Different types of rugs require different care to ensure that they will last as long as possible and perform to the best of their abilities. To help rugs last their longest, you want to make sure that you vacuum them frequently (and properly) to prevent any dry soil from building up deep down into the fibers and causing permanent damage to them. Today I will be addressing how to vacuum your tufted rug.
Tufted rugs are often confused with hand or machine woven wool rugs, but are actually quite different. Rather than knots holding the rug together, a mesh foundation forms the base for the wool to be looped through. Once the rug is constructed, the manufacturers use a latex glue to hold the wool in place and then a final piece of material is laid down to cover the glue and add a nice finished look to the back of the rug.
To take care of your rugs properly, you have to make sure that you have the right tools for the job. Tufted rugs have a naturally loose pile density, which means that an upright vacuum with a powerful suction is probably going to do more harm than good. Any super powerful suction is going to pull at those loops of wool and may pull them out causing damage to your beloved rug.
To avoid damage to the rug I recommend using either an electric sweeper or a canister vacuum with the rotary head feature turned off. Move from side to side along the width of the rug. You can also use an upholstery attachment for a canister vacuum or an upright that has no beater bar. If you use this, make sure you vacuum WITH the pile, not against it!
As I said above, tufted rugs do not have a very dense pile, which makes it easier for dry soil to build up at the base of the fibers. Dry soil is like sandpaper and it isn’t something that you want grinding into the base of your rug for an extended period of time! So, to prevent this damaging dry soil from building up and causing damage, make sure you vacuum frequently!
Have you ever lifted up your tufted rug to move it elsewhere and found a white powdery substance left behind? That’s a very strong indication that the latex glue holding your rug together is breaking down and needs replacement. Most tufted rugs have a lifespan of about 10 years before they begin to exhibit this “powdering” action. Don’t fret, though! The backing can be removed, the glue scraped away, and then it can be re-glued and have a fresh backing put in place to extend your rug’s lifespan. Arizona Oriental both cleans and offers tufted rug repairs, for which we provide free estimates!
Till next time, enjoy your beautiful art for your floor and remember a clean rug will certainly perform and last longer than a neglected soiled rug.
Arizona Oriental & Specialty Rug Care serves Prescott Valley, Prescott, Sedona and much of the Northern Arizona areas. We meet the highest standards in professional cleaning of area rugs with our rug wash specialists’ team having earned the highest training which includes certification as WOOLSAFE FIBRE CARE SPECIALISTS through the WOOLSAFE ORGANISATION. Such extraordinary certification ensures the area rugs of our client’s receive the utmost in care.
Call us if you have any questions about vacuuming your tufted rug or for other information and quotes for either cleaning or repair at 928-445-1718, visit our website at www.ArizonaOriental.com, or stop by Monday through Friday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at our rug washing facility at 565 EZ Street, Prescott, AZ 86301 (pick-up and delivery also available).
