Thoroughly and effectively cleaning your rug is essential to ensuring it lasts for years to come. Professional rug cleaning makes a difference in preserving the quality and beauty of your rug by providing a deeper clean and professional care. This process goes beyond surface cleaning and is tailored to the specific fabric type and weave of your rug. Regular professional rug cleaning can also extend the longevity of your rug and provide numerous other benefits. DIY rug cleaning may often be seen as an alternative but can actually be more detrimental than helpful. This article explores why professional rug cleaning makes a difference, what is included in the deep clean process, the advantages of regular professional care and some common misconceptions about DIY and professional rug cleaning.
Why Professional Rug Cleaning Makes a Difference
Professional rug cleaning makes a difference to remove embedded dirt and unwanted stains and to bring back a fresh appearance. An individual’s vacuum cleaner might get the surface dirt, but the deeper grime and soil in rugs remains untouched. Moreover, excess water use and the accumulation of soap left behind can damage rugs beyond repair. Professional rug cleaners, however, use dedicated rug cleaning machines and treatment solutions that are designed specifically for the safe and effective treatment of rugs.
In addition, specialized equipment is used to remove dirt from cushions and furniture. This cleans the fabric better and more thoroughly without leaving any traces behind. Furthermore, professional rug cleaners are skilled in identifying rug fibers, how the rug was made and what treatments it needs to get it back to the original condition. In contrast to a traditional vacuum cleaner, they can also determine the cause of the dirt and make an informed decision about the best treatment plan for the rug.
Similarly, rug cleaning professionals are equipped with a variety of treatments and chemicals that are best suited for specific fabrics. For instance, wool rugs require a gentler approach than those composed of synthetic materials. Consequently, professional rug cleaners use techniques and solutions that won’t cause harm to the fabrics, while also succeeding in removing dirt and staining. As a result, a professional rug cleaning makes a huge difference in the appearance of the rug, as well as extending its life by removing dirt, soap build up and wear.
The Deep Clean Process: Beyond Rug Surface Cleaning
The deep clean process is an important and necessary step beyond the surface cleaning of rugs. A deep clean is conducted to restore the original sheen, privacy, and dirt removal from the rug’s pile. Regularly and properly conducting deep clean cycles helps to extend the life and vibrancy of the fabric and colours of the rug. Therefore, it is essential to perform this activity on a regular basis.
On the other hand, it is important to be aware of the natural materials the rug is made from. Some chemicals used in the deep clean process may react with these materials, so always research the type of rug before selecting cleaning products. For instance, some wool rugs may be particularly sensitive to certain cleaning solutions. Similarly, some solutions that are perfectly safe for synthetic fibres can cause discolouration in natural fibres like jute or vegetable-dyed yarn.
Before commencing a deep clean, it is important to carry out a series of preparatory tasks. This includes vacuuming the rug, treating for stains, and pre-treating problem areas. In addition, lugging the rug outside the house is also highly recommended to achieve better results during the deep clean process.
Due to the delicate nature of the rug’s fabrics, it is vital to employ cleaners that are specifically designed to be safe and effective. A good cleaner should not leave a residue, nor should it damage the rug’s delicate weave. Additionally, it should be capable of removing deep-seated dirt and lifting grease and oily deposits. As a result, it is vital to purchase a quality product that has been tested, approved, and recommended by professional cleaners.
Once the deep clean process is completed, the entire rug must be thoroughly dried and well-ventilated to prevent any mould from occurring. It is also important to steer clear of belts or hinges to agitate the fibres while drying, as these can damage the rug. Lastly, use a commercial fan to speed up the drying process and avoid any kind of mildew or stagnation.
Prolonging the Life of Your Rug: Benefits of Regular Professional Care
Rugs are among the most versatile and aesthetically pleasing pieces of furniture for virtually any space. However, with the heavy wear and tear they incur from daily activities over time, their lifespan can be limited. Prolonging the life of your rug through regular professional care has a variety of benefits that can help you get the most out of your rug.
Firstly, routine professional upkeep and maintenance can identify issues such as pests, fraying, and colour fading, allowing for quick rectification. In addition, the timely corrections will save money in the long run as the cost of repairs becomes cheaper if caught early. Furthermore, expert care makes sure the proper cleaning materials are used so that the rug does not take on any extra harm while being serviced.
On the other hand, professional maintenance for your rug can not only diagnose existing repair issues but also help prevent them from occurring. Similarly, taking proper measures to protect the rug from daily activities, such as avoiding dragging heavy items on it and using a roller chair with rubber wheels, can go a long way in preserving your rug for years and maintaining its original look.
The service will also re-condition the rug fibers so that they remain aged and even better than when they were originally bought. Therefore, the regular services can keep the rug looking new and reduce potential wear and tear, to the extent that its lifespan can be doubled or even tripled.
Prolonging the life of your rug through expert care is also beneficial in terms of increasing its aesthetic value. Even if the rug only shows small signs of wear, expert services can lift up its appearance into the ‘like new’ condition to make sure the longevity of its look. As a result, it will not just reduce the chances of costly repairs but also improve its overall visual appeal.
Consequently, it is advised to take professional help for prolonging the life of your rug in both present and future so that you can enjoy the quality of the rug along with its visual beauty for a longer time.
Common Misconceptions about DIY vs. Professional Rug Cleaning
One of the biggest misconceptions about rug cleaning is that doing it yourself is always cheaper compared to a professional. However, it is important to consider the value of the time and energy that goes into a DIY project – not to mention the risk of damaging your rugs. Professional rug cleaners have the right equipment and training for deep and complete cleaning. Therefore, not only may the results of an inexperienced DIY cleaner be dissatisfactory, but it can also drastically reduce the life of your rug. Moreover, cleaning a rug without the right expertise can lead to costly mistakes.
In addition, many believe that rug cleaning is not necessary if they vacuum their carpets regularly. While regular vacuuming is important, this only removes surface dust and dirt. In contrast, professional rug cleaning involves a deeper, more thorough cleaning process that removes dirt and grit from deeper layers of a rug. This deep cleaning also helps to remove stains and other buildup, and adds to the longevity of the rug. Similarly, a professional can also help reduce mold and mildew build-up that often doesn’t show up until it is too late.
Finally, many do not realize that some professional rug cleaners will pick up and drop off the rug for no extra cost. As a result, aside from avoiding any potential damage and added costs, you can also avoid taking time out of your busy schedule. Furthermore, you will also have the peace of mind that comes with knowing the job was done correctly, and your rug has gotten the treatment it needs. Consequently, hiring a professional rug cleaner is an efficient, comprehensive, and cost-effective solution for your rug cleaning needs.
Final Thoughts
Professional rug cleaning makes a huge difference over DIY methods because they offer deep cleaning processes which are able to remove not only dirt, dust, allergens, and debris, but also hazardous materials such as mold and mildew, hair, and oil and grease. Professional cleaning services also use specialised equipment and experienced technician to ensure the best quality of service. Regular professional rug cleaning also helps to extend the lifetime of the rug, prevents premature wear and tear, and keeps a rug looking, feeling, and smelling fresh. It is also important to recognise that DIY rug cleaning is often not as thorough as professional services and does not provide long-term protection benefits for the rug.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I get my rugs professionally cleaned?
The frequency of professional rug cleaning will depend on the amount of traffic your rug endures. Generally, area rugs should be professionally cleaned at least once every year or two, but if your rug sees a lot of foot traffic, you may want to have it cleaned every six months.
What are the risks of DIY rug cleaning?
DIY rug cleaning carries many risks, including the following:
1. Poor cleaning results: Without proper equipment and cleaning techniques, it can be difficult to achieve the same results as a professional rug cleaning service.
2. Damage to the fibers: Incorrect technique or unsuitable cleaning products can damage the rug fibers, reducing its lifespan.
3. Mold and mildew growth: If the rug is not dried properly, mold and mildew may grow in the damp environment on the rug.
4. Color fading: The wrong cleaning products may contain harsh chemicals that can cause colors to fade or bleed.
5. Wasting water and energy: With DIY cleaning, it’s more difficult to measure the correct amount of water and energy for the cleaning process, resulting in a waste of resources.
Can professional cleaning restore the colors of my faded rug?
In some cases, yes, professional cleaning can restore the colors of a faded rug. However, it largely depends on the specific rug and age of the rug. Traditional and handmade rugs are typically dyed with vegetable dyes, which require an experienced professional cleaning team to be able to properly restore the colors. Newer rugs may fade over time but often the colors can be restored with professional cleaning, too.
Are the cleaning agents used in professional rug cleaning safe for pets and children?
Yes, professional rug cleaning agents are typically designed to be safe for pets and children. Many use eco-friendly ingredients and specialized technologies that are certified for use around the home. Before using any rug cleaning product, make sure to read the instructions on the label and follow all safety precautions.
