Persian rugs are indeed a thing of beauty. Cleaning Persian rugs the right way ensures that they can be a joy forever in your home and occupy the pride of the place.
But, how do you clean a Persian rug without damaging it?
While the internet is full of DIY hacks for cleaning a Persian rug, do not consider doing it at home. Persian rug cleaning is an art. You will be doing your conversation piece a major disservice by cleaning a Persian rug at home.
Here’s why you should not attempt cleaning a Persian rug without professional help:
1. DIY Cleaning Methods are Insufficient
Why?
The answer lies in the anatomy of Persian rugs.
Persian rugs are typically made from wool, silk, or cotton, and handwoven using traditional knotting techniques. Cotton is used for foundational warps and wefts. What many people do not realize is that the raw materials used in making these rugs are notorious for trapping dirt, dust, and debris.
In fact, most Persian rugs made from wool tend to accumulate pet dander and other allergens. These settle in the deep recesses of the woven material and are not easily visible to the naked eye. So, even if your rug appears spotless, you may still require rug cleaning for allergy relief.
Regular vacuuming is only effective in removing the surface-level debris. It cannot and does not remove the dirt trapped within the layers of your Persian rug.
Only professional Persian rug cleaning, every one to three years, can ensure it is squeaky clean.
How about handwashing them?
Persian rug handwashing to remove stains can cause irreparable damage. The common (and often the most recommended) cleaning agents — detergents, dish soap, water-vinegar solution, or bleach can damage the fragile fiber of the rug’s natural materials and dyes.
You may notice color bleeding, fading, or even discoloration.
The same is true of steam cleaning. Regular steam cleaners are too harsh for a Persian rug’s delicate fibers. Exposure to extreme heat and moisture can weaken and fray wool and silk. It’s this susceptibility to heat that makes leaving them out in the sun also dangerous.
In short, cleaning Persian rugs at home is inefficient and damaging. Proper Persian rug cleaning requires experience and expertise that only professionals can provide.
2. Abrasive Scrubbing Causes Irreversible Damage
Traditional Persian rugs are handmade and extremely delicate. While the anatomy remains unchanged, each rug is unique. Weaving styles, artwork, motifs, and colors are specific to the region of their origin. Therefore, each one has different vulnerabilities.
You may not be fully aware of how to clean Persian carpets without inflicting damage.
Manual Persian rug washing may involve instinctive scrubbing with brushes or scrubbers. The more you scrub to remove stains and dirt, the more you damage its internal structure and integrity. Over time, repeated Persian rug handwashing weakens it beyond repair.
So, repeatedly cleaning Persian rugs by hand leads to extensive wear and tear. Instead of lasting for multiple decades, it lasts for just a few. Worse, the rug loses its aesthetic appeal — the one thing that makes it unique in the first place.
3. Improper Drying Causes Water Damage
Because Persian rugs are made of wool, silk, or a combination of both, they quickly absorb significant quantities of water. When Persian rug handwashing is not followed by proper drying, the fibers can trap moisture.
You wouldn’t be able to tell, but a damp rug is the breeding ground of mold and mildew. The moisture can even intermix with dust to create “mud” that makes your Persian rug dirtier than it was before washing.
Moldy odors and shabbiness aside, hanging your Persian rug to dry can distort its shape.
So, improper drying can harm your precious rug in more ways than one.
4. Cleaning The Fringes is Effort Intensive
Persian rug fringe cleaning is fairly technical in nature. While authentic Persian rugs have fringes that are extensions of the carpet’s handwoven body, cleaning them the right way involves gentle dabbing from base to tip. Even if you think you know how to clean Persian rug, the fringes can prove to be a challenge.
Otherwise, you risk the fringes fraying, turning yellow, unraveling, and more.
Before attempting Persian rug handwashing, ask yourself if you’re up for the challenge and if it is worth jeopardizing your treasured possession.
Still wondering is professional rug cleaning worth it? Find out the truth.
How to Clean Persian Rugs The Correct Way
Cleaning a Persian rug is an integral part of its maintenance. You cannot skip it. Therefore, the best and the safest way of Persian rug cleaning involves taking help from professional Los Angeles rug cleaners.
Thomas Rug Cleaning has been in the business since the early 1920s and specializes in holistic rug care. Cleaning, repairing, and stretching antique Persian rugs is our specialty. We believe every rug is a piece of art that must be handled with extreme care and caution.
Therefore, our Persian rug washing and restoration is centered around an eco-friendly rug cleaning process. We use non-toxic and biodegradable products that gently but effectively remove trapped dirt, dust, and stains. Our process is backed by years of expertise.
We know how to clean a Persian rug such that:
- All the allergens, bacteria, and dust mites are removed, ensuring you and your family do not develop allergies or respiratory problems
- The rugs smell pleasantly fresh and there are no traces of mustiness
- Stains caused by accidental spills, pets, or heavy usage in high foot traffic areas are removed without harming the rug
- The quality of the rug is never compromised — it feels soft to touch, the colors look vibrant, and the motifs stay sharp
- The beauty and structural integrity of the rug is maintained
If you have a precious Persian rug lying around in your home, or adorning your living room, hand it over to us for a clean makeover. All you need to do is schedule a pick up. We also provide rug pickup and delivery at doorstep for your convenience.
Reach out to us if you’re scouting rug cleaning in Los Angeles. We will take care of the rest.
