Area Rug Cleaning Services vs. Carpet Cleaning: Why Rugs Need Different Care

A rug and a carpet can look alike, but they are built differently, so they need to be cleaned differently. Many people book a carpet cleaner for the whole house and have the rugs done in the same visit. Sometimes that's fine. Often it isn't. Here's what makes area rug cleaning services different from carpet cleaning, and how to tell which one your rug needs.

Why cleaning a rug on the floor leaves dirt and moisture behind

Wall-to-wall carpet is fixed to the floor, so it has to be cleaned where it lies. A rug doesn't have that limit, and cleaning it on the floor causes a few problems.

• Most of the dirt is deep down. Rugs hold a lot of fine, gritty soil at the base of the pile and in the foundation. A carpet wand cleans the surface and part of the pile, but it can't shake out what's packed underneath.
• Water soaks straight through. A rug has no pad or subfloor built into it. Water goes through the rug and onto the floor or pad below, where it can sit for days.
• Only one side gets cleaned. Dirt and spills often reach the back of the rug and the floor under it. Cleaning in place never touches either.
• Drying is slow and uneven. A damp rug lying flat dries from the top down. The back stays wet longest, and that's where mildew and odours start.

The result is often a rug that looks clean for a week, then goes dull again as leftover dirt wicks back up to the surface.

The risks of steam cleaning wool and handmade rugs

Hot water extraction, often called steam cleaning, works well on synthetic carpet. On wool and handmade rugs it can do real damage.

• Dye bleeding. Many handmade rugs use dyes that can run with heat or the wrong cleaning product. Once reds and blues bleed into the lighter areas, it's hard to fix.
• Shrinking and buckling. Wool and cotton react to heat and moisture. A rug that gets too hot or dries badly can shrink unevenly, ripple or stop lying flat.
• Browning. When a thick rug stays wet too long, brown stains can wick up from the foundation to the surface as it dries.
• Harsh chemicals. Carpet products are often high-alkaline. Wool is a protein fibre, much like hair, and strong alkaline cleaners can leave it rough, faded or brittle.
• Rot in the foundation. Cotton warps and wefts that stay damp can weaken over time. You may not see the damage until the rug starts to tear.

None of this means wool rugs shouldn't get wet. They wash very well, as long as the washing and drying are done with care.

What in-plant area rug cleaning services do that carpet machines can't

In-plant cleaning means the rug leaves your home and is washed in a space built for rugs. That allows for steps a carpet machine can't do.

1. Inspection. The rug is checked for fibre type, dye stability, stains, wear and repairs it may need, before any water touches it.
2. Dusting. Dry soil is removed from the rug before washing. This is often where most of the dirt comes out, and it can't be done on your floor.
3. A full wash. The rug is washed front and back with products chosen for its fibres, with enough water to rinse soil and residue all the way through.
4. Fringe and spot care. Fringes, pet stains and problem areas get attention on their own.
5. Controlled drying. The rug dries with good airflow on both sides, so the foundation dries fully and quickly.
6. Final check. The pile is groomed and the rug is looked over before it goes home.

While the rug is out, you also get the chance to clean the floor under it, which is often dustier than you'd expect. You can see what we offer on our services page.

Which rugs are fine to clean in place and which aren't

Some rugs are fine with an in-home clean. Others should always be washed by a rug specialist.

Usually fine to clean in place

• Machine-made rugs of nylon, polyester or polypropylene (olefin)
• Low-pile synthetic rugs with colourfast dyes
• Inexpensive rugs that are only lightly dirty

Better sent to a rug specialist

• Hand-knotted Oriental and Persian rugs, especially older or valuable ones
• Wool rugs of any kind
• Silk and viscose ("art silk") rugs, which can lose their sheen, stiffen or stain with water
• Hand-tufted rugs, which have a latex-glued backing that can break down and smell when soaked
• Jute, sisal and other plant-fibre rugs, which can shrink and brown when wet
• Rugs with pet urine, since urine soaks into the foundation and needs a full wash to remove
• Rugs with dyes that have run before

Not sure what your rug is made of? Check the label on the back. A hand-knotted rug will show its pattern clearly on the back, knot by knot. A hand-tufted rug usually has a canvas or cloth backing glued on. Our FAQ answers more common questions about Oriental rugs.

When to call a carpet cleaner and when to call a rug specialist

A simple rule of thumb:

• Call a carpet cleaner for wall-to-wall carpet and for cheap synthetic rugs that just need freshening up.
• Call a rug specialist for wool, silk, handmade, antique or valuable rugs, for pet accidents and strong odours, and for any rug you'd be upset to see damaged.

If you're booking a carpet cleaner anyway, it's fine to have them do the carpet and leave the good rugs for a rug specialist. The two jobs fit together well.

Have a rug that needs cleaning?

If you're not sure whether your rug can be cleaned in place, ask us. Tell us what it is, how big it is and what's wrong with it, and we'll tell you the best way to clean it. Check our coverage area, then get in touch to talk about your rug.