Oriental rugs are a great addition to any room's decor. They have been popular for centuries and even make great heirlooms. Naturally oriental rugs will need to be cleaned from time to time. There are several ways that oriental rugs can be cleaned.

Of course the best way to clean a rug is to never get it dirty. The Orientals may have the right idea. It is oriental custom to take your shoes off before entering the house. This can be a great way to cut down on the dirt and wear that a rug is confronted with.

Orientals rugs can last a long time if they are treated correctly and cared for properly. Part of this care is limiting the abuse these rugs are required to take. By taking off shoes the mud and other dirt that may be on the shoes is not tracked onto the fine Oriental rug. However it is a good idea to wear socks because feet have oil on them and this natural oil can be left on the rugs and attract dirt.

The number of times you have a rug cleaned can affect its life both positively and negatively. The frequency that a rug needs to be cleaned will be directly affected by the amount of traffic the rug receives and how gently it is treated. Cleaning will naturally help preserve a rug but cleaning a rug too frequently can cause the threads of the rug break down also.

To determine if a rug needs to be cleaned you can lift the rug from the floor and pat the back of the rug. If this action causes a dust cloud to form then the rug needs to be cleaned. This method may not detect all dirt. It is also a good idea to kneel on the rug and rub the pile quickly for several seconds. If you r hand is dirty after this then the rug needs to be cleaned.

Vacuuming a rug will help keep it clean but this cannot eliminate the deep down dirt that will work its way into the carpet over time. Vacuuming once a week or so is a good idea. This will help to keep the rug in good condition by eliminating the surface dirt that can break the rug down.

While there are professionals that are trained at the proper method of cleaning oriental rugs you can clean them yourself. The first thing to do is to remove the rug from the area it usually sits on and take it to a garage or a basement or outside on a clear day. Start by vacuuming the rug like you usually do only in this case vacuum both sides. To prevent from getting anything on the rug from the garage floor or the driveway it is a good idea to place down a piece of plastic.

Once vacuumed the rug can be shampooed. Be sure to use cool water. Hot water can affect the particles that are woven into many rugs. Use a gentle shampoo such as liquid soap or commercial carpet shampoo. Be sure to never use bleach or ammonia these chemicals will permanently damage the rug.

Some oriental rugs colors may run. It is a good idea to test the rug to make sure this min not going to happen. The best way to do this is to place a little sudsy water on a cloth and brush a small section of the rug with the sudsy cloth. Once you are sure the colors will not run you should use a soft bristle brush and brush the pile firmly but gently in the direction of the nap.

It is a good idea to build lather with a gentle soap and use the suds to clean the rug. You do not need water as much as the suds in order to do an effect cleaning job. Wet down the rug thoroughly but do not soak it.

You will need to wash the fringe of the rug along with the surface areas. This can be done with the same brush and soap solution. Be sure to wipe away from the main area of the rug.

Once the rug has been sufficiently cleaned rinse the rug with running water. Using a towel blot out all excess water. A squeegee can be used for this job as well. When the rug has dried well on the surface flip it over and dry the other side as well.

When both sides have dried it is a good idea to run a wet vacuum over the rug again. This will get the last bit of moisture out and will vacuum up any dirt that may have been loosened. Be sure to let it air dry. You may not want to bring it inside till you are sure it is dry. Good quality oriental rugs are typically made of wool and wool will emit an odor when wet.

Oriental rugs when treated properly and cleaned on a regular basis can be last for years. Good quality oriental rugs are a great heirloom. Be sure to provide oriental rugs proper care and they will provide you years of use.