Cleaning a Silk Rug
Silk rugs can often be breathtakingly beautiful and their soft fibers feel great under your bare feet. However, they are among the more delicate types of rugs and require regular maintenance. Placing them in areas where foot traffic is minimal and making sure they are not underneath heavy furniture are a few ways to preserve them. But inevitably, you will need to take extra precautions if you want to keep your rug looking and feeling its best.
With that in mind, here are a few silk rug cleaning tips you can follow to ensure a long and healthy life for your rug.
Tip #1. Vacuum your silk rug regularly in order to remove dust and debris.
Because these rugs are so thin and delicate, make sure to use a less powerful vacuum or use it on the lowest possible setting for the best results. It is also recommended that you gently sweep the rug with a broom on occasion, as well as shake the rug on occasion to get rid of any loose dust particles.
Tip #2. Remove stains as soon as possible so that they do not seep into the silk fibers.
You can remove solid spills easily enough by carefully scooping it up. Liquid spills are a bit more tricky: first, absorb as much liquid as possible by using a clean towel or cloth, then apply some mild soap and water for spot cleaning silk rugs.
Tip #3. To get rid of odors, wash your silk rug every few months or so.
Silk rug cleaning in a washing machine usually requires a low setting, but be sure to follow the washing instructions tag on the back of the rug to be sure. Another tip for periodic odor control is to sprinkle a light amount of baking soda, let it sit for about an hour or so, and then vacuum the rug at a low setting.
Tip #4. Get professional help from a reputable silk rug cleaner.
Silk rugs are susceptible to damage from heat and chemicals, which are pitfalls that an experienced rug expert can avoid. Many rug cleaners such as Bagdad Oriental Rugs follow an intensive silk rug cleaning process that goes above and beyond what normal cleaning can provide. Find out more about our process here.
Silk Rug Repair and Restoration
Your best means of repairing rug damage is to prevent it in the first place. This means making sure that you clean your silk rug on a regular basis in the manner described earlier. Not only does silk rug cleaning allow you to enjoy your rug, it also helps protect the fibers from rips, holes, and tears. Should you do that, then chances are that your rug will reward your care by staying stain and damage free for many years to come.
With that said, despite our best efforts rug damage will occur. In fact, if you own arug long enough, it is inevitable that a silk rug restoration will need to be performed. Among the more common types of silk rug repair are to the sides and ends, which are especially prone to fraying and unraveling. In addition, rug fringes can deteriorate and cause a ripple effect that leads to unraveling rug strands. Finally, another common problem are holes caused by rips, tears, pet and insect damage, or other factors.
If your rug damage cannot simply be “patched up,” then your best bet is to turn to the rug repair and rug restoration experts at Bagdad. Call us today to schedule your consultation!
