Rug cleaning without your vacuum

Need to clean your rug but your vacuum broke? These are some simple but effective solutions that you can try. Just keep in mind these are temporary solutions and shouldn’t be used for the long term. The following items may help you if you’re in a bind.

If you have a broom or brush at hand you can sweep your rug. Natural straw bristles are better to use than plastic. The plastics fibers may stick to your rug fiber. Using barroom will also help collect hair and fur strands.

The first step is to wet the broom bristles to prevent too much dust from becoming airborne. Also a bit of dampness may pick up more dust particles. Start at one end of the rug in the direction of the rug pile. Sweep the dirt and hair into a small pile. Repeat if necessary just be mindful of how much fibers you may be removing.

Another alternative is to use a damp cloth. Have a bucket handy with warm soapy water. Wet the cloth and wring it. Use a sweeping motion to gently go over the rug area. Start in one corner and sweep in the direction of the pile. Keep in mind that the goal is to dampen your rug and not to use excess water. Using too much water will prevent the rug for drying properly. You could end up with other problems such as mold.

Lastly, you may want to consider sending your rug out to be cleaned. When was the last time your rug was cleaned? If it’s more than a rug you should consider sending your rug out to be cleaned by a professional rug cleaning company. It may be worth your while.

Finding the best rug for your workspace

Rugs are great to have in your office space or study area. For these environments it may be nice to have a wall to wall carpet. It can reduce noise distraction and echoes. Thin or medium thick rugs are ideal for places with heavy foot traffic. Less dirt will get trapped in the rug and plush may be hard to walk on.

Furniture will be in place and it will be necessary to protect your rug with an underpad that will reduce mechanical pressure. Antibacterial pads are available to hinder any bacterial activity. It is also a good idea to get chair mats to protect the rug from furniture or chair movements. These items are long plastic sheets that are placed where the chairs will be. Additionally, they will allow easier movement for chairs with wheels.

Synthetic material rugs are idea for an office or study space. They take in less dirt and stains and are essentially easier to clean. Additionally, less rug fibers will be airborne and it won’t allow allergy irritations.

It is good to get the office or study rug professionally cleaned once a year. This will take out allergens such as dust mites out of your rug. This cleaning is more thorough then just cleaning with a portable machine. Also if there are stains such as coffee the rug cleaning experts will get it out without damaging your rug in the process. It also makes for a nicer office or study space while work is being done.

The best rug to have when you have allergies

Allergies are a hindrance but are manageable. Having the right rug can help you manage your symptoms. They key is to get a rug with the right features and take care with keeping it clean.

Short pile won’t retain as much dirt or as many dust mites. In addition, pet hair and dander won’t be deeply embedded into your rug. Synthetic material is good as it produces less airborne rug fibers into the air and it can be easily washed. Wool rugs can cause allergy irritation because of its pile. It’s also good to keep in mind that some people are allergic to wool.

Properly maintaining your rug can eliminate allergy symptoms all together. It is important to vacuum rugs weekly. Vacuuming more often is effective when there’s foot traffic where the rug is located. It is also good to use a hose extension or nozzle to vacuum hard to reach areas such as under furniture. Using the brush roll setting on your machine can eliminate hair and dander. Take care that the brush height is adjusted so that you don’t damage the rug pile.

Rugs should be cleaned at least once a year. Choose a facility that does deep rug cleaning Toronto and uses eco-friendly detergents. Harsh products can cause allergies to act up. If your rug is in a high foot traffic area it you may be required to wash your rugs twice a year.    

Properly Maintaining Your Rug

Rug maintenance is easy when you know the basic details. The primary tools are vacuuming and stain care. Although it is good to keep in mind that rugs should be professionally cleaned annually.
When vacuuming, it is good to consider the materials and thickness of your rug. Many vacuums come with adjustable height brush roll.

Generally the thicker the smaller the brush roll height.  This will prevent pulling of the rug fibers and damaging the pile. With shorter pile, it is better to use a brush roll with a larger height. There is less mechanical damage on the rug fibers and it will clean out dirt. In addition, it is good to start in one area and slowly go over the rug several times. This will help clean out more dirt.  Then it will be fine to move on to another section.

The other thing to consider is rug material. With natural or delicate rug pile, a medium brush roll height should be used or no brush roll at all. Primarily, vacuum the rug slowly in sections. If possible find a vacuum that has softer less stiff bristles. This will prevent mechanical damage and stop the rug fibers from thinning. For especially fine delicate rugs a third option is to have the rug shaken outside and not vacuumed at all. It depends on the quality and age of the rug.

Vacuuming should be done weekly and it is important to use a wand component to reach under furniture.

Overview of Rug dyes

Dyes used in making rugs fall into two general categories: natural or synthetic. “Organic” is a misleading term that often comes up and merely indicates that the dye is carbon based. It doesn’t necessarily mean that the dye is natural. To keep your rugs from fading it is best to have your rugs cleaned by a professional rug cleaning service.

Natural dyes come from a variety of sources found in nature. These include: tea, flowers, madder root, cochineal (insect) and coffee just to name a few.  These ingredients have been used in traditional methods and practices over time. The methods have been tried and true and are still present with rug making.

If you get a rug made with natural dye, it may be more expensive. Using natural dyes is a time consuming process. Ingredients must be gathered, dried and ground. The solutions must be steeped at the right temperature and dyeing the carpet fibers sometimes requires a few repetitions. Additionally, it is necessary to fix the dye to prevent bleeding, fading and discoloration.

It is possible to tell if a rug is naturally dyed by analyzing the carpet fibers. Natural dyes are less absorbed into the fibers and allow some transparency. On a positive note the fibers resist fading and bleeding. Overall you get a beautiful coloration

in your rug.

Synthetic dyes have come more into the rug making practice in the last century. Most dyes are chemically made not harmful. They are able to penetrate deep into rug fibers and generally wear well overtime. However, there is variation in the quality of the rug. If cheaply made, the dyes may bleed or fade. Some poorly made rugs even have dyes that were “painted” on to the rug fibers. This is why it is best to find a reputable rug dealer when buying a rug.

The rug appraisal process

Rug appraisal is where the value of your rug is determined. It also includes assessing carpets, tapestries and swags. Each rug tells a story whether it was handmade or made by machine. The materials it’s made up of are the starting point in determining its value.

Common materials used in rug making are: wool, banana silk, synthetics, cotton and bamboo silk. Silk is usually a more expensive material.

Patterns in the rug can determine how much time was put into the rug and which area it most likely originated from. Additionally, the number of colours used and dyeing method is taken into consideration. The motifs and complexity of the design is taken into account. There is a variety of motifs such as floral or nature themes. Design aspects such as symmetry also play a role.

After this assessment the condition of the rug is assessed. The rug is looked at for wearing, warping, fading and other defects. Age is also taken into account. The better the condition the rug is in the higher its value.

There are many reasons to get a rug appraisal. The most common is for insurance purposes. The insurance company needs to know its value in case of damage or as a general assessment. Some rugs are damaged by flooding and the insurance company needs to know the value of it before they can proceed with coverage.

Another main reason rug owners get appraisals is out of curiosity. Many own rugs that have been inherited or passed down in the family. They’ve owned it for years yet don’t know how much it is worth. Professional experienced rug experts can help determine rug values.     

How to avoid unprofessional rug cleaners

Many of us have had horror stories when it comes to rugs sent out for cleaning. Problems can relate to smell, stains that are still present, hidden costs, the rug comes back not clean, the rug is now warped, there’s a fragrance to mask the fact that the rug isn’t clean or the rug pile is damaged. The damage actually stared when we chose a rug cleaning service without thinking. Now that we know better it’s time to never repeat the mistake.

Good rug cleaners are usually recommended by word of mouth. A friend had a great cleaning job and you consider using the same service. There are also reviews online but those can be misleading. Another great source is getting a recommendation from a cleaning company that has already given great service.

What distinguishes a professional carpet cleaning company? As side from doing a good cleaning job on your rugs they care about the details. For example they don’t skip wash the fringes on the rug and they have them brushed out. The company would also inspect your rug before any cleaning happens. 

This way they can inform you of any problems immediately. Furthermore they can instantly recognize dye and materials and will clean it according that that. The main thing is that they demonstrate quality and care in their work.

Another helpful thing would be to visit the cleaning plant yourself to get a first hand view of the premises. Any questions you have can be answered at the site and you can see part of the cleaning process.   

Best rugs for your kids

Rugs can bring comfort and enjoyment to any family living space. When you have young children there are particular thing to consider.

The age of your child will determine which activities will happen the most. Babies and toddlers will get the most out of soft carpeting. It feels good on the hands and feet and while sitting. If your rug is thin, it may be necessary to create plushness by having the right underpad.

Life always happens to good rugs. Therefore you want to protect them in any way you can. Drink spills may happen when you have young children. To prevent staining it would be a good option to scotch-guard your rug. This will prevent carpet fiber from absorbing into the rug. This service is available at most professional rug cleaning services. Having a darker coloured rug may also be an option. Rugs made of synthetic material are easier to wash and will retain less dirt.

Proper cleaning is important in maintaining your rug and good health. Weekly vacuuming will remove dirt, allergens and dust mites. It will also prevent any possible mold growth. For a deep cleaning it is recommended that you have area rugs professionally cleaned once a year. It is also advised to have it done with a company that uses eco-friendly detergents. This way no harmful toxins will be airborne and you can enjoy using your rug.

Good cleaning and proper maintenance will also extend the life of your rug and allow you to enjoy more family moments. 

The benefits of centrifuge vs. wringer in carpet cleaning

Centrifuge and wringer machines are used to extract water from carpets with a few key differences.

Centrifuge

A rug centrifuge is for rinsing and drying rugs that have just been cleaned. It allows for water extraction from the rugs that isn’t normally possible. As a result rugs get a better rinse after cleaning and dry faster than with a hanging method. However, the rug centrifuge is mostly limited to synthetic material and simple rugs. It is most commonly use for door mats.

There are limitations to using the centrifuge. Namely it can’t be used for all rug types. Delicate handmade rugs would be destroyed by the centrifuge force. It can destroy rug pile as well and create thinning patches especially on old antique rugs. It can also damage rug fringes in this way.

 In addition, if dye bleeding occurs, the effects will be amplified if the rug is in a centrifuge. The dye will penetrate all the layers of the rug and cause unwanted damage. Overtime, dyes from previous rugs can accumulate and cause discoloration on light coloured rugs.

Overall, it a centrifuge is best for simple synthetic rugs.

Wringer

A wringer is used to wring water out of rugs after they have been washed and rinsed. Since its invention there isn’t a professional rug cleaning company who can do without it. It can wring out water from most types of rugs except really delicate ones. Its rollers can be adjusted to fit with the rug thickness which prevents damage to the quality of the rug.

The only draw backs are that it can’t get out as much water as a centrifuge. Therefore, the rug may take a bit longer to dry. It can’t be used to rinse the rug.

It’s still the most necessary commodity for professional carpet cleaning. 

Allergies and your rug

Living with allergies doesn’t mean getting rid of your rug. It just means choosing the right type of rug and taking preventative measures. It can even extend the life of your rug.

Material

Natural rug material such as silk is the best material to prevent allergy irritations. The composition of synthetic material must be looked at for potential allergens. Short pile and tightly woven strands also prevent dirt and dust mites from getting trapped into the rug.  Thin rugs are also ideal for this and can have added thickness with the use of the right underpad.

Cleaning

Vacuuming on a weekly basis should be effective in removing most allergens such as dust mites, pollen and fur. For more detailed rug cleaning both sides of the rug should be vacuumed when it’s possible. Rugs should be sent out once a year to be cleaned professionally. This ensures a deep cleaning and will prevent other unwanted allergens such as mould. It is recommended to have your rugs cleaned more often if your rug is in a high traffic area or you have pets.

Carpet solutions

It is best to use eco-friendly detergents when your rug is being washed. This way there are no harmful airborne toxins or irritating perfumes present when you are trying to enjoy your space after cleaning. Additionally, these detergents won’t harm the environment.

Air Filtration

Having a good air filter will remove many airborne allergens and improve the quality of the air. It will also prevent these allergens from being embedded into your rug. 

Pest control for rugs

No one wants to see the rugs they love damaged by pests. There are simple preventative methods to ensure that pests like moths, mice and other insects won’t be a problem.

Regular detailed cleaning

Pests like to target rugs that have food crumbs or dusty areas. Weekly vacuuming should help take out unwanted food crumbs and dirt. It is also important to get under furniture or use a nozzle to get hard to reach places.

Rugs should be cleaned by professional carpet cleaners once a year to get a deep clean. The methods they use get a better cleaning that rental machines or just vacuuming. They also extend the life of your rug.

Repellent solutions

Many rug cleaning companies have services to treat rugs with moth repellent solutions. This treatment should be done once every five years for frequently used rugs. For rugs in storage, the treatment should be done every year. If a pest situation is bad ask a professional how often the treatment should be applied.

Storage

It is important that rugs be cleaned in a clean temperature controlled closed area. The isolated area is key to preventing pest entry at the start.  Additionally, it is important to have the carpet covered.  Plastic isn’t the best material for the job. It prevents dust but it doesn’t allow the carpet material to breathe. Fabric covers are good because they are breathable but they can be expensive. However, high thread counts are good to prevent dust mites and other small pests from accessing the rug.  

The best material to use is paper. It’s inexpensive, breathable and prevents pest from getting to your rug. It’s also eco-friendly and doesn’t leech any toxins into your rug.

Getting the wrong under-pad can do more than just damage your carpet

Under-pads come in handy for protection against spills, staining and wearing. However, a poorly made or even the wrong type of under-pad can have damaging effects. This happens when certain considerations like foot traffic isn’t kept in mind.

Hardwood floors

Rugs that are on hardwood floor and near a source of UV lighting such as a window are a bad combination. Waffle design under-pad will absorb UV rays but the UV light will reach the porous areas. Over time this will damage the wood flooring and cause discolouration. The floor will have to sanded and revarnished. Therefore it is best not to place this type of under-pad by a direct sunlight source.   

Traffic

Heavy foot traffic can damage a rug. Having the wrong under-pad furthers this damage. Ideal under-padding is shock absorbing and thick. If the under-pad is too thin or made of foam material, it will flatten and disintegrate under pressure. Overall, it won’t protect the rug. 

Quality

Cheaply made or fragile under-pad will have undesired affects on your rug. Fragile under-pad with waffle pattern is only meant for rugs with low foot traffic. If it’s put in a high traffic location it won’t last long and will break. Cheaply made foam under-pad will disintegrate over time and could have effects on your health.

Choosing the right under-pad for your rugs is important. There is more than one factor to keep in mind in order to choose the right one. When in doubt it is easy to ask a carpet cleaning professional. They can aid you in making the right decision and will mostly likely have quality samples and products at hand. 

Buying The Right Rug

Getting the right carpet for your living space will help you enjoy it. There are a few simple things to keep in mind.

Physical aspects

Measure the space you intend to put the rug to get the right size. Also take in to consideration the floor it will be placed on. Slippery surfaces like tiles will allow the rug to slip out of place. Hard surfaces will allow rugs to be susceptible to wear and pressure. Matching the rug to the right under-pad can improve the enjoyment of the living space.

Location

Rug location determines what key features to look for when buying a rug.  It is better to have synthetic rugs when food is involved such as in living room and dining room areas. Synthetic materials hinder possible stains. It is also ideal if you have pets and young children. Soft or plush rugs are nice in space where people spend a lot of time such as the living room. A plush under-pad can contribute to this if a rug is too thin or the flooring is hard.

Cleaning

Again, synthetic rugs make for easier clean up of spills and stains. However, natural materials rugs like silk or wool rugs are more difficult to clean but not impossible to. To get the full benefits of cleaning it is recommended that all your rugs be sent out to professional carpet cleaning company once a year.

Design

Interior designers know that a nicely designed rug can really brighten and bring a room together. It is useful to keep in mind the colour of furniture in place and what colour the room is painted.  It depends of what mood you are trying to create. Calm? Peaceful? Or bright and creative? Choose possible rug designs based on this. The right choices will allow you to enjoy your living space.

The Many Uses of Carpet Under-pads

Under-pads are foam or plastic material set under carpets. Different under-pads are needed for area rug and wall to wall carpets. Under-pads have many uses based on the rug location and type of rug.

Protection

The main use of an under-pad is to protect your rug from stains and wearing. Plastic under-pads prevent spills from being absorbed into the rugs. This ideal if you have pets, children or your rug is located in a dining room area. Plush under-pads absorb the pressure on rug pile exerted in heavy traffic areas. This prevents wearing.  

Rug shifting
When your rug is located on a slippery surface such as tiles or even hard wood it may shift out place.  Heavy foot traffic my also contribute to this. Over time your rug could stretch in an unwanted fashion. Having an under-pad to prevent slips will keep your rug into place and absorb foot traffic pressure.

Quality of space

The right under-pad can contribute nicely to the quality of a living space. If the rug is located on a hard surface, it can create an enjoyable plush feel on the feet. Young children may enjoy this as well particularly if the rug is located in a living room. It can provide sound insulation from surroundings. If you have a thin rug an under-pad can create a sense of rug thickness. Anti-microbial under-pads prevent bacteria from growing and guard against unwanted odors.    

Life of your rug

Under-pads can extend the life of your rug considerably. They protect the rug fiber from wearing out and keep stains from absorbing into the carpet. However, to further enjoy your rugs it is advised to have professional carpet cleaners clean them once a year.

Love Your Pets, Love Your Rugs

Owning a pet can mean more maintenance for your rug, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. Having pets means more dirt, hair, dander and possible stains. There are key features to keep your rugs and environment clean.

It comes down to material

Ideally a pet owner would want a synthetic rug and not wool or silk. It’s easier to manage pet stains when they happen to a synthetic rug. Additionally, synthetic rugs usually come with a built in protector that guards against stains. Brands such as Stain Master provide this feature specifically. Wool and silk rugs are prone to absorb pet stains. Therefore they’re not readily recommended.

Under-pads


Having the right under-pad can prevent stains from being absorbed into the carpet. Ideally you would be looking for a pad that has a plastic top layer to stop spills. Regular or solid plush under-pads are ideal for pet owners. Antimicrobial under-pads prevent bacteria and odors from occurring.  Having an under-pad also prevents wearing of the rug fabric and maintains the quality of the rug.

Regular carpet and rug cleaning

It is advised to get your rugs cleaned professionally once a year for synthetic, wool and thin silk rugs. If your rug is made of thick silk, you have many pets or your rug is located in a high traffic area, it should be cleaned twice a year. Having the rug professionally cleaned will allow a deep cleaning that is not obtainable with rental machines. Additionally, it will extend that life of your rug with proper maintenance.

Benefits of Professional Rug Cleaning

Choosing the right rug cleaning company will make carpet cleaning a breeze. So why choose one over doing the job yourself? There are several great reasons:

Experience
The right cleaning companies can assess and prepare your rug according to the material it’s made of, details such as fringes,  the types of dye used in the carpet and specific stains. This prevents wearing of materials, bleeding, fading and attention to stained areas. It helps maintain the integrity of the rug.

Cleaning solutions
Store bought carpet cleaning solutions can put you in a bind. Many are too harsh and affect dye colouring. Often the end result is the stain is still there and the rug is damaged. Cleaning companies assess the types of stains on your rugs and apply the appropriate cleaning solutions. There is a difference in food and drink stains, pet stains and overall dirt. The cleaning company will apply tried and true methods with the focus on getting the rug cleaned.

Rental Machines
These machines may seem like a good solution but they don’t do a deep clean. Other concerns are that it may damage and rip out carpet fiber. Additionally, the machines aren’t as powerful and only take away some of the dirt at the surface of the rug. They cannot be used on hand woven and silk rugs. These need to be sent to professional cleaners in order not to damage them. The machines also tend to soak the rugs and may produce mold if they can’t dry properly.

Professional steam cleaning is recommended for synthetic wall to wall carpets. This service provides a deeper cleaning with high water pressure and controlled water temperature. Additionally, water is extracted from the rug with a powerful vacuum hose. This allows the rug to dry faster and allows the customer to enjoy the clean space sooner.

Owning a silk area rug

Rugs made of bamboo or banana silk are considered a luxury item to own. This is due to the unique care and method of fabrication that goes into making them. The natural fibers are ideal for people with allergies. They typically don’t retain dirt and prevent dust mites from gathering. These rugs are very fine and pleasant to the touch. The fineness of the threads allows intricate designs to be woven into the rug.
The pile on silk rugs tends to be short and as a consequence the rugs are thin. The downside if that this allows the rugs to be more susceptible to mechanical stress. Having the right underpad can remove most mechanical stress exerted on the rug. In addition, it can also add thickness to the rug.
A downside to buying one of these rugs is that they tend to be expensive. With that it is important to buy from a certified dealer. This ensures quality in your investment and care went into the fabrication of the rug.
Another thing to note is that silk rugs require special cleaning to preserve the integrity of the rug. They require specific washing and drying requirements. This preserves color and the shape of the rug. Make sure to send your rug to a professional carpet cleaning service that specializes in cleaning these types of rugs.