How to Vacuum Your Oriental and Area Rugs

The number one thing you can do to keep your Oriental and area rugs looking like new is to vacuum them regularly.  According to Greg Henderson, Manager of A Cleaner World’s Rug Cleaning Services Division, you cannot vacuum your rug too often.  In fact, vacuuming your rugs too infrequently causes dirt and grit to become embedded in the fibers, and that results in fiber abrasion and color loss.  Here’s how Greg recommends you go about caring for your Oriental and area rugs:

• If you plan on dusting furniture, blinds and woodwork, do so before vacuuming.  This gives the vacuum cleaner the opportunity to pick up any dust that has fallen.
• Next, flip your rug over and vacuum the back, which will help loosen embedded soil.  Once that’s done, flip it back over and vacuum the front.  If your rug is exceptionally soiled, vacuum in one direction and then make a quarter turn and vacuum the opposite direction.
• Third, take care not to rush vacuuming.  Slower movements give the cleaner more time to remove dirt and debris.
• To clean the fringe, lift the edges of the rug up to clean underneath, and then let it fall back gently.  Never vacuum your rug’s fringe.  Doing so will cause it to become twisted and tangled and could cause permanent damage.
• Be sure to vacuum your rugs at least once a week and more often if they are placed in high-traffic areas or if you have indoor pets.
• Finally, have your rugs professionally cleaned at least every 12-18 months and more often if you have indoor pets.

One last tip – change your vacuum’s bag or empty the drum when it is 1/2 – 2/3 full.  Vacuuming with a full bag or drum reduces your vacuum cleaner's suction power.  For additional rug care and rug cleaning tips, check out the list to the right.  If there is a topic you need more information on, feel free to contact us.