When you buy a beautiful oriental rug, you want it to stay beautiful for as long as possible. Unfortunately, accidents do happen. But just because you’ve gotten a little bit of wine or food on your rug doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world. These small spots can be cleaned on your own so long as you take the right steps.

What you can use

Many household cleaners are not safe for your oriental rug as they can break down the fibers. Bleach, too, is too harsh for your rug. However, there are still plenty of items you can use. Below are just five options available to you:

• Commercial dry-cleaning solvent
• 1 teaspoon of mild detergent (such as a dishwashing liquid like Dawn) mixed with one cup of lukewarm water
• 1 tablespoon of ammonia mixed with ½ cup of water
• 1/3 cup of white vinegar mixed with 2/3 cup of water
• Enzyme laundry detergent

Blot up the stain

The moment a stain occurs, act quickly. Blot it up as much as possible—do not rub it. This could make the stain even worse. Once you’ve removed as much of the stain as possible, you can turn to the options above to get rid of the rest.

Brush it in the right direction and let it dry

After you’ve applied your cleaning solution, brush the fibers in the proper direction. This will ensure that it dries properly. When it comes to drying, it’s best to let it air dry. However, if you’re anxious to make sure all is well with your rug, you can use a hair dryer. Just make sure you do not hold it too close to the rug.

While small stains can be handled on your own, more serious stains should be dealt with by a professional. At Surena Rugs, we offer oriental rug cleaning services to restore your rug to its former glory. Contact us today to have your rug cleaned!