Rug Care Tips: Preventing Mildew and Dry Rot in Rugs
Local Search Essentials • March 21, 2019
When rugs stay wet too long, they become mildewed and, eventually, suffer dry rot. The classic example is dry rot caused by a potted plant placed on a rug. The typical result is a horribly rotted circular area in a carpet that is otherwise in good condition. Don’t even think about putting a potted plant on a rug. No matter how clever you are or if you use a glazed pot or saucer, it may not work. Whether you put a vapor barrier between the saucer and the rug, the rug will get wet. Most importantly, it will stay wet. And unbeknownst to you and will become a rotten mess in an area about one foot in diameter.
Another typical situation comes up when rugs are stored poorly. Therefore, when they are stored in a garage and become wet without anyone realizing, this can become an issue. Even though dry rot is not inevitable in such cases, a mildew smell is, and sometimes the smell of mildew simply cannot be removed. I have seen several occasions when moisture under a house has caused rugs on the floor above to mildew.
Caring for Your Rugs
Please do not worry needlessly, though. A little water on a rug, or even a lot of water, will not cause it to mildew unless the rug stays wet too long. For instance, when a rug is stepped onto after a shower or bath rarely are hurt by water because they have time to dry out between bath times. And don’t panic if you spill a glass of water on a rug. Lastly, just dry it as well as you can with towels.
Unfortunately, besides causing mildew and dry rot, water sometimes causes dyes in rugs to bleed or run. All you can do in this situation is to get the rug dry as soon as possible and to send it to an expert rug washer. If a rug is just a little wet, as from a spilled glass of water, do what I suggested above. Merely soak up as much water as possible with a towel or paper towel and everything will probably be just fine. If you are worried about the floor underneath, elevate the wet spot until it dries.
When All Else Fails
A rug that is thoroughly wet is another matter. The goal is to dry it before it mildews in about four or five days. If you have a Shopvac or other vacuum that will take in water, vacuum out as much water as you can. If you have sunlight and a place to lay the rug, open it and let it finish drying outdoors. Or, if you know that the rug is dirty as well as wet, dry it enough so that you can get it to an Oriental rug cleaning specialist.
Source: https://goo.gl/BkxUZN
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Worried about cleaning methods for your rugs? Arslanian Bros. walks you through the different rug cleaning methods. For service, call (216) 271-6888.
Start with your windows. Clean the inside and outside of all your windows. Once the light shines into your house, you will be able to see what areas you missed during the wintertime. As you’ve been hibernating throughout the winter and piling on the sweaters and blankets, there’s a good chance that clutter—and your lists of chores—have been piling up as well. Start small – don’t try to attack your entire house at once. Think about clearing one room, or even one closet, at a time. When this is complete, sort it out. Go through your space and separate your belongings into categories. Determine the things you will keep on hand, store for later, sell, donate, or throw away. Once you’ve cleared out the clutter, give your home some much-needed TLC. Empty out your kitchen fridge and thoroughly clean it. Sweep under your large appliances, like the stove and the fridge, and larger furniture pieces, like dressers, desks and the beds. Clean vinyl or wood blinds and take any curtains or drapes to the cleaners. Flip your mattress. Don’t just clean your sheets; wash your pillows and mattress covers as well. After these more thorough tasks, do your usual scrubbing, mopping, dusting, and vacuuming. Change your filters often. If you are running an AC system through your house, you need to change the filters in the spring and fall. This will help you reduce the amount of dust particles that build up in your home. Maintain a clean bathroom. This will also allow you to focus on other areas of the house, such as ceilings and closets, that may need a more thorough cleaning job. Put the spring back in your dirty keyboards with cotton swabs. If certain keys are sticking, or your entire keyboard just doesn’t have the same pop that it used to, chances are dirt and crumbs are the culprits. Your smart devices and tablets most likely need a good cleaning too. Remember to spray the disinfectant spray on a micro-fiber cloth or paper towel first and then wipe the unit! Most importantly, have the surfaces in your home like your rugs, carpet, and upholstery professionally cleaned . An expert can remove more dirt and allergens than regular cleaning can achieve. Furthermore, regular maintenance will make them last a lifetime. If it’s warm enough, open the windows and let the fresh air in as you freshen up your home. When your work is done, not only will the sun be shining – your house will too. Sources: http://cachevalleyfamilymagazine.com/five-quick-tips-for-spring-cleaning/ https://blog.nationwide.com/spring-cleaning-tips-and-tricks/
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Having a professional cleaning, at the very least annually, on your carpet and rugs is so important. A dirty rug or carpet can have thousands of dust mites living in the dust, and pounds of soil can accumulate underneath and in it every year. Carpet and rugs can contain several indoor contaminants and promote the growth of mold in damp areas which often cause allergies. Because it can be a health hazard, it is important to always keep your home furnishings clean. Dirt causes a lot of damage to the carpet, it grates against the yarn, making scratches in the fibers and taking away the luster. Dirt trapped eventually goes down to the carpet backing and deep within in your rugs and scrapes away the fibers, wearing them out. High-traffic areas will look dull and faded compared to the rest of your home. One major benefit of a professional rug and carpet cleaning service is that it helps extend the life of your furnishings. Removing this build-up of dirt and debris will help improve the longevity of the carpet or rugs as dust and other debris are more likely to adhere to a dirty rug or carpet than a clean one. Homeowners can also help decrease the build-up of debris in their area rugs and carpet between cleanings by vacuuming regularly. By keeping your carpet and oriental rugs consistently maintained and having them professionally cleaned annually, you can increase the appearance and longevity of your furnishings while contributing to a healthier environment. It is a great time to have a professional cleaning to remove the dirt and debris that has settled into your home this season. If you are interested in having your rugs and carpet professionally cleaned, contact Arslanian Bros. today! Source: https://www.progreencarpetnc.com/tips-to-extend-the-life-of-your-carpet/
“Extremely pleased We have used other carpet cleaners in the past. Don’t remember being satisfied. They usually left some stains claiming they couldn’t be removed. Not the case with Arslanian Bros. Everything looks like new. I have recommended them to others.” Jim Y. Concord Twp. , OH 01/04/2020 Customer Lobby: https://www.arslanianbros.com/reviews When you have a free moment and have not done so already, we would love for you to leave a review by clicking the link above. Thank you very much for your time in advance.
