Why You Should Never Let a Carpet Cleaner Clean Your Rugs

When it comes to cleaning the rugs in your Knoxville area home, not all methods are created equal. At Carr’s Rug Cleaning, we specialize in professional rug cleaning; that’s why we know the pitfalls of hiring an in-home carpet cleaner to clean your Oriental or area rugs. Let’s take a look at why carpet cleaners are just not equipped to do the job.

The Difference Between Carpets and Rugs

Although area rugs and carpets may look similar, they're vastly different in their construction and cleaning needs. Carpets typically have a plastic backing and are designed for top-down cleaning. On the other hand, rugs are made with tightly woven fibers that trap dirt deep within their foundation. This means that simple vacuuming or carpet-cleaning methods aren't sufficient for proper rug care.

The Damage Done by Carpet Cleaners

Carpet-cleaning equipment is built to clean the surface fibers of carpeting, not the foundations of area rugs. When a carpet cleaner attempts to clean an area rug, they leave the deeply embedded dirt untouched.

Even worse, the moisture and cleaning chemicals can mix with this dirt and form a plaster-like substance. This can cut the fibers, which accelerates wear. Unfortunately, this can also make the rug's foundation brittle and potentially cause irreversible damage.

There are even more issues that can come from using on-site standard carpet-cleaning equipment.

Residue from cleaning is often left in the rug’s foundation, which attracts more dirt and can quickly make the rug dirty again.
High heat from hot-water extraction or steam cleaning can damage the dyes, resulting in color bleeding.
Improperly dried rugs can develop mold, mildew, and other issues like browning and wicking.

Proper Rug Cleaning Techniques

Proper area rug cleaning involves a more thorough process. Rug care should include dusting and immersion washing. This means submerging the rug in water and allowing the dirt to be washed away. This will leave both the face yarns and the foundation clean and supple.

At Carr's Rug Cleaning, we use chemistry to determine how to clean each rug. Every material is unique, so it's important that your professional rug cleaning service is knowledgeable about detergents. Wool, for example, demands gentler detergents than those used for nylon.

Trust the Professionals for Rug Cleaning

So, what's the best way to make sure your rugs stay beautiful and live a long life? It's simple: Hire a drop-off professional rug cleaning service to clean your rugs.

At Carr's Rug Cleaning, our dedicated rug-cleaning facility is equipped to handle the unique challenges of oriental rug cleaning and provide a level of care that standard carpet cleaners simply cannot match. Our specialized equipment ensures that rugs are washed, rinsed, and thoroughly dried without any residue left behind.

Do you have a rug that needs professional cleaning? If you're in Knoxville, Maryville, Oak Ridge, Lenoir City, Loudon, or Kingston, Carr's Rug Cleaning is here to help. Contact us at (865) 584-2116 or request an appointment online today!