Tips on Cleaning a Silk Rug

Silk Carpets and rugs as you may know are extremely delicate and can be somewhat challenging when it comes to cleaning up any spills and stains. Unlike most carpets and rugs where you can just grab some stain removal products, apply and remove the stain in a few minuets, silk carpets and rugs will almost definitely require a lot more time and preparation.

The first thing you need to ensure is that the process itself isn't going to damage the material. Although the tensile strength is actually very high due to being made from organic materials it leaves it highly susceptible to some cleaning products that may be fine on synthetic carpets.

Normally the best way to clean a silk rug would be to contact a professional carpet cleaner this is advised especially if the rug is very old or a family heirloom. The smallest mistake can cause a life changing amount of damage.

Silk Carpets and Rug Cleaning Method

Even today carpet cleaning technicians are still discovering new and improved ways to clean silk rugs and carpets, preparing the rug or carpet will involve the current state of the carpet fibers, a regular vacuuming will help to keep dry soiling from embedding itself deep into the carpet fibers, this is what will cause the fibers over time to rip and fray apart.

However if the rug has a fringe to it refrain from vacuuming this area as is may pull them out and ruin their texture. Cleaning the area will only be necessary when there is a large build up of soiling, you can usually tell when a clean is needed as the soiling will begin to affect the look and feel of the area. Another way to asses if a clean is needed is if a rug pick it up and beat it slightly, if a cloud of dust is released it means it is time for a clean.

Silk Carpets Stain Removal

Dry stains should be removed without using any liquid if possible, where as wet stains should be blotted up NOT RUBBED as this can cause color run, damage of fibers and spreading of the stain. Lukewarm water should be used not hot as hot water can cause shrinkage and breakdown to the fibers.

It is very rare to be able to use any cleaning products on silk rugs so using eco friendly or natural products would be the best treatment, although contacting a professional cleaning company would still be the safest option. Professional carpet and rug specialists will eliminate any guesswork as they would have undergone all the necessary training, and have full understanding of these delicate materials.

Cleaning your silk rugs isn't just about getting a clean result it is about expanding your rugs lifespan and ensuring you get the longest possible life from your rugs and carpets.

Here's a safe way to remove stains:

1. Firstly using soft brushes you can gently remove any dried on dirt particles making them easier to pick up.
2. The vacuum the area thoroughly
3. Once this is complete you can apply some club soda to remove color from the stain. Pour the club soda onto a clean cloth and blot the stain. Use a dry cloth to absorb any excess club soda. Allow the area to air dry. Do not use heat, such as a hair dryer, to dry the area because heat may damage a silk rug.
4. Then apply a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water to remove stains. Pour the vinegar and water solution on a clean cloth and blot the stain DO NOT RUB. Use a dry cloth to absorb the excess solution and allow the area to air dry. Do not use any heat to dry the area it's best to allow the area to dry naturally.

How to Remove Carpets Odours

Sometimes odors cannot be smelt by the people living in the household but when you have guests over they can sometimes notice these odors. Households with pets can particularly be subject to nasty odors, hers a procedure to help remove these odors.

Procedure 1:

1. Firstly Sprinkle some baking soda onto the area that is affected (usually where the pet likes to spend a lot of time).
2. Allow the baking soda to absorb for about 1 hour.
3. Vacuum the rug using a brushless suction head of a vacuum cleaner.

Procedure 2:

Using a vinegar and water solution to eliminate odors from silk rugs. The slight acidity of vinegar makes it effective in removing odors and germs.

1. Mix equal parts of water and vinegar into a spray bottle, this makes it easier to apply the solution
2. Lightly mist the area being treated with the vinegar and water solution.
3. Wipe over the area gently with a clean, dry cloth and then leave to dry

This method can leave the household smelling of vinegar, but after airing the area out for a few hours it should fade and be unnoticeable.

The drying process is as equally important as the cleaning process, if the area isn't dried completely you face the risk of mould or mildew setting. Silk rugs can also be at risk of browning. This is caused when left over water rises to the tips of the fibres before evaporating leaving a dark brown residue from made up of lignin and other materials that were dissolved into the water, also dye bleeding is another risk if the drying process isn't complete.

 

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