How To Clean Oriental Rug With Vinegar

Originating from China, India, and Iran, Oriental rugs feature hand-woven, unique, and intricate designs. There are known for their valuable elaborate look. They are often made with natural cotton or wool fibers. However, many are made up of silk or synthetic materials. They can most definitely add a lot of personality to a space.

A Persian rug is one of the most popular types. Oriental rug cleaning and maintenance require special attention and care to keep them looking as good as new. Read on – How To Clean Oriental Rug With Vinegar

Vinegar to the rescue

Over time dirt from the ground can damage the fibers of the rug. Mildews can develop as well if you do not clean it often. Besides, unsightly stains can ruin its beauty. So, knowing the right way to clean Oriental rug can make all the difference.

Thankfully, you can clean this rug effectively by using a simple pH-neutral detergent and vinegar solution. Here steps and tricks to clean Oriental rugs have been mentioned for your better understanding. So, do read on to know more about this.

Cleaning tools needed

It does not take too much time for Oriental rug cleaning. You would have to spare two hours for cleaning and up to seventy-two hours, including the drying process. The cleaning tools or items that you need are:

• Vacuum or straw bristle broom
• Soft brush or cloth
• Water bucket
• Liquid cleaner or detergent that is gentle, neutral pH
• Vinegar (white)
• Squeegee tool

How to clean Oriental rugs?

There are some easy steps that you need to follow to effectively and accurately clean Oriental rugs. They are as follows:

Removing dirt, dander, and debris

Dirt, dander, and debris can cause a lot of damage to the rug fibers over time. You should start the cleaning process by removing any kind of impurities from the rug first. The first thing you need to do is flip the rug over so that the backside is exposed to you.

Use a vacuum cleaner over the back surface. If yours has a beater bar on it then you can leave it down. But do make sure to set it high as it is going to agitate the surface of the rug and help to loosen any ingrained debris. Vacuum the whole backside of the rug as much as you need to remove as much excess dirt, dander, and debris as possible.

You can then move on to the top side of the rug. Retract the beater bar to prevent any kind of damage to the fibers. You need to move slowly over the surface. Make sure that you move in the direction of the fibers always. Take extra precautions when you are dealing with the edge to avoid damaging the fringes.

If you are concerned about your vacuum is too powerful, then opt for a straw bristle broom. First, shake it and gently beat the rug. You can then sweep it by using this kind of broom from one end to the other in the direction of the fiber.

Using a natural cleaning solution

Fill a water bucket with warm to cool water and add the liquid detergent and vinegar to make a cleaning solution. You need to test the solution on a small section of the rug first to ensure there is no color run or unwanted reaction.

You can use a cloth or a brush with a soft bristle to scoop up some of the mixture and subs to apply to the Oriental rug. You need to work in small 1 sq. foot sections at a time. Repeat the process if necessary.

Make sure that you move in the direction of the fiber always. Never use boiling water or any kind of harsh chemicals for Oriental rug cleaning.

Rinsing the rug

To remove the sudsy cleaner and loose dirt you should use a squeegee. Again you need to go in the direction of the fiber here too. You can use a light spray of water to rinse any excess detergent before going over the Oriental rug with the squeegee.

Lay some absorbent fabrics or dry white towels on the rug and gently walk over it to draw out excess moisture as much as possible. You should make sure that you do not saturate the rug as it can make the drying process more challenging.

Drying the rug

You need to thoroughly and quickly dry the rug out before putting it back at its usual spot. This step is crucial as if you fail to do this step properly then it will lead to the formation of bad odor and/or mildew. It can even cause it to rot and weaken the rug weave.

You need to dry the rug in an airy location. Keep it flat and rotate it. To speed up the drying process you can use a fan. If you keep it in direct sunlight then the weave pattern can fade. So, just keep the rug in a sunny spot for a day or so. If your Oriental rug is made up of wool then the drying process can take 2 to 3 days as wool happens to retain water.

How to remove stains from Oriental rugs?

Many times Oriental rug owners have to deal with greasy food, cat/dog urine, or other odorous and unsightly stains. In some warm water add ¼ cup of vinegar and a teaspoon of pH neutral detergent to make a solution.

For Oriental rug cleaning, you have to blot the stain of the rug and then apply the solution directly onto the affected area. Scrub the affected area carefully. Do not use too much force. Follow the same rinsing and drying process mentioned above.

How to clean the fringe of the rug?

Put down a rug, towel, or tarp to protect the floor first. Then use a soft and gentle brush to comb out the fringe to remove any dirt and debris. In a spray bottle make a mixture of 2 cups of water and ¼ cup of vinegar and spray down the fringe. The gentle acid will help loosen stains and neutralize odors.

Then you need to make a soap mixture using a couple of cups of water and 1 cup full of gentle pH cleaner. Gently scrub the fringe with this soap mixture and then rinse with water. Air-dry the rug and the Oriental rug cleaning process for the fringe will be done.

How To Clean Oriental Rug With Vinegar – Conclusion

There you have it; these were some simple yet effective Oriental rug cleaning processes with vinegar. With these cleaning tips and tricks, you do not need to rely on a professional. However, if you are unable to clean the rug properly or do not want to take any risk then you should consult with a professional rug or carpet cleaning company.