Rug Care

We bought a circular rug for our little walk-in area in the master bedroom some months back. After using it for quite a while, last weekend DC decided that it was high time to wash and clean the rug, to free it from dust and dirt accumulation...

And so, he set off to work, put the rug in a tub of detergent water and left it there to soak, only to remember it today. There, the rug was still lying in the tub of dirty murky water and there was an unbearable smell akin to rubbish dump. DC tried to salvage it by washing it all over again with extra washing powder and detergent but such powderful combi did little to cover the bad smell. Sensing that it is in an irrevisible state, we had no choice but to give it up. We put it in it's original plastic bag and threw it down the chute.

DC seems a little displeased and hesitant to throw the rug away at first. When probed further, I realised that he thought the rug had cost us $109! Hoho..that explained why he was so anxious to save it from destruction. I didn't know where he got idea that it was expensive. When I tried telling him it was only $19, NOT $109, he wouldn't believe! So, we went on to find evidence to prove our own claim. He tried searching for past receipts but he had already thrown them away. Nope, he couldn't produce any valid proof. :P Me, on the other hand, surfed the Net, and tata.. look what I found! :)


Well, although the rug was gone, I did some research on the Net and found the following tips on Rug Care and Maintenance. Hopefully, it would not be as disastrous when we decide to clean our next rug in the future.

• Vacuum regularly and frequently.


• Flip rug and pat it down to shake loose dirt particles that have worked their way into the carpet's loops.


• Never use laundry detergent, automatic dishwasher detergent or any strong household cleaning products intended for use on woodwork, linoleum, laminate or tile.


• You should not dry clean your rugs, with the exception of silk rugs, and you should not use bleach.


• Natural fibers: May require additional consideration before cleaning. Do not use oxygen cleaners on wool or silk.
  Wool: Excessive agitation and heat should be avoided, but generally wool fibers may be cleaned with most cleaning methods. Wool should be cleaned with neutral detergents and dried quickly. Use special care around household cleaning products, as bleaches and other alkaline products such as bathroom cleaners easily damage wool.
  Cotton/Rayon: Cotton and rayon are cellulose fibers and may be cleaned using all cleaning methods. To avoid shrinking and possible browning, avoid excessive drying and agitation. As with wool, take care with alkaline products.
  Silk: Silk should be cleaned using a dry cleaning process. These fibers may be damaged by natural and synthetic acids (e.g. lemon juice), and sunlight. Consult a rug cleaning specialist for additional information about cleaning silk.
  Sisal and Other Plant Fibers: Plant fibers such as sisal, jute, coconut (coir), ramie and hemp have characteristics similar to cotton. It is generally safe to clean these fibers with all cleaning methods. As with any fiber, dry the area rug as quickly as possible.