Renaissance Rug Cleaning Inc.
Open 9:30-5:30 M-F
Closed weekends
no appointment is needed
for drop-off & Pick-up,
Renaissance Your Rug!
503-963-8565
Area Rug Care Tips You Need To Know
Care is essential to maintaining your wool rugs' beauty and longevity. Here are some critical tips to keep your rugs looking great.
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Weekly vacuuming your rugs to lift dirt, dust mites, and debris and remove stubborn pet hairs that accumulate on the surface. Use your Vacuum cleaner at least once a week, more frequently in high-traffic areas. Vacuumes with a beater bar or rug beater bar brush help to open up fibers and remove more soiling.
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Act quickly to address spills on area rugs as soon as possible to prevent them from setting in. Blot the affected area with a clean cloth, absorbent cloth, and avoid rubbing or scrubbing, which may spread the stain. Use a gentle cleaner or vinegar and water solution for most stains.
If you are spot cleaning your rug on the floor, put a plastic drop cloth on the floor underneath the rug. To speed rug drying, you can use a hair dryer to speed drying a wet rug. Check our spot-cleaning guide.
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Have your rugs in-plant cleaned every 1-3 years, depending on usage and the manufacturer's recommendations. Professional cleaning can remove deep-seated dirt, bacteria, and allergens that cannot be removed by vacuuming or in-home cleaning alone. Natural fiber rugs and wool rugs need proper cleaning formulations and specialized cleaning. Dry cleaning and carpet cleaning foams fall short of getting rugs clean and often leave cleaning residues on rug fibers.
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To prevent uneven wear and fading, rotate your rugs every few months to a year and more often in high traffic areas. Avoid placing your rugs in direct sunlight as this can cause fading and damage to the fibers. Use blinds or curtains to protect your rugs from direct sunlight. Avoid Moisture: Keep your rugs away from moisture to prevent mold and mildew. Avoid placing them in damp areas, and use a dehumidifier to control humidity levels if necessary.
By following these basic tips, you can extend the life of your rugs and keep them looking beautiful for years to come.
Does Vacuuming Damage My Rug?
Vacuuming your area rugs is essential; it helps to remove soils that can build soils that work their way into the foundation. These embedded soils accelerate wear and deterioration, so vacuuming helps extend the life of your fine oriental rugs and extends times for a visit to a professional cleaning service .
That said, vacuums can damage your rugs too. For example, the rotating beater bar on an upright vacuum can suck the fringe ends of a carpet and rip them off. Care should be taken when vacuuming rugs to minimize the risk of damage to your rugs.
Antique carpets are often more susceptible due to heavy wear, damage, low pile, or already compromised areas can be further damaged with vacuuming.
Thin rugs like Kilims or old worn Persian rugs can be pulled into a beater bar-style vacuum, so they should be vacuumed with suction-only canister-style vacuum, and if small, they can be taken outside and gently shaken by hand.
If you want to vacuum your rug, take it outside on a nice day and vacuum the back very slowly with a beater bar-style vacuum. In the trade, we call this "dusting" a rug, and it's an essential prewashing step.
5 minutes of vacuuming this rug from the back yielded this nearly full dustpan of loose dry soil. It's this soil that settles into the foundation of oriental rugs that is destructive. routine vacuuming of your rug reduces the buildup of these soils and extends out cleaning intervals
Are Rental Rug Cleaners Good
Carpet cleaner rental can be a good option for some situations but there are some pros and cons to consider:
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Cost-Effective: Renting a cleaner is cheaper than hiring a professional rug cleaning service.
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Convenience: flexible scheduling; you decide when and where
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Immediate Results: You can clean your carpets on your schedule and see immediate results.
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Power and Effectiveness: Rental units are less powerful than professional-grade machines. The equipment made for rugs is not portable, which affects deep cleaning results.
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Learning Curve: There may be a learning curve to using the machine properly, which could impact effectiveness.
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Maintenance: Rental machines might need to be better maintained, leading to issues with functionality and cleanliness.
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Additional Costs: Some rugs have issues, such as color run dry rot or spills like rede wine that need specialized spotting.
When to Consider Professional Services:
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Deep Stains and Odors: The best way to clean a rug is a full wash, and professional cleaners are more effective in dealing with tough stains and odors.
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Large Areas: Cleaning large rugs is more manageable with a professional in a specialized workshop
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Delicate Rugs: Antique or delicate rugs may require specialized cleaning methods.
No single answer is right but before deciding to use a rental rug cleaner, it's essential to consider the condition of your rugs, the type of stains or dirt you're dealing with, and your cleaning capabilities and limitations.
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Our Service Area
Renaissance provides cleaning & repair services to the Portland metro area and beyond