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Routine rug cleaning is essential for extending the life of your area rugs and keeping your home healthy. Proper maintenance of your rugs helps preserve them for years to come. It also makes it easier for you to remove future stains with good fiber shield protection. Regardless of the quality or types of rugs, Simonian Rug Cleaners knows how to handle them all and quickly identifies your rug’s history to restore its soulful richness. 

If you have ever wondered what material your rug is made from, if it’s hand-woven, and how to properly clean it to ensure its longevity, we’ve got you covered! Here is an overview from our experts on the different types of rugs and how we clean them.

Machine-Made

Machine-made rugs are produced using high-powered looms with many needles. Because they can be made efficiently in mass quantities, they tend to be much more affordable than handmade rugs. They can be made out of various materials, including natural fibers like cotton and wool, but typically consist of synthetic fibers such as polypropylene, nylon, and polyester.

A benefit of machine-made rugs made of synthetic fibers is that they are durable and stain-resistant, so they are usually easy to clean. This makes them an excellent choice for homes with children and pets. It’s important to note, though, that while synthetic fibers don’t absorb liquids easily, it is harder to remove oil-based stains and odors.
To maintain these rugs, routinely vacuum them and spot clean stains when needed.

Tufted

Tufted rugs are a great option for those who want a handmade look without the expense. They are made using a tufting gun to shoot yarn through the fabric, leaving a loop of yarn that is fixed in place on the back using latex. The front loops are trimmed to a uniform length to create the pile. Tufted rugs can be made by hand or machine. They often consist of natural materials like wool or jute, so they are typically more expensive than machine-made synthetic rugs but less than hand-knotted ones. 

Cleaning tufted rugs can be challenging because of the latex backing. Moisture can create problems because of the glue that binds the latex on the back. If the rug gets too wet, the excess moisture will delaminate the backing and cause the rug to become misshapen or fall apart entirely. Depending on the condition, it is possible to repair rugs with this issue, but it can be expensive because it is pretty labor-intensive.

To clean tufted rugs, we use less water and do not clean the back. This limits how much we can flush out. Sometimes this is a problem if a rug has been soiled due to a pet accident because the glue can absorb some liquid, and the odor is difficult to eliminate.

Hand-made tufted rugs can also be restored by removing the old glue and adding fresh glue to maintain the original design. A true rug cleaning expert will help you identify the best method and find a solution that balances cost-effectiveness with the rug’s particular needs.

Hand-Woven And Hand-Knotted Rugs

The process of making hand-knotted (oriental) rugs is long and arduous. The method involves weaving and tying knots into a rug manually. It takes an incredible amount of time and skill, but the results are unique works of art and rugs that can last centuries if adequately cared for. However, these high-quality rugs cost much more than mass-produced rugs. 

Hand-knotted rugs are worth the price, though. They are built to withstand just about anything, they are often softer underfoot, and the designs usually contain vibrant colors. It’s important to know a bit about the background of these rugs before they are cleaned, though. Rug experts can help with identifying their origins, which helps to ensure they are correctly cleansed. 

Oriental rugs made within cities are typically of higher quality than those made in rural areas, which may have mistakes in their patterns. Also, village-made rugs are often over-dyed because villagers do not have the resources to rinse them. This causes unstable dyes that can run. Sometimes blues or reds can fade into grays or browns. We have special products that correct the dye if needed, and we know how to properly handle this type of rug.

There is another type of handmade rug: flat-woven. These are strung together sideways. These are easy to flush out and clean but must be handled appropriately by rug specialists so that they do not shrink and the colors do not bleed.

Are you wondering if your hand-woven rug’s dye bleeds? Take a damp towel with dish soap and try it on the back of the rug. If you see a lot of color in the towel, get help from rug-cleaning experts. They will know what to do and what special products to add.

Specialty Rugs

Due to material or style, some rugs are considered specialty rugs and require more attention. Shaggy and silk rugs belong in this category because they require many steps to clean and have very particular challenges. Shag rugs get very heavy when they absorb water; silk rugs, in particular, need a lot of grooming after cleaning. These types of rugs require a brushing mechanism to clean, which many carpet cleaners do not understand. We are experienced in cleaning this type of rug and will ensure it is properly cleaned.

Viscose rugs are also tricky. It’s a natural man-made fiber constructed from wood pulp. When it gets wet, it tends to fall apart. Many people are attracted to this type of rug because it is less expensive but has the appearance of silk. However, these rugs do not hold up well to cleaning.

Where To Get Your Rugs Cleaned

Restoring the natural balance of your rug is crucial in preserving its beauty for many years to come. Still, there are many challenges to be faced depending on the material and particular needs your rug has. Luckily, rug cleaning experts are passionate about the craft and know exactly what to do to preserve your rug’s history. 

To extend the life of your area rugs, it’s recommended to have them professionally cleaned at least every two years. Every process has its cycle; your rug has it too. And maintaining that cycle will restore its balance and preserve its legacy for many years to come. If you live in the Bay Area – San Mateo, San Francisco, Alameda, Marin, and Santa Clara counties, Simonian Rug Cleaners can take care of that service for you. We even offer pick-up and delivery!

For over 70 years, we have researched various types of rugs, materials, and cleaning methods to perfect our technique and give our customers the best possible results for cleaning their area rugs. We can also repair and restore all types of rugs to get them looking as good as new. 

It doesn’t matter what types of rugs you have at home; we know how to handle them. Get your quote today and schedule your rug cleaning.