Oriental Carpet Cleaning

 Most people assume that carpet cleaning is carpet cleaning, and a person should either buy a machine to use or pick the name of a carpet cleaning company out of the phone book and have the carpet cleaned.  Either one of these methods is generally all right for most carpets, but oriental carpets are different.  They need to be cleaned in a more careful way than the standard carpet or rug, and whether to do this oneself or to hire someone to do it is something that each individual will need to decide for himself or herself.  There are advantages and disadvantages to both, of course.  If one cleans the oriental carpet himself there is no chance of having someone else be careless with it, but this does not mean that damage cannot occur.  On the other hand, if someone hires a company for oriental carpet cleaning that company will often have liability insurance which will allow for replacement or monetary compensation if the rug gets damaged but the homeowner might not be comfortable with a stranger handling a delicate rug that might be very expensive and/or have a great deal of sentimental value.

If one decides to clean an oriental rug on his or her own, however, one should read up on oriental carpet cleaning, because it does differ from standard carpet cleaning.  The rug should be taken outside and placed on a clean, flat surface after being vacuumed thoroughly on both sides.  The rug should then be shampooed with a mild liquid soap or a mild detergent because strong or ammonia-based detergents or chemicals can easily damage an oriental rug.  Using a long-haired, soft brush or a sponge that does not shed, the pile of the rug should be rubbed vigorously in a linear motion in the direction of the nap.  One should be careful, however, not to scrub overly hard, as this can damage the rug.  Once the brushing has been completed the rug must be rinsed thoroughly with clean, clear water and allowed to dry.  If after drying completely the rug nap feels stiff it can be brushed gently or vacuumed to loosen it up and make it softer again.  Naturally, one must be careful in undertaking this process and it is important to test a small area of the carpet for color-fastness before starting in on the cleaning process.

Many people either do not want to take the time to clean their oriental carpet themselves or they are too afraid of damaging it to attempt to clean it.  If this is the case, there are many companies a consumer can call that involve themselves in oriental carpet cleaning.  Companies that clean carpets, however, do not all clean and work with oriental rugs, so it is best to ask and confirm that oriental carpet cleaning is a service that the company offers.  Some companies will actually pick up oriental carpets, take them to their facility, clean them, and return them to the customer, which is extremely convenient.  For consumers that do not want to part with their rugs or do not feel comfortable allowing the company to take them, the oriental carpet cleaning can also be done in the person’s home or place of business but licensed and insured companies that will use only what the manufacturer recommends to clean the carpet.  Many companies are also switching over to cleaners that are safe and environmentally friendly, which is something else a consumer should enquire about when looking for an oriental carpet cleaning company.