Should You Vacuum an Oriental Rug?

Whether your oriental rug is a cherished heirloom or something you fell in love with while decorating your home, it is an investment piece that needs to be properly cared for. Knowing how to care for your rug helps it to last for many years. 

On top of arranging for regular professional oriental rug cleaning in Philadelphia, you can keep it in good condition with vacuuming. Following these simple steps will help you prevent damage to your rug as you vacuum up surface dirt.

Use the Right Type of Vacuum

For oriental rug cleaning, you don’t need to use a heavy-duty vacuum like you might to remove pet hair on regular carpet. Many vacuums with power heads contain rapidly moving brushes that could damage the delicate fibers. 

Instead, choose a gentle vacuum cleaner or use the upholstery attachment to minimize suction and abrasive movements as you clean.

Move the Vacuum In the Right Direction

When cleaning an oriental rug, pay attention to the direction that the fibers lay. This is called the pile, and it’s best to vacuum in the direction the fibers naturally fall to prevent roughing up the rug. Vacuuming from side to side can help you avoid disrupting the pile.

Use Caution With the Fringes

Accidentally sucking up the fringes with your vacuum is a common cause of a need for oriental rug repair. Although professionals can repair tears that occur, it’s always best to try to avoid causing damage. 

Once you reach the fringe, you can opt to use the hose attachment to avoid having the delicate strands get caught in the bristles. Or, you might choose to gently hand-brush the fringe to remove surface debris.

Make Sure to Vacuum the Back of the Rug

Dirt can often work its way to the underside of the rug through the top, especially if the carpet lacks a strong backing. Alternatively, rugs can get dirt underneath them when they move around. 

You can vacuum the back of the rug before you do the top to eliminate any dust that has accumulated on the part that touches the floor.

This is also a good time to examine each part of the rug to identify signs of wear. If you notice small tears or breaks in the weave, then planning for Oriental rug repair early helps to stop the problem from getting worse.

Rotate the Rug After Vacuuming to Reduce Wear

Most people walk along the same paths throughout their homes. One of the best things about using rugs over carpet is the ability to move them around to reduce wear in specific spots. 

After you finish vacuuming your rug and inspecting it for signs of damage, you’ll want to rotate it to a different direction to prevent premature wearing of the fibers.

Plan for Regular Professional Rug Cleaning with Zakian Rugs in Philadelphia, PA

Vacuuming is a great way to maintain the beauty of your rug. But, there comes a point when you’ll also want to arrange for professional Oriental rug cleaning in Philadelphia to remove stains and ground-in dirt. 

Contact us today to schedule a cleaning that keeps your beautiful rug in top condition.