Caring for your Oriental Rug: Spills & Pet Stains

1. Whether it is wine, coffee, urine, paint, or whatever, the first step is to remove as much of it as possible from the rug– as soon as possible.

Paper towels work well. Keep blotting until you have got as much out as possible.

2. After blotting, many spills will require diluting.

If it is clear that much of the spilled substance is still in the oriental rug, dilute it with water (assuming that the substance is water soluble)– as much water as necessary. That may mean a half cup for a small spill, or it may mean a quart of water for a major spill. Don’t get the rug sopping wet unless you need to.

3. Now back to blotting, get as much out of your rug as possible.

4. If the rug has become wet in the process, you needn’t panic.

Chances are that it can stay wet for at least several days without harm. Still, you will have to manage the wet rug and promote drying. If the rug is quite wet, you may have to elevate it to promote air circulation under it. You might just stuff some wadded up newspapers under it. You may wish to point a fan on the rug to circulate air.

5. If the rug is stained after all your efforts, consider taking it to a professional rug washer as soon as you can.

Very often spills come out in the wash.

6. DO NOT use spot removers on oriental rugs that are formulated for use on wall to wall carpeting. They will harm the wool pile of your rug.

Overall, Oriental rugs are extremely durable, in fact, they are some of the most durable type of rugs in the world. Hopefully a spill will never happen to one of your beautiful rugs but if it does, feel free to call Ageless Rugs or stop in the store for advice.