Like everything else today, rugs need special care to ensure long life. Regular cleaning using adequate treatments will help extend the life of your rug. For spot removal it is highly recommended that all spills be cleaned immediately. Research shows that up to 90% of spots and stains from spills can be prevented if cleaned right away. If your carpet is already stained, here are some useful steps for spot removal.

Spotting

• mmediately scoop up as much of the spill as possible. Then blot, do not rub, with clean, white absorbent cloth or paper towels to remove excess moisture. Use a wet/dry vacuum if spill is large.
• Douse stain with warm, not hot, water and blot with clean, white cloth or paper towels. Press down firmly to remove as much moisture as possible. Repeat until no stain is evident on cloth or towels.
• If stain remains on carpet, make a solution of warm water and mild non-bleach liquid laundry, not dishwashing, detergent (1 teaspoon to 1 quart water). Apply enough solution to cover stain and let soak for about 5 minutes.
• Rinse with warm water and blot thoroughly to extract water. Repeat until all detergent is removed.
• Absorb remaining moisture with layers of white paper towels, weighted down overnight with non-staining glass or ceramic object.
• When completely dry, vacuum or brush the pile to restore texture.

Ghost Stain:After drying, if the stain reappears, it may be because some stain remained deep in the pile and wicked up to the surface. If so, reapply warm water detergent solution, vacuum or brush when completely dry.

Rug Care Maintenance

Vacuuming is the basic and primary step for caring for your rug. Rugs are exposed to endless mistreatment, such as treading feet, dirt, dust, oil and spills of all sorts. By frequently vacuuming, you can prevent soils from building up. Vacuums with good suction are recommended to lift surface dirt.

Frequently rotate your rugs to equalize the damaging effects of the sun. Because continual direct exposure to sunlight will damage a rug over time, use window shades, shutters, or heavy curtains to safeguard your investment.

Also protect your rugs from fumes and dampness. Fumes from furnaces, stoves, chimneys and auto exhaust can mix with humidity in the atmosphere to form an acid that fades and deteriorates the appearance of wool. Over time, dampness will rot the threads and destroy the fibers of a rug. Keep them in a dry environment.

Other Tips

• Sweeping your rug with a broom at least once a week removes loose soil and brings out it's natural sheen.
• Beating is one of the best methods for cleaning a rug. It should be beaten several times on each side, always in dry weather.
• Rugs should be washed every three to five years, depending on their use and the amount of traffic they endure.