Protect Your Rug from Long-Term Damage

That accidental spill of red wine or those Italian meatballs that fell during your holiday party – or the little “whoops” that your puppy Fluffy left on your nice rug could become a lasting memory of a bad moment. Or quick action could keep your rug looking its best.

Not every rug stain requires professional attention, so here are some practical tips from Dalworth Rug Cleaning. We are glad to provide this information to assist you in removing small, everyday household spills so you will minimize the damage to your rug.

First of all, a word of caution: Most of the over-the-counter spot cleaners that you find are generic in nature and they cannot treat every kind of stain. Some of them are inappropriate for use on many rugs, particularly expensive Persian rugs. You can do more damage to your rug if you use the wrong cleaner, because they contain concentrations of enzymes, detergents and bleaches. Using the wrong cleaner can result in additional discoloration of your rug.

WARNING: Using the improper cleaning solution can set spots and cause discoloration that may not be visible until the rug is thoroughly cleaned and rinsed.

If you want to purchase a spotter for your own do-it-yourself purposes, please call us at 817-318-6121. We can help you analyze your situation and the proper cleaning solution.

Here are the tips for you to self-clean your rug stains:

• Act immediately. The longer the spill remains on your rug, the more likely it is to stain.
• Blot up the spills immediately. It’s critical to remove as much of the excess material as quickly as possible. For best results, use a clean, white towel and press down on the stain. Work from the outside of the spill to the middle. Most importantly, BLOT – don’t rub, scrub or brush. Rough treatment will damage the fibers and could extend the spill’s impact.

• Remove any solids immediately. Use a plastic spoon or credit card and proceed with caution.
• Pre-test any spotting solution in an unseen area.Test both home-made and commercial cleaners on an inconspicuous area such as the back of your rug. If dye from the rug comes off or if the rug changes color in that area, do NOT use this solution.
• Don’t over-wet. Use small amounts of the liquids, because over-wetting can cause the stain to spread.
• Less is MORE.Use your cleaning solutions sparingly. Using excessive amounts of strong chemicals can damage your rug and compound the problem.
• Be patient. Some spots respond very slowly, so take your time when treating the spot. The alternative is having to look at bad results for years to come.
• Rinse out any chemicals. If you used a cleaning solution, be sure to blot it up with a damp cloth. Leaving soap in your rug can cause the spot to reappear due to rapid re-soiling.
• DRY THE SPOT THOROUGHLY. Prolonged moisture can cause mildew and damage to your rug. Check back after a half-day to make sure the area is dry. If not, place a fan blowing directly on the spot until dry. If the rug has not dried in two days, please call Dalworth Rug Cleaning.
• When in doubt, call in the pros. If your spot does not respond to your treatment, you should call a professional who is a member of the  Association of Rug Care Specialists. Dalworth Rug Cleaning was a founding member of this respected trade association.