Sedona AZ – Sure Fire Way to Remove Mud from a Wool Area Rug
This guy would never run through mud only to bring it inside and leave it behind on his master’s area rug... or would he?
I thought I would share these tips just in case the need to remove mud from your area rug arises.
SOME THINGS TO REMEMBER…
Wool and silk fibers are delicate!
It’s well known that wool and silk lasts much longer than most fibers, but keep in mind that they are also delicate in many aspects and care must be taken when attempting to spot clean.
Letting the mud dry first is always best.
Attempting to spot clean while the mud is still wet has a high probability of spreading the mud wider and deeper into the pile. Avoid this by waiting for the mud to dry first.
OTHER THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND…
Don’t try to spot clean clumps of mud.
Instead, gently vacuum up the dry clumps of mud to remove as much as possible before you begin your spot cleaning.
You cannot use just any cleaner on wool and silk fibers!
Improper cleaners can damage wool fibers and even set the stain, making it permanent. Always make sure that you are using a wool safe spotter! (If the label doesn’t say wool safe, assume it is not.
Aggressive rubbing can and will likely make matters worse.
Wool fibers are easily fuzzed out by rubbing too hard. Instead, you should blot the spot.
Leaving a residue of the cleaning solution is harmful.
Residue attracts more soil. It’s important to flush detergent from the fibers with repeated rinsing.
Rug dyes often bleed.
Always test your cleaning solution (described below) in an inconspicuous spot FIRST to ensure that ALL colors are stable and do not bleed. Take a white cloth, dampen it with the cleaning solution, and test each color by blotting. If you see color transferred onto the rag, the dye is bleeding. DISCONTINUE your spotting and have your rug cleaning professional take care of the spot for you.
NOW THAT YOU'RE IN THE KNOW OF WHAT NOT TO DO, HERE ARE DIRECTIONS THAT SHOULD HELP YOU REMOVE MUD SUCCESSFULLY: 
Use 1 cup cool water mixed with 1 teaspoon of colorless dish detergent (only if no color was transferred in the test above).
Distribute the detergent water with your fingers, working from the outer edges of the mud towards the middle. Blot with clean white cloths. Once all traces of mud are removed, use your fingertips to sprinkle water and continue to blot dry to rinse. Repeat as needed. Place a fan to blow air over the rug to expedite drying.
Call a professional rug washer if additional cleaning is needed.
Leaving soap residues or spots can damage both the face and foundation fibers of area rugs.
Hopefully this advice is helpful with removing mud from your rug. Arizona Oriental is here to help you as the need arises – we specialize in area rug cleaning and spot cleaning. Remember that while spot cleaning is great, all rugs should be professionally cleaned every 2 to 3 years.
Arizona Oriental & Specialty Rug Care serves Sedona, Prescott, Prescott Valley, and much of the Northern Arizona areas. We meet the highest standards in professional cleaning of area rugs with rug wash specialists 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.
Till next time, enjoy your beautiful art for your floor and remember a clean rug is a rug that can last you a lifetime!
Call Arizona Oriental for additional information and quotes on cleaning area rugs with muddy spots at 928-445-1718, visit our website atwww.ArizonaOriental.com, or stop by Monday through Friday 10:00 am to 5:00 pmat our rug washing facility at 565 EZ Street, Prescott, AZ 86301 (pick-up and delivery also available).
