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Large rug cleaning


How to Clean a Rug: Area Rugs, Oriental Rugs, and More

Could your area rug use a deep clean? Learn how to clean a rug yourself and you can bring all your floor coverings back to life whenever you like. Area rugs may bring a room together, but they also takes a beating, from foot traffic to pets and spills. After a while, vacuuming just isn’t enough to get it truly clean—and that’s when knowing how to do it yourself comes in super handy.

Area rug cleaning is a project you can easily take on yourself. There’s no need to hire professional rug cleaners for the task—unless your rug is extremely delicate (for example, an antique rug, Persian rug, or oriental rug).

Note: There’s no need to clean rugs on a schedule. Instead, you should just clean the rugs when they are visibly dirty or have an odor. Read on to find out how to refresh those well-worn area rugs so they look as good as they did when you first unrolled them.

1. Gather Your Tools and Supplies

Here's exactly what you'll need to have on hand to complete a successful area rug cleaning:

Optional:

2.

Remove Dirt and Debris

Thoroughly vacuum on the rug on both sides. You want to make sure every last bit of debris is gone. If you have pets, use the brush attachment to get any lingering stray hairs.

3. Mix Your Cleaner

When it comes to the actual cleaning solution, you can use a rug shampoo like this one from Bissell. Whatever shampoo you choose, follow its specific directions (found on the bottle) for mixing.

Alternatively, you can also use mild dish detergent mixed in a bucket with warm water. Do not use hot water as it can shrink the rug or cause fading.

4. Do a Color Test

Before you start scrubbing, make sure the cleaner doesn’t cause the colors to run. Test the solution on the corner of the rug to make sure it is colorfast. If the color doesn't bleed, it's safe to move on to the next step.

5. Wash the Rug

Using a sponge or soft-bristle brush, work the cleaning solution into a lather on the rug. Let the cleaner sit on the rug for a five minutes before you start rinsing. Anything less than that and you'll shortchange the cleaning process. Give it those five minutes to set in and start lifting away dirt.

6. Rinse the Rug

Rinse the soap out of the rug using a garden hose or buckets of clean water. Make sure all the cleaning solution is completely removed from the area rug and the runoff water is crystal clear.

7. Remove Excess Water

At this point, you’ll want to get rid of as much excess water in the rug as you can so it will dry faster. You can use a wet-dry vacuum if you have one, or use a squeegee in the direction of the nap.

8. Let the Rug Dry

The next-to-last step to clean an area rug is simply letting it dry. Lay the rug flat and allow the top of the rug to dry completely. Then, flip it over to let the bottom side dry. Fans can help speed up the process. Make sure the rug is fully dry before you return it to the room.

9. Vacuum or Brush Out the Rug

During the cleaning process, threads and fibers can get compacted and squished. Revive them by running a vacuum over the now-dry rug, or brush them with a soft-bristled brush. Now you're finished, and can enjoy your freshly cleaned carpet. You know how to clean an area rug yourself, and you can complete the job whenever you like.

How To Clean Area Rugs — Pro Housekeepers

Posted on by maria

You might think that your area rugs don’t need any special treatment but rug cleaning is important to extend the life of your area rugs and keep them looking their best. Whatever your area rugs are made from, and no matter how large or small, our Pros have the tips you need to keep your rugs clean!

How to clean area rugs at home

Some people think you need to take rugs to a dry cleaner to have them professionally cleaned, but most rugs can be cleaned at home just as easily. Deep cleaning your rugs will help keep them looking vibrant and smelling fresh, so it’s a chore worth doing.

Area rug maintenance:

You should aim to deep clean area rugs 2-3 times per year. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Vacuum the rug as normal.

Step 2: Take the rug outside and shake it vigorously

Step 3: If the rug is too large to shake, hang it over a railing or clothesline and beat it by smacking the back to dislodge dirt

Step 4: Hang the rug or lie it flat on a driveway and spray with water until wet, but not saturated

Step 5: Use an appropriate detergent to clean the rug

Step 6: Massage the detergent into the pile by hand or with a brush, moving in the direction of the fibers

Step 7: Rinse the rug to remove the soap

Step 8: Blot dry with an old towel, or use a wet/dry vacuum to remove as much water as possible

Step 9: Hang the rug and allow to air dry completely 

This method of cleaning is suitable for most area rugs made of natural or synthetic fibers. However, some rugs, including sheepskin, cowhide, and jute, need a different approach. Check out our tips for those rugs below!

Pro Tip: Some small rugs are machine washable. Check the label for instructions. 

Want to see a professional cleaning in progress? Check out this video!

How to clean large area rugs

Some area rugs are difficult to clean because they’re too large to easily move. Enlisting the help of a friend is the easiest way to get the job done. If you don’t have the outdoor space to clean a large area rug properly, consider visiting your local car wash. There you can use the self-service tools to hose and shampoo your area rug without any fuss.

Pro Tip: Got pets that shed everywhere? Learn how to keep your house clean when you have dogs!

How to clean an outdoor rug

Outdoor rugs are much more durable than indoor rugs and can be cleaned relatively easily. Just follow these Pro tips!

Outdoor rugs are usually very durable and dry quickly. However some detergents can cause discoloration, so always spot check an inconspicuous area first.

If you notice mold or moss growing on your outdoor rug, you can treat it by washing with a solution of 1 cup bleach to a gallon of water. Spray the solution onto the rug and let stand for 5-10 minutes before rinsing thoroughly with plain water.

How to remove stains from rugs

It’s easy to accidentally stain an area rug. The best method to remove it will depend on the material the rug is made from, and the type of stain. Some stains, like vomit, need some extra treatment. For everything else, here’s some guidance from our cleaning Pros to help you find the right stain removal for the job!

STAIN

Synthetic

Cotton

Wool

Jute

Red wine

Club soda

White vinegar

Hydrogen peroxide

Club soda

Chocolate

Detergent

Detergent

Detergent

White vinegar

Coffee

Detergent

White vinegar

White vinegar

White vinegar

Lipstick

Detergent

Detergent

Rubbing alcohol

White vinegar

Blood

Detergent

Detergent

Detergent

White vinegar

With every stain, it’s important to blot up as much as possible to contain the spread. Use cold water to dilute and lift stains without setting them. Then tackle each stain with the appropriate cleaning solution for the best results.

Pro Tip: Some stains are harder to treat than others. Learn how to clean nail polish off carpets and other surfaces now!

How to clean rugs with baking soda

Baking soda is every cleaning Pro’s best friend! This cheap kitchen ingredient is a powerful cleaner and deodorizer, and that means it can help keep your area rugs fresh all year round.

Here’s how to clean area rugs with baking soda: 

That’s all it takes! Sprinkling your area rugs with baking soda is a fast, easy way to keep them clean. For extra cleaning power, you can also mist the rug with hot water or white vinegar after applying the baking soda. However, you’ll need to leave the rug for longer to fully dry out before vacuuming. This method takes at least 3 hours, ideally longer.

Pro Tip: Area rugs aren’t the only tricky fabrics to keep clean in your home. Check out our Pro guide on how to clean lampshades!

How to clean a wool rug

Whether you’ve got a pure woolen rug or a sheepskin, this natural fiber needs a little extra TLC to keep it looking good. Luckily, our Pros know all the tricks to keep your wool rug looking like new!

Step 1: Vacuum the top of your rug 2-4 times a month with the beater bar turned off

Step 2: Vacuum the back of your rug every 2 months

Step 3: Take the rug outside and shake or beat it every 2 months

Step 4: Rotate your rug every 6 months to prevent uneven wear and discoloration

Step 5: Spot clean any spills or stains immediately

Step 6: Always use wool-safe detergents and never soak a wool rug

The secret to keeping your wool rug looking amazing is regular maintenance. However if your woolen rug does need a deep clean, we recommend calling in a professional. They have the right equipment to get deep into the wool pile and clean it without risking the fibers.

How to clean a cowhide rug

Cowhide rugs are a popular choice because they’re large and easy to maintain. You can safely vacuum your cowhide rug as long as you turn off the beater bar. Always vacuum in the direction of the hair, not against it, to avoid creating bald spots.

Here are some other tips to keep your cowhide rug in top condition:

With the right treatment, your cowhide rug will look amazing for many years to come.

How to clean a jute rug

Jute is a popular natural fiber that many people choose for area rugs. Treated right, jute is hardwearing and easy to clean. Just follow our tips to keep your jute rug looking good!

Final thoughts

Whatever material your carpet is made from, there are ways to clean and maintain it. You can also remove even the trickiest of stains with a little Pro know-how! Just follow our guide to keeping your area rugs clean and you’ll enjoy beautiful rugs for years to come.

Pro Tip: Now your area rugs are clean, it’s time to do the rest of the furniture. Learn how to clean your fabric couch and sofa now!

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Dry cleaning of carpets: how to do it right

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No matter how carefully you treat floor coverings, no matter how often you clean them, sooner or later there comes a moment when only carpet cleaning can save the day and return things to their original appearance. This procedure means cleaning the rugs using special detergents and equipment.

Often, people try to solve such a task as carpet cleaning on their own, which leads to serious consequences, up to complete damage to property. Therefore, experts recommend contacting specialized companies, especially since it is not difficult to find such companies these days - the carpet cleaning business is quite developed and cheap dry cleaners are very common in Moscow. nine0004

Today even dry-cleaning of carpets with export is possible. To do this, just contact a special office, whose employees will do everything necessary. Dry cleaning of carpets with export in Moscow is a full cycle of necessary activities - from transportation to drying.

To contact or not

The main argument that guides people when deciding to clean their favorite rugs on their own is to save money. But if you think and calculate, it turns out that dry cleaning of carpets with export is not much more expensive, but there will be plenty of difficulties and problems. nine0004

First of all, for a complete cleaning, not simple, but special powders and gels are needed. They are not cheap, but are sold in large packages - the volume is designed for several washes, and the unused part will lie useless and needless for a long time. At the same time, the probability of error is high - a wide range of special products is presented in stores, and some of them are not of high quality, while others may not be compatible with a particular type of flooring. As a result, spoiled rugs, stains and even bald spots. nine0002 Also, a full-fledged cleaning using chemicals at home is impossible, as this is fraught with damage to furniture and flooding of neighbors. And these are additional expenses, not small and unplanned in the family budget. And upon completion of all procedures, drying will also be required, which is also impossible in a confined space.

All these problems will not affect you when you call a specialized carpet cleaning agency in Moscow. In this case, trained employees will arrive in a special car of suitable dimensions, carefully roll up your treasure and take it out. Dry-cleaning of carpets in the workshop will be of higher quality, as there is all the necessary equipment for this: professional vacuum cleaners, detergents, etc. In addition, you don’t have to worry about the safety of the palace, since the qualifications of employees of such organizations, as a rule, are at their best - the main thing is to contact companies with a good reputation. nine0004

Types of carpet cleaning

There are several methods by which carpets are dry-cleaned at the factory:

Wet washing of carpets is carried out in several stages. First, a cleaning solution is applied to the carpet, which is allowed to soak in, after which it is rubbed with a floor polisher or manually using brushes, and then washed off with ordinary running water.

The advantage of dry carpet cleaning is speed. It takes very little time, and the carpet after such a procedure is almost immediately ready for further use. But at the same time, dirt can remain in the depth of the pile cover. In addition, this method is powerless with strong persistent pollution. To combat such stains, vacuum cleaning is used, which does not require chemical agents at all. nine0004

Cheap carpet cleaning in Moscow has long ceased to be an elite service that is available only to the elite - now almost everyone can use it.

Carpet cleaning and modern technology

Machinery and equipment

Equipment ? the most important component of most modern technologies. Dry cleaning services ? not an exception. No matter how effective a carpet cleaner is, the full realization of its benefits is impossible without the use of appropriate machines and installations. nine0004

If a company offering a carpet cleaning service does not have modern technology, it will hardly be able to fully satisfy the entire range of customer requests. It will be especially difficult to adequately answer questions related to incomplete dust removal and insufficient drying of carpets after washing.

The "right" equipment allows you to do the job not only better, but also faster, with less labor. The time of removal of dry contaminants, washing and drying is reduced by an order of magnitude. And this means that it becomes possible to minimize the terms of order fulfillment, reducing the time of separation of customers from carpets that are very expensive for them, literally and figuratively, to the limit. nine0004

But if customers, for whom it is first of all important that carpet cleaning is carried out efficiently and quickly, how is this achieved, ? the tenth thing, if they are interested in using efficient equipment indirectly, then entrepreneurs are interested in it? the most direct. The use of modern technical devices allows, having increased competitiveness, to feel much more confident in the market.

The definition of "modern" in this case means that the equipment is not just new, but meets a whole range of requirements: safe, durable, reliable, high-performance, easy to maintain, maintainable, economical (especially in terms of energy consumption, which is very important, since dry cleaning and carpet washing is an extremely energy intensive process). nine0004

Machines for removing dust and sand from carpets

Dust ? one of the main enemies of both the carpets themselves (due to dust, paints fade, the quality of the pile is lost), and human health, therefore, an effective fight against it is one of the most important tasks solved in the process of carpet cleaning. In addition, a significant amount of sand can accumulate in carpets, which is not so easy to remove from places where it lurks. Home carpet cleaning using a conventional vacuum cleaner is not able to completely remove dust, especially from the depth of the pile. nine0004

Many people know the picture from the recent past? the owner of the house in sweatpants, with all his strength, beats with a special beater on a carpet hung on a rope or a horizontal pole. However, for someone it? not yesterday, but quite today. But certainly not for modern carpet maintenance technologies. Much more efficient, and absolutely safe for the carpet, special installations cope with this task. (Who said that “beating the carpet with rods” does not affect his “health” in any way?). nine0004

Is it big enough, ? in any case, they must be wider than the carpet being processed? and heavy vehicles. The mass of stationary installations that “knock out” carpets up to 2.5 m wide, as a rule, exceeds a ton. And if the width of the carpets is 4.5 m,? steps over the 2-ton mark.

The most important parameters, along with dimensions and weight, are two indicators of power ? motor (± 5 kW) and suction (usually 1200 to 4000 m 3 /h), as well as the capacity measured in square meters per hour. In fact, the performance of large machines capable of processing all types of carpets, including even very thin ones without the risk of damage, is considered in hundreds of square meters per hour. And this means that within sixty minutes, several dozen carpets measuring 2.5x5 m can be completely freed from dust.

To extract the dust more efficiently, the carpet is processed simultaneously from above and below. The operator sets the process parameters using the control panel. Some machines, taking into account their dimensions, are equipped with an additional remote control.

To speed up the work and minimize the labor costs of personnel, convenient loading of the carpet through a special tray and the presence of an automatic feeding system, the continuation of which is the option of twisting (winding into a roll) of the carpet in a special compartment, help. At the same time, the belt speed is constantly monitored. nine0004

The presence of a reverse allows you to repeat the process of removing dust on a specific area of ​​the carpet, if necessary. And to see that it has arisen, special lighting helps.

Brush behind the beater removes hair, fluff and fibers from the carpet.

To prevent the dust removed from the carpet from standing up, the units have a special compartment (accumulator tank) for collecting it and are equipped with options such as vacuum dust removal and air filtration. nine0004

When organizing the feeding and receiving of the carpet on one side of the installation, it can be attached close to the wall of the room, which saves scarce production space.

Companies providing cleaning services use light mobile equipment on wheels to knock out dust, plus or minus 50x50 cm in size. As a working tool, belts are used in it, causing frequent blows to the carpet. Obviously, the power-to-weight ratio and productivity of mobile equipment is significantly lower than that of stationary equipment. nine0004

Carpet washing. Carpet washing machines

As with dust knocking equipment, carpet washing machines can be fixed or portable. In the designation of the latter, when it comes to imported equipment, the word compact is often used. Compact units are used not only by companies whose main activity is cleaning (professional cleaning), including carpet cleaning at home, but also by small or beginners, and therefore with minimal technical equipment, companies that provide the cleaning service. export carpets. Large companies that have been successfully operating in the market for more than one year use mainly stationary equipment? automatic carpet washing machines. nine0004

A small digression: are carpets washed or washed?

In relation to textile materials, the verbs “wash” and “wash” are difficult to distinguish in meaning and are considered almost synonymous. But still, “almost” is indispensable here. "Wash" implies a more careful attitude. The child is being washed. Fragile dishes are washed. And they wash an expensive car too. Wash ? means to influence not only with water enriched with detergents, but also to expose not too delicate physical and mechanical influences in the form of friction and shock loads. i.e. laundry? in principle, the process is not the most delicate. Although the phrase "delicate wash" exists and applies to the operation of washing machines. By "delicacy" is meant, first of all, restrictions on water temperature, the time of exposure to detergents and the characteristics of their chemical composition. And also, reduced drum rotation speed and often no spin. nine0004

Carpets require a truly delicate attitude. This ? axiom. It is even closer to the truth to say that carpets need delicate handling "squared".

Although, those who happened to visit workshops where dirt-protective carpets are washed, could see how products from three meters long, ten or more pieces, without any delicacy, are manually thrown into the drums of industrial washing machines.

However, only non-woven carpets with minimum washing requirements can be washed in rotary drum washer-extractors. For such dry-cleaning objects as woven wall carpets or floor carpets made of wool, silk and other natural and artificial materials, such technologies are not applicable. Therefore, although you can often hear that carpets are washed, they, as a rule, are still washed. Therefore, it is more correct to call a carpet washing machine a carpet washing machine. nine0004

Since the woven carpet cannot be creased, it is neatly laid out horizontally and pulled over a rubber-covered surface. The carpet outlet can be smooth or equipped with rollers. (In addition to the broaching type installations, there are other carpet washing machines - console and portal type).

Washing water is supplied to the carpet under pressure from the nozzles. One, and in some models two built-in pumps, supply detergents from a special tank.

Mechanical action is carried out by rotating brushes that clean and wash the carpet. Their type and number may vary. Some units are equipped with one unit, some ? two sets of disc brushes. In addition to disk brushes, cylindrical brushes are used to pre-clean or wash the carpet. In total, from four to eighteen or even more brushes can be involved in the machine. nine0004

Carpet brush can move both clockwise and counterclockwise at 300 rpm or more. The presence of a special pneumatic system that regulates the pressure of the brushes on the surface of the carpet, depending on its thickness, eliminates the need for manual adjustment of this parameter.

An important part of a pull-type carpet washing machine? belt conveyor. It is equipped with an anti-slip option, has grippers for pulling the carpet, can move both forward and backward. The speed of the conveyor is maintained automatically, but if necessary, the operator has the opportunity to take control. nine0004

A number of important water-related options: a moving clean water rinsing system, a vacuum water removal system, and on some models a filter is installed to purify the recirculating water.

Modern carpet washing machines are controlled by an ergonomically designed touch control panel, fully automated or computerized. This allows you to program and control the consumption of electricity, detergents, water.

nine0002 Carpet washing installations are distinguished by high, often over 10 kW, power-to-weight ratio. Some models are capable of processing carpets over four meters wide.

Cleaning speed is measured in hundreds of m/h, and in large machines exceeds 300 m/h. This means that the average washing (washing) time of one carpet is measured in several minutes.

If the weight of the carpet does not exceed the maximum load weight of the equipment, the carpet can be cleaned in an organic solvent such as perchlorethylene or hydrocarbon solvent. The duration of such treatment is not great and is 10-20 minutes. Then there is spinning and drying. nine0004

Dehumidifiers

Contact of moisture with the carpet during washing or wet cleaning is certainly useful, but in all other situations? highly undesirable. Moisture in carpet? direct path for mold. Therefore, after washing the carpet, it is desirable to get rid of it as soon as possible. Also because to speed up the carpet way home.

Drying in natural conditions may take several days. Centrifuge ? a machine that uses centrifugal force to separate media, including separating liquid from a solid phase, rotating at a speed of 600-1400 rpm. compresses days into minutes. Withdrawn, thanks to the action of the centrifuge, the water is removed through special drain holes. nine0004

Automatic carpet wringer is equipped with an electronic control system. The duration of rotation and the number of revolutions are programmable. Safety sensors protect against uncontrolled vibration and overload. The air suspension (air bags) helps to reduce the impact of vibration. Pneumatics drives the lid locks and the braking system.

The carpet is placed in a spinner as a roll. In the process of rotation, it unfolds, repeating the shape of the drum, the diameter of which is several tens (30-80) centimeters. This saves the carpet from twisting, which could lead to dents, creases and other mechanical damage. The larger the diameter of the drum, the lower the speed of its rotation. The capacity of modern centrifuges for drying carpets is several hundred square meters or several dozen large-format carpets per hour. nine0004

The presence of an additional rinse function (in this case, a water atomizer is located in the centrifuge) saves time when processing carpets.

The operation of the centrifuge can be supplemented by a drying chamber, which maintains a temperature comfortable for carpets? no more than 50-60 C O . Not too high, but quite sufficient for complete 100% drying. The fan creates the necessary air flow, and the dehumidifier? optimum air humidity. Loading and unloading of carpets is automated. An important indicator of such equipment? Energy consumption. nine0004

Carpet finishing machines and other equipment

Usually, the combing machine, standing in the production line after the centrifuge, automatically performs high-quality laying of the pile of the carpet, setting the correct inclination of the piles. Such installations are highly productive, and within an hour they can easily make a hairstyle for fifty carpets.

Combing the pile of the carpet, as well as its vacuum cleaning, which ensures the removal of residues of small debris that “managed” to remain during the previous stages of processing or appeared as a result of it (for example, traces of reagents) is performed on the so-called. finishing tables. Finishing? because in the same place a clean carpet is being prepared for the road home? rolled, packaged and labelled. nine0004

If stains still remain on the carpet, they are treated with a stain remover and finally cleaned with an extractor ? a washing vacuum cleaner that sprays a cleaning solution on the surface and quickly removes it along with foam and dirt.

The finishing table must be of sufficient size to handle the largest carpets, equipped with mechanical brushes capable of working the carpet across the entire width and length, and exhaust ventilation.

Taking into account that Russian GOSTs standardize the permissible change in the size of carpets after dry cleaning, an important type of equipment is the measuring table, on which measurements are performed using electronic sensors with high accuracy and very quickly, literally in a few seconds. The table is equipped with a display that reflects information about the measurements taken, which is automatically archived in the database. nine0004

If a large number of carpets are handled, hangers are used which can be equipped with lifts. The length of such a hanger is several tens of meters, and the capacity is measured in hundreds of carpets.

Carpet cleaning production lines are made up of several units or are real machining centers that combine all functions in one unit.

The use of powerful machines enabled dry cleaning and carpet cleaning incl. rise to a new higher level. The advantages of mechanization, automation and computerization of the production process allow not only to achieve consistently high quality, but also to reduce the cost of work, making dry cleaning of carpets an increasingly attractive service for the general public. After all, how not try to beat the carpet by hand, compete with modern machine production? will not work.

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