How to Dry-Clean Oriental Rugs
Oriental rugs are typically expensive and colorful pieces of carpeting that feature ethnic designs. Over time, a buildup of dirt and debris will cause your rug to appear dull and dingy. Trapped in the fibers of the Oriental rug, you cannot simply remove the dirt by vacuuming and the rug will require a thorough cleaning. Many people choose to use water -- along with a cleaning product -- to clean their area rugs. However, using water can create excess moisture on the rug, which can cause a variety of problems including water stains and mold growth. Fortunately, you can dry-clean your Oriental rug with a waterless powder that will thoroughly clean and deodorize the rug. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Remove dust and dirt from the surface of the Oriental rug with your vacuum. Flip the rug over and vacuum the backside in the same manner. Place the rug back in its normal position with the top facing up.
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Sprinkle a fine layer of dry-cleaning powder over the Oriental rug. When applying the powder, it is better to use too much than not enough.
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Scrub the powder into the Oriental rug fibers with a scrub brush. Scrub in a back-and-forth motion. Alternatively, use a brush broom or attach an extension handle to the scrub brush so you can work the powder into the fiber without having to bend down.
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Continue scrubbing until you have worked the powder into the Oriental rug. Leave the dry-cleaning powder on the rug for 30 minutes to one hour.
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Use a vacuum to remove all traces of the dry-cleaning powder from the rug. Repeat the process whenever the Oriental rug becomes dirty and dingy.
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Tips & Warnings
You can make a homemade dry-cleaning powder by mixing 1 part baking soda and 1 part cornstarch in an airtight container. Add cloves or cinnamon and fragrant dried leaves to the mixture and stir thoroughly.
References
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
