General Home Cleaning Tips · Rug Washing 101 ·Dec 26, 2022

How To Clean A Persian Rug

If you have a Persian rug in your home, you will know just how valuable one of these truly is. Or if you are looking to buy one, you’ll be familiar with the hefty price tag.

While getting your Persian rug dirty might feel like a disaster, it doesn’t have to be. With our guide on how to clean a Persian rug, you’ll have it looking good as new in no time.

In this article, we discuss whether you can clean a Persian rug with a carpet cleaner, and list the most effective ways in which you can clean your rug without damaging it.

What this article covers:

Can You Clean a Persian Rug With Carpet Cleaner?
How to Spot Clean a Persian Rug
How to Clean a Persian Rug By Hand
What Is The Best Way to Clean a Persian Rug?

Can You Clean A Persian Rug With Carpet Cleaner?

Yes. When cleaning an Oriental rug or a Persian rug, you can use carpet cleaners to wash the rug. But you should be wary of the products used, as strong chemicals can lead to fiber damage, discoloration, and more.

Always check the ingredients of the product before using it, and if you are unsure, speak to a salesperson or expert to get their advice on whether it can be applied to a Persian rug safely. Ensure you have all products and equipment needed before you begin.

It is also good practice to do a spot test before you use a product for the first time. Apply a tiny dot of the product onto a small, corner patch of the carpet, and then leave it for about an hour. This is important to do with any type of carpet, like when cleaning a braided rug.

How To Spot Clean A Persian Rug

If you find a dreaded spill or stain on your Persian rug, you may want to do a spot clean instead of reaching for repair tools for carpets or washing the entire rug out.

When you spot a stain, it is always best to attend to it as soon as you possibly can. This will make it far easier to remove the spot and will prove more effective in clearing the stained area completely. This applies when cleaning a woven rug, too.

Remove Excess Dirt

The first thing you will do is remove any excess dirt present on the rug surface. If it was a liquid spill, use a paper towel to blot it and absorb the moisture.

If there is solid debris in and around the stain, use a small teaspoon to gently scrape off and scoop up the dirt. Do not press too hard when doing this, as it could damage the fibers.

If there are dust particles to remove, you can either shake off the rug or use a vacuum to suction this. Always do this first step with any carpet, like when you clean a Moroccan rug.

Clean and Rinse Stain

Next, combine a teaspoon of mild liquid soap with a cup of warm water in a small bowl. Make sure that the water is not too hot, or it might damage the rug.

Dip a small sponge into the solution, and then squeeze it out to eliminate any excess liquid. Then press the dam sponge onto the stain with a bit of pressure, and hold it down for about 5 seconds. Lift it, and then press down again. Continue this until you see the stain begin to disappear.

how to clean a persian rug by hand

Once the stain seems to have cleared, you will need to rinse out the soap. Dip a cloth into cold water, and then dab the area with small, quick movements to draw out any soap.

Never leave soap in a carpet, whether you are cleaning a Navajo rug or a Persian rug, as it can lead to damage,

Dry Rug

Once you have rinsed out the soap, use a fresh, dry cloth to blot the area again, and absorb as much liquid as possible. Once you have done this, you will need to leave the rug to dry for a few hours, or overnight, depending on the size of the area you have cleaned.

Once dry, check the rug to ensure the stain has cleared. If it has not, repeat the process.

How To Clean A Persian Rug By Hand

A Persian rug should be taken care of, with regular cleaning and maintenance. When cleaning a Karastan rug or a Persian rug, it is best to do it by hand, as cleaning equipment can be too harsh on the rug fibers.

It is best to dust or vacuum a Persian rug once or twice a month to prevent dust build-up. A proper wash, on the other hand, can be done once or twice a year. Washing a Persian rug too often could lead to fading or damage.

Remove Excess Dust

First, move the rug to an outdoor space to avoid making a mess in your home. This can be on a patio, balcony, garden, etc.

Once outside, remove any loose dirt or dust from the rug. This can either be done by shaking it out vigorously or vacuuming the rug. The latter is the better option if the rug is large and heavy, and cannot be lifted easily.

Mix and Apply the Solution

Mix a mild cleaner or detergent (check the ingredient to ensure it is not too harsh) with lukewarm water in a small bowl or bucket. Transfer this to a spray bottle.

Spray the solution generously onto the carpet, making sure to cover the entire surface well. There should be enough solution to soak through the fibers without flooding the carpet. You may need to refill your bottle a few times if it is not very large.

Leave the solution to settle into the rug for 2-3 minutes before you continue.

Blot the Rug

Use a soft, dry cloth to blot the surface of the rug. Start from one corner and work across, then down, and back across. This will ensure that you do not miss any spots. Go over the rug this way at least 4-5 times.

This will draw out the liquid, together with any dirt and bacteria in the rug fibers. Avoid heavy cleaning equipment, as the delicate fibers could get damaged.

Rinse Rug

how to clean persian rugs at home

Fill a spray bottle with plain, cold water and spray it generously onto the entire carpet. Using a new dry cloth, blot the rug once again to draw out any cleaner from the rug. This should also take care of any remaining dirt in its fibers.

Dry Rug

Leave the rug out to air dry overnight, or longer, depending on its size and thickness.

Once fully dry, you can return it to its original location.

What Is The Best Way To Clean A Persian Rug?

The very best way to clean a Persian rug most effectively is with professional carpet cleaning chemicals, as it is most similar to how professionals clean Orientals rugs and Persian rugs.

These products work best as they are specially formulated to clean carpets, meaning they get rid of stubborn dry or stains and do not damage the rug fibers in the process. This is best to use when doing a deep clean of a carpet that is overdue.

Vacuum Excess Dirt

First, you will either shake out the carpet or vacuum it to eliminate any loose debris in the fibers. You may need a helping hand for the first option if the rug is large and heavy, or you can just opt for the second option.

Ensure that the rug is placed in an outdoor space before you begin. This applies to any rug, such as when you clean a Berber carpet, as it avoids making a mess inside.

Prepare and Apply Cleaner

Next, you will need to prepare your chosen cleaner or prespray.

Our Black Label Sweet Breeze Prespray works perfectly for this type of clean. Its special formula quickly eradicates any dirt or bacteria in the rug and leaves it as bright and fresh as it was when it was brand new.

The Sweet Breeze scent is also pleasant and adds a lovely aroma to your rug and the room it is in. For tiles, you would want to use a hydro force grout cleaner.

Mix the cleaner according to the instructions on the packaging, and then generously pour or spray it onto the rug.

Use your hands to lather the cleaning solution into the rug fibers, using large circular motions. Make sure to lather the entire rug, and do this for a few minutes to clean it well.

This method is gentler on the carpet than using equipment like Rotovac carpet cleaners.

Rinse and Dry Rug

Next, you will need to rinse out the cleaner. You can either use a hose with cold water, or you can use a bucket to generously pour on cold water. Do this until all the cleaner has been removed.

Finally, use a large absorbent towel to dab the rug and remove excess liquid. Then leave the rug out to air dry fully overnight.

Conclusion

A Persian rug should be taken care of, and you are spoilt for choice with effective methods to clean it.

To avoid a large buildup of dirt and debris, vacuum the rug at least once a month, and do a deep clean at least once a year. This will not only keep it clean but also prolong its lifespan.

The most effective way to deep clean a rug would be to use professional carpet cleaning products.

Did you find our blog helpful? Then consider checking other guides: