Cleaning Oriental Rugs: Complete Guide to Safe & Effective Care

Oriental rugs are pieces of art. Many are handmade, use natural dyes, and feature delicate fibers such as wool or silk. Improperly cleaning your Oriental rug can cause colors to fade, weaken fibers, and shorten your rug’s lifespan.

Owning an Oriental rug? Uphold that investment with proper care and maintenance. Here’s your ultimate guide to cleaning Oriental rugs without ruining them. Learn which methods are safe, when it’s ok to DIY, and when you should hire a professional. Follow our step-by-step guide and enjoy your beautiful rug for decades to come.

Whether you have a precious Persian rug that’s been in your family for generations or a decorative rug runner, we’ll show you how to clean Oriental rugs safely.

Why Do Oriental Rugs Require Special Care?

Oriental rugs require special care because of how they’re made.

Most Oriental rugs:

• Are hand-knotted or hand woven
• Are made of wool, silk, or cotton
• Use natural vegetable dyes
• Have fringe that is stitched into the rug’s foundation

Machine-made synthetic rugs can handle rough chemicals and scrubbing. Oriental rugs have porous natural fibers that absorb liquids easily and can bleed. Aggressive cleaning methods can cause permanent damage.

That’s why you must take extra care when washing Oriental rugs.

How Frequently Should Oriental Rugs Be Cleaned?

How often you should clean your rug depends on where it’s located and how much traffic it experiences.

Heavy traffic rooms like your living room or entryway should be vacuumed weekly. Most rugs need deep cleaning every 12-18 months.

If you have pets or suffer from allergies you may need to clean more often. Dirt and grime can get caught in wool fibers and work like sandpaper from the inside out. Prevention is key.

Ideally you want to get your rug professionally deep cleaned every 1-3 years. This maintains both its beauty and structural integrity.

Step 1: Vacuum Regularly (Properly)

Routine vacuuming prevents dirt from getting ground into your rug.

How to vacuum without damaging your rug:

• Use suction only. No rotating brush bars!
• Go with the direction of the pile.
• Avoid vacuuming the fringe directly.
• Vacuum both sides of the rug.

Vacuuming both sides helps loosen dirt trapped in the rug’s foundation. Fringes are often attached to the foundation so you’ll want to be careful there.

If you can’t turn off the brush roll on your vacuum, buy a handheld vacuum instead.

Step 2: Blot Spills Immediately

Spills happen. Don’t panic, just react quickly.

Guidelines for treating liquid spills:

• Blot as much liquid as possible with a clean white cloth
• DO NOT scrub or rub
• Work from the outside of the spill towards the middle
• Use cold water instead of hot

You can mix a small amount of mild dish soap into water if the stain persists. Always patch test your solution on a hidden corner to ensure the rug doesn’t bleed.

For organic stains like pet accidents, mix equal parts water and white vinegar. The vinegar will break down bacteria and eliminate odor. Patch test any solution you make.

Never use store bought carpet cleaners unless the label specifically states it’s safe for wool or silk rugs.

Step 3: Deep Cleaning Your Oriental Rug At Home

Only perform this method for light maintenance. Always have your rug professionally washed.

Deep cleaning your rug at home:

• Take your rug outside and shake it.
• Vacuum both sides of your rug.
• Mix cold water with a small amount of wool-safe detergent.
• Gently sponge the surface. Do NOT saturate.
• Lightly rinse your rug with as little water as possible.
• Blot up excess moisture with towels.
• Lay flat to dry in the shade.

You should never hang your rug over a railing to dry. The weight of water can stretch and deform your rug’s foundation.

Make sure your rug does not dry in direct sunlight. UV rays can fade your rug’s natural dyes.

Tips on What NOT to Do When Cleaning Oriental Rugs

Here are some don’ts that can cost you.

DON’T:

• Steam clean.
• Use hot water.
• Use bleach.
• Wash your rug in the washing machine.
• Put your rug in the dryer.
• Soak your silk rug

Steam cleaning is an aggressive method that applies too much heat and moisture to your rug. Natural wool fibers can shrink from this and cause dye migration.

Heavy duty cleaners and bleach strip natural oils from wool and damage fibers over time.

When to Leave Oriental Rug Cleaning to the Professionals

Ask yourself these questions. If yes, it’s time to see a professional rug cleaner.

• Does your rug smell?
• Are there deep stains?
• Is there heavy traffic darkening?
• Was your rug exposed to water damage?
• Is there mold or mildew?
• Has your dog urinated on your rug?

Professional cleaners will:

• Pre-clean your rug by removing surface dust
• Hand wash your rug using controlled water pressure
• Use pH balanced detergent
• Clean the fringes
• Flat dry in a room with controlled temperature and humidity

Professional rug cleaners have been trained on fiber types, dye strength, and proper washing techniques.

Oriental rugs can be expensive and may be family heirlooms. If your rug is antique or high value, we recommend using a professional that specializes in Oriental rugs. Your local carpet cleaning company may not have trained technicians for this specialty.

How to Clean Pet Urine from Oriental Rugs

Treating pet accidents requires special care.

Pet urine can seep into the wool and damage your rug if left untreated. Blotting the urine immediately is key.

If the accident has already dried, you may need professional enzymes cleaned. While you can spot clean the urine yourself the odor may linger if you don’t get professional help.

Regular pet accidents? Consider purchasing a rug pad with moisture barrier protection to place underneath your Oriental rug.

How to Clean Mold / Mildew from Oriental Rugs

Mold and mildew are every Oriental rug’s worst nightmare.

If your rug experiences a flood or large liquid spill, follow these steps immediately.

• Pick up the rug and remove it from the wet area.
• Blot as much moisture from your rug as possible.
• Lay your rug flat to air dry with fans.
• DO NOT fold over or stack while damp.

If you smell a musty odor, you will likely need professional cleaning. Mold can spread and weaken your rug’s fibers.

How to Care for Oriental Rugs After Cleaning

Part of taking care of your rug is preventative maintenance.

• Rotate your rug every 6-12 months for even wear.
• Invest in a quality rug pad.
• Avoid direct sunlight when hanging your rug.
• Clean spills right away.

Using a rug pad creates a air barrier between your rug and the floor. This helps prevent moisture buildup below your rug.

How to Clean Silk Oriental Rugs

Silk rugs are trickier to clean than wool rugs.

Silk rug fibers are extremely delicate and prone to water stains. Never wet clean your silk rug at home.

If you need to have your silk rug cleaned, contact a professional who specializes in silk fiber care.

Properly Storing Oriental Rugs

Ideally, you never want to have to store your rug. But if you must, follow these steps.

• Have your rug professionally cleaned.
• Roll your rug up as tight as you can. Pile side should be facing inward.
• Wrap rug in cotton fabric. Do NOT use plastic.
• Store your rug in a dry, climate controlled area.

DO NOT fold your rug for storage. This can cause permanent creasing to your rug’s foundation.

Signs Your Oriental Rug Needs Professional Cleaning

If you notice any of these things, contact a professional cleaner right away.

• Discoloration or fading of your rug’s fringe.
• Fading colors that are uneven.
• Curling or distorted edges.
• Odors that won’t go away.
• Presence of dust or powder underneath your rug.

These can be signs of bigger problems such as foundation damage or water saturation.

Don’t let these costly issues go unchecked. Catching them early can save you on future restoration costs.

Final Words

Cleaning Oriental rugs is a process. Be patient, take your time, and do not rush.

Regular maintenance like vacuuming and spot treating can be done at home. Leave deep cleaning and revival to the experts.

If you properly care for your Oriental rug, you can pass it down through generations. Follow this guide and your rug will keep its colors vibrant, soft, and intact for years to come.

Be kind to your rugs and they’ll return the favor.