Removing Stains from Oriental Rugs

Oriental rugs are a great investment, but they do require occasional care. Spills, stains and dirt are best avoided, but they are also unavoidable because accidents do happen. Authentic oriental rugs are actually easier to clean and maintain than their synthetic counterparts, and a little attention goes a long way toward keeping your keepsake beautiful for generations.

When spills do happen, you need to address them right away, so keeping stain removal kit on-hand is a great precaution, so that in the event of a spill, you are ready with the tools you’ll need. The great news is that you can assemble your own kit from household items that you may already have.  Your stain removal kit should contain a white cloth, a sponge, an eye dropper to apply small amounts of cleaning agent, dry cleaning fluid, an amonia solution for acidic stains (such as juice), a smal amount of white vinegar for alkaline stains, and some oil-free nail polish remover.

Before applying any of the stain removers, you should test them on the material you intend to clean in an inconspicuous spot, such as underneath or on the edge of the carpet. Never rub a stain! Instead, dab the stain to remove it, If you are uncertain what will work best, start with the simplest stain remover, water.

Always blot your stained area dry before switching to another solution. Take your time, and dry the spot quickly with a hair dryer set on its lowest temperature setting. If you are ever uncertain, give Mike Kishline at The Rug Gallery of Newburgh a call, and he’ll be able to suggest an approach that should work for you.