Why Your Oriental Rugs Need Professional Cleaning

Perhaps it's a family heirloom, passed down from your grandmother. Maybe it's a silk oriental rug you bought on a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Or it's a wool masterpiece that you spent months searching for because it was the one piece that finally tied your whole home together. And now it is resting in your living room.

These types of rugs aren't simple "floor covering". They contain so much more in between their fibers: they are investments, works of art, and family histories.

Few things are worse than watching helplessly as a spill occurs on a light-colored carpet. Now, imagine that happening to your oriental rug. While this sole thought may be paralyzing, there is a correct approach to protect this beloved asset.

Today, we will discuss what makes oriental rugs so unique, why they shouldn't be treated the same way as standard carpet flooring, and why hiring the pros is the right choice to extend their life for generations to come.

The Big Problem: Beyond "Simple" Carpet Cleaning

What happens when a spill occurs on your carpet flooring? You immediately reach for the carpet cleaner products you have on hand and start scrubbing. This instinct could cost you thousands of dollars if you apply it to your oriental rug. 

Believing that rugs and carpets can be cleaned the same way is one of the worst (and often most expensive) misconceptions a homeowner can make.

Wall-to-wall carpet is typically synthetic (nylon or polyester), glued to a backing, and built to survive years of heavy foot traffic. These fibers can handle hot water extraction and vigorous scrubbing.

Your oriental rug, on the other hand, is likely hand-knotted from natural fibers such as wool or silk. Exposing your oriental rug's fibers to standard carpet-cleaning chemicals or equipment can cause irreversible damage (fading, dye bleeding, fiber shrinkage, and structural collapse).

What Makes Your Oriental Rug Different?

So, as we have stated before, you cannot treat an oriental rug like your standard carpet flooring. If so, what makes oriental rugs so unique? Well, there are three key components that make your rug a piece of art: the fibers, the dyes, and the construction.

1. The Fibers: Natural, Not Synthetic

The beauty and value of your rug begin with its natural fibers, which are typically wool or silk, rather than synthetic (plastic) fibers.

• Wool fibers: Incredibly durable, flame-resistant, and naturally good at hiding oil. But like human hair, it can be stripped of its natural oils (lanolin) if cleaned with harsh, high-pH detergents. Once that happens, the fibers become brittle, "felted", and matted.
• Silk fibers: They are even more delicate than wool. Silk is prized for its soft texture and beautiful sheen. High heat or harsh agitation will break these fine fibers, permanently dulling the rug and causing it to feel coarse.

2. The Dyes: Beautiful... and Vulnerable

Your rug's vivid reds, blues, and golds are part of its soul and its most valuable attribute. Many oriental rugs are colored with natural or vegetable dyes, which are less chemically stable than modern synthetic dyes.

• The Problem: When exposed to hot water or alkaline chemicals, these dyes can "reactivate" and begin to loosen and run. This is known as "dye bleed" or "crocking."
• The Result: While using hot, alkaline water can do wonders for your carpet flooring, the same does not apply to oriental rugs. A single cleaning with the wrong solution can turn a crisp white border into a pink haze, and this damage cannot be reversed.

3. The Construction: Hand-Knotted vs. Machine-Made

Authentic oriental rugs are hand-knotted and do not need a backing because the knots themselves provide structure. Meanwhile, a standard carpet (and machine-made rugs) needs a support to hold the fibers in place.

• The Problem: On-site cleaning can't properly rinse the rug. It's not only about forcing hot water and soap deep into the rug, but also pulling all of it back out and letting it dry for enough time.
• The Result: A "soapy soup" of detergent and dirty water left behind at the base of the fibers can attract new dirt, shortening your rug's lifespan. What's even worse is that, when this moisture gets trapped inside, it can lead to mold growth, ruining the oriental rug.

How Does Professional Cleaning for Oriental Rugs Work?

So, we have talked about why regular cleaning for carpets and artificial rugs does not work on genuine oriental rugs. We have also discussed what makes them different, from the dyes and natural fibers to the construction of the oriental rug itself. With all that in mind, you are probably wondering, “How should I get my oriental rug cleaned?” The solution lies in opting for professional deep cleaning, which we talk about next.

Step 1: Inspection and Delivery

Before any cleaning can begin, technicians will need to take a look at your oriental rug first. Then, they need to transport it to their facility, because, as we described earlier, it would not be possible to clean your oriental rug in situ properly.

Step 2: The Dusting

Now that your rug is in the facilities, the technicians can begin with the first part of the job: dusting all that embedded dry soil. Your oriental rug will be laid on a grid, and technicians will pass commercial-grade vacuums over it. Then, the rug is turned upside down and vacuumed again. This process creates a separation between the rug and the ground, causing the fibers to vibrate. After this is repeated multiple times, a final vacuum and sweep ensure there is no more soil embedded in between the fibers.

Step 3: The Cleaning

Now that all the surface dirt has been removed and the fibers have been agitated, it's time to start with the actual cleaning. First, we rinse your rug with cold water to prevent the fabric from shrinking. Then, we apply cleaning chemicals that include a special shampoo, stain removers, and more water. After that, we use a commercial-grade scrubber machine to help the cleaning solution get deep into the fibers and bond with any remaining contaminants. Depending on the materials of the oriental rug, the washing may be done by hand.

Step 4: Rinsing and Drying

After washing, the rug is rinsed repeatedly until the water runs completely clear. It's then placed in a climate-controlled drying room, where air movers and dehumidifiers ensure rapid, even drying to prevent mildew and dye movement. When complete, the rug looks, feels, and smells clean.

When Should You Have Your Rug Professionally Cleaned?

Many homeowners wait until visible stains appear, but by then, deep soil has already accumulated. Most rugs should be professionally cleaned every 12 to 18 months, depending on the frequency of foot traffic and placement.

If you notice dull colors, a stiff texture, or you don't remember the last time it was cleaned, it's time to call the pros. A professional inspection can confirm the proper method for your specific type of rug.