The following instructions are exclusively for wool Oriental Rugs. Repeat once more, then air dry. How to Keep Your Silk Rug Cleaning Without Damaging it? We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Even though a grubby or soiled silk rug might be an eyesore, we don’t recommend you attempt to clean your valuable silk rug at home. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Vacuum silk rugs regularly. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Step 2—Shake the excess dirt and dust off outdoors. Another more traditional way to get out the dirt is simply to hang the rug outside and beat it to remove the dust and dirt. However, vacuuming silk oriental rugs (minus the beater or roller brush) can pick up dirt before it is ground into the fibers. Oriental Rugs Made from Silk. Like every other rug, silk rugs can also become dirty as time passes. It is recommended of course to limit the amount of foot traffic especially from pets and children on silk area rugs. If you have a full rug cleaning facility, with a roller wringer to feed the rug through, then it is possible to quickly wash a silk rug. Rugs need less detergent than your typical laundry. For at least 5000 years, the silkworm has been domesticated and producing silk beginning in China, which later spread to India, Korea, Japan and the rest of the world. Last option if the above does not work is to use a little bit of baking soda on the spill. Absorb as much liquid as possible by pressing the affected areas gently with a clean, white cloth. Support wikiHow by The lowest risk option to take when cleaning a silk oriental rug is to have it professionally cleaned, at an area rug store like Ruby Rugs. Mix equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle. We had the, Oriental rugs have always been famous for their of color. With so many new materials and textiles showing up in the world, the word “silk” is still considered to be the best of the best of fine fabrics. References. Some Turkish rugs are made of silk and silk rugs are quite sensitive. Having people remove their shoes at the entry is a lot easier than cleaning the dirt off the silk rugs. Unlike silk, wool is water resistant, so spills are less likely to damage a wool-silk blend rug. Never wring your silk items-and never toss them in the dryer, warns Whitehurst. Choose wool and silk blend rugs to achieve the softness of a silk rug, but the durability of a wool rug. Mildew, mold or dry rot can result if any of the rug surfaces are damp. Use a vacuum cleaner that has a brushless suction head to vacuum the rug at least twice per week. See typical tasks and time to clean silk rug, along with per unit costs and material requirements. In more severe cases, you should however have the carpet cleaned by professionals. Garden Hose would be suitable equipment for the task. Last option if the above does not work is to use a little bit of baking soda on the spill. For more tips, including how to find a reputable professional cleaner for silk rugs, read on! Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. In the event of large spills, be sure the top, under surface and pad of the rug are completely dry before placing it back on the floor. The snow must be packable (i.e., snowman snow) rather than fluffy snow. Thus, it is best that they are not rubbed, heated or have strong chemicals poured on them. You have to give it extra care and go easy on the brushing. To do this you need to immediately soak the stain with water. Sweep the silk rug … What to avoid when cleaning silk. We enjoyed wonderful food from SF Kabob and flowers from Solano Florist! If a spill happens on your silk oriental rug, the best thing to do is to immediately take steps to remove the liquid. To clean your shag rug, start with the oldest rug-cleaning method in the book – shake your … If you dont really need to deep clean, spot cleaning as accidents occur or just a small area is the best option to maintain silk and wool rugs. This method works really well for rugs that are too delicate to clean with a vacuum or a heavy-duty machine, but it can be used on any rug that’s easily transported, which excludes wall-to-wall carpets. Consider placing a silk rug in a room that is used infrequently, or hang it on the wall as a decorative art piece. See professionally prepared estimates for silk rug cleaning work. A silk rug can add elegance and style to your home, but only when it’s clean and vibrant. If it is an area where people eat and there are often kids and pets, you may be better off with a more durable easy to clean rug unless you are prepared to replace the silk rug frequently. To wash the rug, you should set it to delicate and fill it with cold water. Get a clean white towel and dampen it with warm (not boiling) water. Then, again BLOT the rug with the water and vinegar. The sun’s rays will cause the dyes in the fibers to fade or bleach out completely. Apply a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water to remove stains. In terms of cleaning silk carpets, there are some definite “no-no’s”: don’t use enzymatic cleaners, which use enzymes to digest protein-based stains – silk consists largely of protein, so these cleaners may break down the silk fibers; don’t use hot water or steam; heat can cause silk to shrink In this case, you must get them cleaned, but there is one problem. To avoid too much sunlight on your silk oriental rug, it is best that you rotate it every 3-4 months so that the sunlight is exposing the rug in equal portions. Abrasive cleanings agents, hot water and steam cleaning can damage silk fibers, so professional cleaning is recommended for all silk rugs. Use the mildest detergents and as much as possible leave the cleaning to professionals to make sure that the right thing is done. Hot water will cause permanent damage to silk rugs. To clean your silk rug, all you need to do is shake it outside and then gently sweep it with a broom. Blot clean rug Dip a sponge in the water, squeeze out excess moisture, and blot the cleaner onto the rug, working in sections until you've covered the entire surface. Then, soak the rug with cold running water in the same direction as the oriental rug pile; you can use a garden hose for this purpose. To get rid of any stains on your silk rug, first absorb any spilled liquid with a clean white cloth. Use about three tablespoons of rug shampoo with a gallon of water, according to House Cleaning Central. Don't: Clean Silk Rugs with Hot Water or Strong Chemicals Hot water will permanently damage silk rugs, so do not use water above a lukewarm temperature. Check the direction of the pile. The moment you place your rug in a clean place, have it face down on the reverse side facing up. Alternatively, mix equal parts white vinegar and water and blot the stain with the mixture and a dry cloth. When done, fill a bucket with cold water and mild liquid soap (rug shampoo would work too). Silk fibers are most sensitive to damage and stretching when they’re wet. Silk is a natural protein fiber that is produced when silkworm larvae form cocoons. The enemy to silk rugs is. You cannot easily wash them the way you usually do with other rugs. Dry Clean Only Rugs . Since the fibers of your bamboo silk rug are not as resilient as wool or other types of fibers, then you will want to avoid placing your rug in a high traffic area. Soak … To remove excess water, place the wet garment on a white cotton towel. You can also use a vacuum with a brushless section head. In the following we give some valuable advice on how to clean your own Persian or oriental carpet. Before we get to how to best clean silk rugs, it is good to discuss the importance of avoiding problems from starting. 7. For hand-tufted and/or carpets with silk/artificial silk content, please advise your local professional per your rug washing needs. 4. Allow the baking soda to absorb for about 1 hour. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. 4 ways to clean silk rugs wikihow dark grey ziegler rug silk and wool an investment you can walk on natural silk carpet qom handmade 168 silk rug cleaning bedrosian... Read more » If it's more of an adults/older kids only area where tracking in dirt and spills are unlikely, it will be fine. If the rug is visibly faded or damage, do not use the cleaning solution. It is expensive but I think it is the best method for cleaning them. Do not use chemical cleaners or commercial stain removers on silk rugs. Do not use heat, such as a hair dryer, to dry the area because heat may damage a silk rug. After area dries, use a small scrub brush to fluff up fibers. Here’s how to wash rugs and bath mats by hand: Prepare a bowl of warm water and detergent – such as Persil Silk & Wool; Using a clean colour-fast cloth, dab the rug with the water and detergent solution to loosen dirt. The question that all silk rug owners ask – how to clean a silk rug without damaging it? Upon bringing the rug back to the store, we observed that not only was wine splashed on the rug, but the rug was just generally soiled from the lounging of … Once you are sure of the safety of the rug, vacuum/swipe/shake the rug to remove dirt. How to Safely Clean a New Synthetic Area Rug. Can I use a wool and silk rug in a family area? Having been, On Thursday, April 11th, we had our official Grand Opening celebration for our luxury area rugs store. 3. Last Updated: September 7, 2020 For those who love silk rugs, it is not uncommon for them to have their silk oriental rugs scattered throughout the house in almost any traffic area. You may damage the rug’s fibers if you use a beater or roller brushes. For more tips, including how to find a reputable professional cleaner for silk rugs, read on! 5. Silk is made from the silk worm, otherwise known as Bombyx mori. [1] X Research source When spot cleaning silk rugs, be sure to use lukewarm or cool water. Silk Turkish rugs and Kayseri silk rugs are also very popular. Lightly mist the rug with the vinegar and water solution. Also, the toenails of pets may pick or snag the fibers. Known for its ability to refract light, silk can be used to create shimmering rugs. SHAKE. These are at-home remedies in an emergency. These steps provide an emergency and quick solution to spills or pet urine. Russia Russia 1803 Carpets. Most of these rugs have backings that will fall apart if exposed to too much moisture. Hallways or near entryways should be avoided. Whether 100 percent silk or a silk combination, the inclusion of “silk in a rug creates a sensual shine that’s unmatched by other surfaces,” says Alessandra Wood, the vice president of style at online interior finishing service.In addition to its finish, silk rugs are fine, often thin, and soft to the touch. This article has been viewed 122,457 times. Another option is to blot the stain with a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and water. Don't: Place Silk Rugs in High Traffic Area Rugs in high-traffic areas are more likely to be stained or to wear out. You will also want to find a specialty oriental rug cleaner where they use something called a Turkish bath. Allow your rug to dry thoroughly before walking on it again. This article has been viewed 122,457 times. I used part OdoBan and part water. Silk rugs Silk rugs 1937 Carpets. Synthetic rugs, like any carpet, last longer when you take care of them correctly. Use your hands and, if you must, the smallest amount of soap to clean the spot with a clean white wash cloth. Apply club soda to remove color from stains. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Once you’ve got rid of the stain, leave the rug to air dry. These rugs are used exclusively by the royal class. % of people told us that this article helped them. The silk rug has been coveted for hundreds of years. You can also clean area rugs without a machine on a snowy day. When spot cleaning a silk rug, test the cleaning solution (such as club soda or vinegar) on a small, hidden area before applying to the entire rug. And that is what is needed for a silk rug, a quick overall wash process. If warm water doesn’t lift the stain out of the silk Oriental rug, try adding a small amount of white vinegar to your at-home solution. Allow the cleaning solution to dry and inspect the rug. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Recently, a customer who had purchased a bamboo silk and wool rug from us called for a cleaning, because red wine had been spilled on the rug. You can, however, spot clean stains using a carpet stain remover or follow the tips for removing specific stains from carpet. To give your rug a long lifespan, place the rug in a low-traffic area. To create this article, 17 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. These are at-home remedies in an emergency. unlocking this expert answer. If you’re drying it indoors, open the windows and run a fan in the room to speed up the process. Wipe the rug gently with a clean, dry cloth. But, of course things get complicated; there are imitation silk rugs made from mercerized cotton or synthetic rayon that we have to take into account. Allow the area to air dry. Avoid commercial cleaning agents, which may permanently discolor a silk rug. After several years of planning and making several buying trips around the world, we’ve finally got the dream area rug store and the dream inventory. We want to embrace the idea that modern rugs are here to, Sign up for our weekly newsletter for amazing offers and sales, Home Decor Trends With Modern Area Rugs in 2019, The Meaning of Color in Persian and Oriental Rugs, TRADE-IN YOUR OLD RUGS FOR MODERN RUGS - CALL 510-558-3244, Ruby Rugs in Berkeley is Open For Business, Ruby Rugs Grand Opening Party April 11, 2019, Enzymatic Cleaners – (including pet urine stain removers). Once again, use the BLOTTING method to absorb the stain into the towel. There are two basic types of material used in Oriental rug making; wool and silk. Rugs that are placed in direct sunlight can be in danger of fading. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5e\/Clean-Silk-Rugs-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-Silk-Rugs-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5e\/Clean-Silk-Rugs-Step-1.jpg\/aid2414866-v4-728px-Clean-Silk-Rugs-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"