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Oriental rugs are manufactured with different fibers than synthetic carpets and are more costly than synthetic carpets. The natural fibers such as wool, cotton, silk etc are very different than polyester, olefin and nylon. The natural fibers are more fragile, react differently to water and chemicals, and have different dyes. For these reasons a much different process has to be used in cleaning them or over time if not immediately, they will begin to degenerate.

In most cleaning processes for regular synthetic carpets the use of high heat, high pressure, aggressive detergents, and acute agitation to render an effective cleaning. This is acceptable and optimal in cleaning synthetic carpets because the fibers are made to handle and respond to this type of cleaning. Area rugs on the other hand require the exact opposite if they are expected to last. Area rugs require low heat, low pressure, light detergents, and gentle agitation. If these tactics are ignored the Oriental rug begins to break down, colors may run, they may stay wet for over two days, or all of the above.

Typically these rugs should be cleaned “in-plant” where they can be thoroughly deep cleaned and dried quickly. If this option is either inconvenien

process to a lesser degree may be performed on site. An “on-site” cleaning is less effective, but may be acceptable as long as the correct process and chemicals are utilized. Because the use of more complex chemicals, length of time to wash, and the incorporation of drying equipment, you would expect area rug cleaning to be more expensive than standardized synthetic cleaning. Just as oriental rugs cost more to intricately manufacture per sq. ft. so to they cost more to intricately clean per sq. ft.

Area rugs are an excellent investment. For starters, if they are properly maintained they should last a lifetime because they are made to withstand time. They are also made to collect pollutants out of the air by acting as a natural filter in your home. In so doing they are a natural way of improving your air quality. These rugs are very dense and as such they can hold and hide dirt and pollutants deep down into the backing of the rug. They are typically manufactured in such away as to hide this dirt and grime in this way. For this reason an area rug may appear to be clean when really it is chalk full of dirt. Like a filter it will cease to take pollutants and dirt out of the air and be ineffective as regards air quality in your home. That makes it very important to have area rugs regularly professionally cleaned.

Why can’t I just vacuum ; why should I get a professional cleaner?

• Area rugs have the ability to hold more dirt than synthetic rugs since they are designed to do so with dense pile construction. This dirt works its way down to the backing of the rug and thus can be hidden and impossible to remove with a regular vacuum. This grit is agitated by traffic and wreaks havoc on the rug fibers. The carpet fibers are then damaged permanently and have a dull or dark appearance to them.
• Again owing to the dense pile, pollutants and oily soils hide in the deep part of the fibers making your area rug a haven to all kinds of germs, bacteria and dust mites.
• Have bad allergies? Your area rug filtering the air actually helps you a great deal with its ability to purify naturally you air. If however you do not professional remove the main culprits of allergies, dust mites, then it begins to work against you and you will have all year around allergies as the dust mites get trapped in your area rugs.
• Basically, a well maintained and professionally cleaned area rug will last forever, keep your air healthier, and is a natural filter making your home cleaner and less dusty.

Why does it cost more and what is the procedure?

It is precisely the procedure that makes area rug cleaning more expensive than synthetic carpet cleaning. Area rugs, in order to truly deep clean them, are given somewhat of a bath. This cleaning enables a thorough and complete cleaning. Let us proceed to a “tour” of the process then.

The Procedure

Step #1 Pre-Inspection.This first step is simply a pre-cleaning pre-inspection that involves checking the rug over for any pre-existing damages such as fraying and pointing it out to the customer. The most important aspect of this procedure is determining the kind of fiber or fibers the rug is constructed of and in what manner the rug is constructed. This critical information will be directly involved in chemical and method choice for cleaning later. In addition, we look for abrash-dye lot color variations, fiber staining, prior bleeding of dyes, worn areas or white knots. We then go over these details with you and the possibility of repair or reversal.

• Some examples of common types of “damage” that may be hidden by the soils but could appear after the rug is deep cleaned are abrash, shading, and pile wear.

Abrash--natural and variable change in color that occurs in an Oriental rug over time when different dyes are used.

White Knots—during the weaving process some strands snap and have to be spliced together, they appear in time as the plush begins to wear and these knots are no longer hidden.

Shading— this is part of the manufacturing process that occurs when different batches of fiber are used during construction as one batch runs

• These and other types of natural enigmas are looked for and explained as they are discovered either in house or in plant.

Step #2 Thorough Dusting. After the pre-inspection is over the rug is tagged, rolled and brought back to the plant. Once at the plant a second inspection is made and then the cleaning process begins with dusting. This dusting incorporates the use of a pile lifter with a beater bar that that gently but thorough beats out the dust and loose dirt out of the carpet from the very backing of the rug. A rug can “look” clean while holding as much as a pound of dirt per square foot. This dusting process “shakes” all the loose dirt out as much as possible. We go over the rug a few times with the pile lifter until no more dirt comes out.

Step #3 Water & Detergent Cleaning Dusting over, the rug is now ready for its “bath”. This consists of a test for color fastness followed by “the deep clean”.

• Using warm water with specific detergent determined by fiber species the rug is bathed in solution and gently scrubbed as soils are worked out.
• After this stage the rug is then pre-sprayed with a similar detergent solution but without as much water.
• We then do a thorough rinsing process with warm water again flushing everything out of the rug.
• At this point the rug is then inspected again. If spots and stain are still apparent the process is repeated with specific spot removal techniques and solutions. Then it is flushed again.
• The cotton fringes of the area rug are then cleaned and extracted as well as combed.
• Finally an acid rinse is applied that neutralizes all chemicals uses as well as adds brightness and enhancing the plush of the rug.

Step #4 Extraction Process The rug is thoroughly extracted with 850 CFM vacuum (home vacs generally operate at a maximum of 200 cfm) This step in the cleaning process efficiently removes all rinse water, soils and solution from the rug.

Step #5 Drying Process This is another extremely critical point in the drying process. Natural fibers such as wool are made to absorb rather than to repel water. They hold 30% more water than synthetic carpet. If these rugs are not dried in a quick effective manner they tend to brown, bleed and smell. With the combination of the heavy duty extraction method we also incorporate a “drying rack” in a drying room. The rack picks the rugs up high in a room with commercial grade dehumidification and lots of air flow cut the dry time down to hours rather than days. This enables us to offer great lead times as well as sustain the cleaning power of the rug.

Step #6 Post Cleaning Inspection Once the rug is dried we have one more inspection to make sure all stains that could be removed were, fringe is well cleaned, rug is dry etc. If it does not pass inspection steps 1-5 are repeated until it does pass. We then comb the rug standing the pile up and package it to be returned to you.

*** If the rug requires urine stain removal & deodorization, mold remediation, water restoration, or any other specialty service, there are additional charges with at least two additional steps for these specialty requirements. These additional steps combined with our cleaning procedure have a 90% success rate.

Conclusion

As you can see, the process is more involved and in many ways is the most thorough and complete system of cleaning possible. This process of cleaning keeps your life long investment in oriental and area rugs thoroughly maintained. In addition to never having to buy new expensive rugs, this cleaning keeps the natural most effective “filters” in your home fresh and clear. These rugs can then look awesome while cleaning your air quality providing a solidly healthy home for you, your children, and your pets!!

What if I do not want you to take the rug back for “in-plant” cleaning?

If it is not possible to give your rug an in-plant cleaning due to inconvenience or any reason that you may have, it is possible to clean your area rug in house by “steam cleaning” using warm water and mild detergents. This cleaning is ideal for synthetic wall to wall cleaning but not the best for area rugs. The backing of the rug will retain most of the dirt that is in it but the surface will clean well. We will also bring a High Speed Blower with us in an effort to make it dry a little quicker. Again, this method is not recommended since realistically you will not be getting your money’s worth as far as area rugs are concerned. I would highly recommend that you get the in-plant cleaning if you really want it clean and healthy!!

Care for and Preserve your fine furnishings and expensive investments against uninformed, uneducated and unscrupulous “cleaners” who are ruining your things with improper methods!! Call us at 800-750-2527 now and we will pick-up, clean, and return your rug before you knew it was gone

Upholstery Cleaning

Amazingly most owners of upholstery do not realize how soiled there furniture really is. Today’s furniture is manufactured to hide dirt, hence, furniture tends to be far more polluted then we think.

“It doesn’t look dirty”

If my furniture is dirty how come I do not see it?

The reason that furniture does not appear to be dirty is due to the fact that dust particles are microscopic. Just as we do not see all the pollutants and dust in the air we breathe so to we are unable to see the millions of dust particles collecting on your furniture. In addition, much of the dust and pollutants are small enough to slip through the upholstered fabric on furniture. Larger dust molecules collect on the seats and cushions themselves, these larger pieces are gritty and sharp. When you sit on the furniture the compression combined with human secreted oils makes a sticky residue that is almost impossible to remove with just simple vacuuming.

If these conditions persist unchecked over time these gritty, sticky pieces combined with the abrasive action of everyday use CUTS into the carpet fibers. This accounts for that dull look some furniture begins to get. Other signs of abrasion are heavy wear patterns and dark areas. At this point you notice that the furniture looks dirty, however the damage is many times permanent and cleaning will not always make it LOOK better. That is why it is important to regularly have your furniture professionally cleaned! Furniture is an expensive and timely investment that you will want to protect and avoid furniture from ever looking dirty. Remember, when your furniture begins to look dirty it is already starting to become too late!!

“So there’s some dust and dirt that I can’t remove by vacuuming, it still looks alright, what’s the big deal?”

Bacteria, dust mite and their fecal matter, germs and allergens will make their abode with your furniture. Dust mites and allergens are treated in another chronicle in much more detail see chronicle #5. Bacteria and germs feed and grow on soils that are not removed on a regular basis. “The byproduct of decaying living materials decomposing is a foul smell that characterizes furniture that has not been professionally cleaned regularly.”

Isn’t vacuuming on a regular basis enough?

Vacuuming on a regular basis is great; essential really. However, yearly professional cleaning is absolutely necessary. In fact, manufacture’s warranties require it for validation. Manufacturers know that by the use of colors, patterns and fibers dirt is hidden from view; hidden, but there. Hence warranties require regular professional steam cleaning to prevent wear and other permanent damage.

How often is a regular cleaning?

Typical in a home of 1-4 people with no pets once a year is sufficient, if you are a retired couple that only inhabits your home 6 months a year every 2-3 years will do. However, a family of 5 or more or if you have pets you will want to have a professional cleaning twice a year.

What exactly is “professional cleaning?”

A professional cleaning is a hot water extraction cleaning by an IICRC Certified Firm like New Dimension. We use a combination of detergents, surfactants, 240 degree hot water, specialty tools and professional techniques. We also use a truck mounted system that incorporates an extremely powerful vacuum lift of 850 CFM. Compare that to the best upright commercial vacuums most with a lift of less than 150 CFM.

Can I Just Spot Clean Myself?

Furniture spot cleaning is a great risk to try yourself. Due to the delicate nature of the fibers if you do not wet an area evenly, too wet, or use too high of an alkaline cleaner you may PERMANENTLY DAMAGE it.

Is it expensive to have furniture cleaned?

Protector is a product that forms a shield after cleaning that repels oil and water based stains, repels dry soil, and stands up against heavy use and frequent vacuuming. Protector enables regular vacuuming to be more effective as well as helps prevent spills, accidents, and stains from permanently changing fibbers colours.