Caring For Oriental and Persian Rugs

If you own or are considering purchasing an oriental or persian rugs, the first thing to know is they require attention and care to remain vibrant and healthy.  The safest way to ensure longevity in your rug is through proper vacuuming.  This process should occur once a week, bare minimum.  Any less and damage slowly sets in to shred and unravel your rug.

Across the United States, homeowners drag in sand, clay, limestone, and gypsum traces to their carpets; these abrasive soils destroy the rug’s fibers and shorten its life exponentially.  Other soils, found in the air stemming from: heating systems, stoves, and similar appliances, mix and mingle with other particles burrowing deep into the rug.  As you walk, you grind these harsh materials into the meshwork of your rug creating an abrasion, cutting the fibers and seams which leads to unraveling.  These elements also dull and diminish your rug’s color.

The only way to clean your Oriental, Persian, or low pile rug is with a strong vacuum cleaner with a power nozzle.  The rotating brush agitates the debris deep down in the fibers and the suction pulls the dirt away.  Brooms damage the surface.  Carpet beaters destroy the foundation.  Air driven nozzles remove the top dirt layer alone; the abrasive elements remain hidden in the depths.  To truly rid your rug of destructive dirt, a canister vacuum with power nozzle, or an upright with a rotating beater brush is the only way. It is not recommended to use a power nozzle on on old or antique rugs that are woven with a low pile as this could cause damage to the rug.  You will want to use a a non motorized floor tool on low pile rugs to preserve their integrity.

For superior cleaning of your Oriental rug, turn the rug upside down and vacuum the underside to release ground-in dirt; this process will dislodge any debris your power head may miss due to repetitive foot traffic across the fibers.  Proper care and a power nozzle with strong suction will guarantee your rug’s long life.  Consider this: would you rather spend a few more dollars for a premium vacuum or the pretty penny for a new rug because the dirt wore away at the fibers?  An oriental rug is an investment; insure, protect, and preserve your oriental rug through proper cleaning methods and the right tools for the job.