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How to Clean and Section Old
Cotton Rugs |
There are two steps which you need to take to
clean a large needle point rug. Also keep in
mind that you may have some foot traffic
patterns with which to be concerned.
First of all, you need to obtain some plastic
sheeting to put underneath the rug if it isn't
on a waterproof floor, such as vinyl. You will
need some foaming carpet cleaner and a rug
cleaning machine that does not have rotating
bristles. If the machine contains an upholstery
tool, you may use that as long as it does not
have any rotating bristles. When it comes to
cleaning a needlepoint rug, think of it as a big
piece of upholstery that needs to be cleaned.
Before you use the foaming carpet cleaner, do a
spot test in a small unobtrusive location to
make sure of its color fastness. Spray on the
foam, then let it sit for 10 or 15 minutes, then
wipe it up with a damp rag. Do not scrub the
area; wipe it up gently. Do not continue if
there is any color in the foam, other than the
dirt from the surface. If the spot test turns
out fine then you may use the foam on the other
areas. Even though the directions on the can may
instruct to scrub the foam into the rug, do not
do so with a yarn rug. Instead use a damp cloth
and work it around a little so that it will
provide the surface with adequate coverage. Then
let it sit for 10 minutes or so, then wipe the
surface with a damp rag to remove the foam. Then
wipe the surface carefully with a slightly
wetter rag, and rinse it often.
After that spray adequate foam over the entire
rug so that it will spread from one end to the
other. Do not spray a thick layer of foam, but
merely enough to cover it. Then work it around
carefully with a damp cloth (as before), then
let it sit for approximately 10 minutes. At that
point, the foam should be almost gone. Then go
over the surface with the carpet machine and
lukewarm water. Suck out as much water as
possible as the rug should not be sopping wet.
Also, do not rub hard on the surface of the rug
when it is damaged because the yarns could get
damaged.
The rug should dry as quickly as possible. For
the initial drying, you may hang it up outside
over a line or railing. If you are not able to
do so, put towels under the rug and set up a fan
to blow across the top. When the rug is very
close to becoming dry, take it off the line and
lay it on the floor where it can dry flat. Do
not walk on it or place furniture on it until
the rug is completely dry.
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