthetic fabric. Some have a sensitive dye that can get leached out if the wrong cleaning agents are used on it, and for others the structural integrity will be on the line if the wrong temperatures and pressures are used when cleaning them.
- Cleaning products required
The natural and synthetic rugs have different approaches of cleaning. This includes everything from the chemicals that can be safely applied on them, to the water pressure and heat that is involved. The level of soiling, plus the type of stains that are on the rugs also comes into play. The water-based and oil-based stains that are on the rug will need different formulations to remove them. As such, one need is to put in place measures that are effective in getting rid of the stubborn spots, while at the same time being safe for the underlying pile construction. Incompatible products that are used during the DIY rug cleaning often lead to damage of the material, or wastage of time and resources as one spends hours on the task without the stains coming off.
- Assessing the condition of the rug
Before the rug cleaning team gets started, they evaluate the state of the unit. The rug’s condition- from the colour variations, the knots that may be in the construction due to the weave type of the rug, to the level of soiling that is being dealt with, are analysed. Aspects such as staining, wear of the material, and colour bleeding are also looked at before the crew determine the method of approach to take. They will discuss the different options that are available with you, properly explaining each of them to enable you make a well-informed decision.
- Cleaning the rug
This is mainly broken down into two bits:
- The dusting
The goal of this is to remove the loose debris that is in the rug. Did you know that each single square foot of material can hold close to a pound of dirt? Vacuums with high powered suction can be used, or systems where the rug is placed on a vibrating grate which literally shakes out the embedded dirt.
- Washing the rug
Before it is washed, aspects such as colourfastness are determined, to check the rug’s susceptibility to fading or running. Colour runs occur when the dark colours of the rug bleed into the lighter sections, distorting the original appearance of the unit. Assessing in the state of the rug avoids this. Some units will even be required to be bathed in a dye stabilizer. The rug is given a thorough wash with detergents that will be safe for it, plus soft-bristled brushes that scrub out the gunk without putting the material at risk. They are then rinsed out using equipment like centrifuges. The larger units can be worked on with hot water extraction systems- where the soiling is flushed out of the rug using a combination of heated water and cleaning solutions, and the mechanical action that results from the pressures that are involved.
- Drying
You don’t want your rug remaining wet for longer than is necessary. Our rug cleaning personnel incorporate drying systems into the process. These vary, from wet vacuums that extract the water from the material to drying racks that come with air movers to speed up the process.
- Final touches
The rug cleaning personnel go over the unit, working on the fringes of to clean and dry them if needed. Your rug is also brushed, making it ready to be placed back in its position for use.
Giving your rug quality care
We are fully equipped to take care of the different types of rugs. From Oriental and Persian designs, Aubusson, Silk, and Needlepoint rug, our crew will give them specialised care, getting rid of the dirt and grime without putting the material of the rug at risk. They are specially trained and vetted, and come with years of experience. This enables them to determine the cleaning method that will best suit the particular fibre, weave and dyes of your rug. We’re also keen on time. After all, you don’t want to be inconvenienced in your plans. Our rug cleaning personnel arrive at your premises punctually, with the machinery needed to hit the ground running. They will also bring attention aspects in your establishment that are posing a risk to your rug, that way arrangements can be made to have the issues resolved to avoid damages later on.
Our goal is to ensure that you’re satisfied with our rug cleaning services. This is across the board, from the quality of the results to the customer services. Get in touch with us today to book your rug cleaning session.
What The Rug Cleaning Process Entails
