How Often Should Antique Rugs Be Cleaned?

Walking through your house, you notice the antique rug is looking a little dirty. You think to yourself, “Maybe it’s time to clean this thing, but how often should I be cleaning an antique rug? Is it possible to clean it too often?” The answer is yes.

Antique rugs require gentle cleaning and a little extra effort to keep them in good condition. Cleaning is necessary, but should be done by a professional.

Basic Care

First and foremost, limit the amount of dirt your antique rugs are exposed to. We recommend placing antique rugs away from doors and heavy traffic areas in the home. Keep your rug away from direct sunlight if possible to avoid sun-bleach.

Modern home vacuum cleaners are hard on the delicate threads in antique rugs. When vacuuming, we recommend turning off the beater bar to avoid tearing the rug. Considering the age and general wear and tear that comes with being an antique, it is best to send rugs out for cleaning or have a professional to your home to do the cleaning.

When to Clean

Antique rugs should be professionally cleaned every 3-5 years. Professional cleaning removes dirt buildups and restores the fibers of the rug. Cleaning can extend the life of your rug and keep it from breaking down from everyday wear and tear.

Stain Removal

If small spots and stains do occur, avoid using chemical cleaners on antique rugs. Depending on the nature of the stain, special treatment is necessary to keep the rug intact. Color bleeding, thread breakdown and latex decay are common issues with antique rugs and attempting to tackle them yourself could damage the rug.

The best defense is a good offence when it comes to antique rugs. Vacuum when necessary, avoid high traffic areas, rotate your carpet so that all areas of the rug are exposed to similar traffic wear and avoid extended exposure to direct sunlight.

Antiques are worth the extra effort, so take good care of your rugs and call a professional for help when it’s time to clean. Langenwalter Carpet Cleaning provides in-home carpet cleaning and has the tools and expertise to clean antique rugs and ensure they are cleaned properly without damage. For more information about Langenwalter Carpet Cleaning, give us a call at 317-876-9944 to schedule an appointment.