Rug Washing… Do You Know The Difference?

Type Identifying Traits Things To Know Picture
Hand Knotted Pattern can be seen on both sides of rug, fringe is not sewn on but actually made of fibers that run entire length of carpet, dging and shape are imperfect Can be immersion cleaned. Dyes can bleed during cleaning process. If there is urine in carpet this will cause bleeding – we will do our best to prevent it from happening, but we can not provide guarantees against bleeding. Imperfections in knotting, color, and Variations in shape add to character of rug and its value.
Machine Woven
 Pattern can be seen on both sides of rug. Fringe is usually sewn on, edging is uniform, shape more perfect Can be immersion cleaned. Synthetic fibers will generally not bleed, natural fibers may – especially if there is urine.
Tufted
 Wool rug with plain cloth backing. Can not see pattern on back. Often have Chinese sculpted pattern, or oriental pattern. Many of the rugs from Ikea and pottery barn are tufted style.
 Rugs can not be immersion cleaned because there is a latex backing which is water soluble. Should not be steam cleaned as this will remove backing and may cause pile to pull free. Should be cleaned in plant so that rug can be fully dusted, and multpiple cleaning passes can be performed. Fringes must be cleaned in plant to prevent damage to household.
Flat Weave
 Often called Dhurries. Flat cotton or wool rug. Pattern can be seen on both sides of rug but there is no pile. Difficult if not impossible to tell top from bottom. Fringe is not sewn on but actually made of fibers that run entire length of carpet
 Can be immersion cleaned. Dyes can bleed during cleaning process. If there is urine in carpet this will cause bleeding – we will do our best to prevent it from happening, but we can not provide guarantees against bleeding. Imperfections in knotting, color, and variations in shape add to character of rug and its value.
Hooked
 Short loop pile with plain cloth backing. Can not see pattern on back.
 Rugs can not be immersion cleaned because there is a latex backing which is water soluble. Should not be steam cleaned as this will remove backing and may cause pile to pull free.
Should be cleaned in plant so that rug can be fully dusted, and multpiple cleaning passes can be performed. Fringes must be cleaned in plant to prevent damage to household.
Needlepoint
 Flat rug, no fring or pile. Pattern can be seen through bottom.
 Can be immersion cleaned. Dyes can bleed during cleaning process. If there is urine in carpet this will cause bleeding – we will do our best to prevent it from happening, but we can not provide guarantees against bleeding. Imperfections in knotting, color, and variations in shape add to character of rug and its value.
Braided
 Thick cords of cotton or wool coiled into shape of rug and stitched together.
 Can be immersion cleaned. Threads holding cords together often break. Look for and make note of any places where cords are pulling apart.
Shag/Leather
 Leather back, fur on top.
Animal skins
 We don’t clean this and recommend taking it to a drycleaner or taxidermist.
Sisal/Natural Fiber
 Hard rope like fiber made of grasses or coconut husks
 We don’t clean this type of rug.Can not be cleaned effectively. Dry cleaning compounds such as Host or Capture (sold by Home Depot) can be used, but are not very effective and sometimes leave a residue. Truly stained rugs should be replaced.