Settling the Debate: Is it Really Possible to Restore the Color of a Rug?

Settling the Debate: Is it Really Possible to Restore the Color of a Rug?

A rug is more than just a piece of fabric, it’s an essential part of home design. The right rug can turn a cold and empty room into a cozy space. It can add a splash of color to otherwise boring decor, or a layer of texture to a room to make the room more inviting.

The unfortunate bit? Rugs don’t retain their sheen forever. Poor maintenance habits, improper cleaning, and  incorrect storage are known to all take a toll — leaving you with an   that starts looking dull and lifeless well before its time.

Wondering how to restore color in rugs? As one of the leading rug cleaners in Los Angeles, we’re in a prime position to help. In this guide, we’ll offer professional tips on reviving faded rugs and take you through some warning signs to look out for.

What Causes Carpet Discoloration?

Depending on the type of rug, and the material used in its manufacture, there could be multiple triggers for your faded rug. Here are some of the common culprits:

• Exposure to Sunlight

Direct and prolonged exposure to sunlight is a leading cause of faded rugs. Think about the impact direct sunlight has on the human skin when exposed for a few hours. Now imagine laying in the sun every day for years on end — you’d probably change color too!

In rooms with large windows, or skylights, exposure to sunlight — particularly harmful UV rays — accelerates the carpet discoloration.

• Improper Cleaning Products

Not everyone knows how to clean a rug. In fact, many DIY solutions recommend using harsh chemicals that end up stripping the color from a rug’s fibers.

Bleach-based or highly alkaline cleaners are particularly damaging, especially for the fibers in antique carpets. To prevent such a situation, we recommend sending your rug in for professional vs DIY cleaning at regular intervals.

• In-home dry cleaning

While cleaning is essential In-home cleaning method tends to leave soap residue inside the rugs that adds up accelerating the fading process and can cause dies to bleed.

• Spills and Stains

Staining from food and drink, such as wine or coffee, has a tendency to discolor fibers if not cleaned quickly. Even after a regular spot clean, you may struggle to completely remove the residue, which attracts more dirt, and worsens the appearance over time. The only real solution here is opting for a professional rug cleaning.

• Age and Wear

Even with the best care, rugs will naturally fade with age. Constant friction can gradually erode surface fibers and mute the rug’s original colors. Similarly, storing rugs in damp, poorly ventilated areas can cause mold or mildew, which leads to further discoloration. A moth damaged rug left in a humid space may also change in color due to the high moisture and dust accumulation. Regular cleaning helps maintain the rug and brings out the natural colors. This is the most effective method for the color correction as you are enjoying your rug.

Can You Bring the Color Back?

Which brings us to the most crucial question: Can it be fixed?

As one of the leading providers of rug cleaning in Los Angeles, we can assure you that the answer is yes. Our team knows exactly how to refresh a carpet — no matter the extent of discoloration, the material used, and the cause of fading. From antique rug color correction to deep cleans, here’s how a professional deals with fading rugs:

Understanding Professional Rug Color Restoration

Most professional solutions begin with a deep clean. And we know what you’re thinking — but, no, what you do at home is not the same.
A professional inspection and deep clean is a comprehensive, time-consuming, and pain-staking process that attacks the problem at its root.

The team will first conduct a thorough analysis of your carpet — when it was made, what materials it uses, and the extent of the damage.

They will then decide whether a deep clean will suffice, or if you need more comprehensive carpet color restoration.

Here are some options you may be recommended for your color carpets:

Color Touch-Up

If the carpet discoloration is limited to only one section, a professional may apply specialized dye to that part using a syringe, or a similar precision instrument. This allows them to match the original hues of the faded rug, without altering its overall appearance. It’s also an appropriate solution for discoloration caused by minor spills, or damage from cleaning solutions.

Full Re-Dyeing

In case the issue is more extensive than that, the entire faded rug may need to be re-dyed. In this case, the professional will carefully spray your rug with its original colors, making sure to match the original pattern and style as closely as possible.

This is a challenging task as there’s immense scope for things to go wrong. So, ideally, we recommend not trying to fix extensive carpet discoloration on your own.

Color Correction and Restoration

When a rug suffers from uneven fading it’s time to bring out the big guns. An oriental rug color correction, for instance, is a highly recommended solution for restoring carpets with intricate patterns or vintage materials and dyes.

A professional will blend together various dyes until they’ve discovered a shade that perfectly matches the rug. They will then apply just the right amount of color to restore uniformity across its surface while preserving its original charm.

You should never try to restore an original carpet’s color on your own — or in fact, with any professional service that doesn’t offer color correction services. You could end up causing more carpet discoloration, which may prove impossible to fix.

To make the choice easier, don’t forget, Thomas Rug Cleaning offers rug pickup and delivery services — so you never have to leave home.