Does Your Area Rug Need Cleaning?
The Perfect Solution to Area Rug Cleaning
Over time, your area rug suffers much more than just foot traffic. Over time, your rug may suffer from food spills, wine accidents, dirt, grime, even urine and pet poo are not uncommon. Professional carpet cleaning can be expensive so it is a good idea to keep that area rug looking and smelling good between professional cleanings. With Nok-Out, (or SNiPER) area rug cleaning is something you can do to keep that rug in good condition.
Nok-Out? Or SNiPER?
Nok-Out removes odors and is a good all purpose cleaner. SNiPER is also an all purpose cleaner that both removes odors and can sanitize. With a ph of 8.5 our products are gentle, green cleaners. They are both non-abrasive and non-corrosive. When applied correctly, area rug cleaning is easy and thorough.
What is Your Rug Made Of?
Modern area rugs and carpets that are made of synthetics are robust and colorfast – most of the time. Not always! The first time you use Nok-Out or SNiPER for area rug cleaning, test that the dyes are robust. Take a soft white cloth and wrap a bit of it around your index fingertip. Spray that fingertip until it is wet and then rub the wet fingertip on the fibers in an inconspicuous place. If any dye transfers to the white cloth, the colors are not robust and some fading may occur if you proceed. Natural fibers such as silk, cotton and wool need to be tested carefully. When cleaning rugs made of natural fibers, it is a good idea to dilute by 2 parts water to 1 part Nok-Out or SNiPER.
Weekly Cleaning
Every week, as part of your ordinary housecleaning, visually inspect the rug carefully and if it needs it, use a plastic hand scraper to gently loosen any little bits that may be stuck to the fibers in your rug. Then, a good vacuuming can pick up any debris remaining. If possible, roll the rug over and vacuum both under the rug and the back matting of the rug.
Use Nok-Out or SNiPER that has been diluted by 2 parts water to spray any spots you see. Allow up to 5 minutes for activation. Spray again and use a cloth to gently wipe the area to see if the spots lift.
Note: If a spot cleans away – that’s what it is – a spot. If it cannot be cleaned away, it is a stain. Stains are permanent, spots are not.
Monthly Area Rug Cleaning
1. Follow the weekly cleaning above.
2. Spray the rug, both sides with dilute SNiPER or Nok-Out. Allow to dry for five minutes, or till dry to the touch. Sponge dry any remaining moisture, if present.
3. Spray flooring with Nok-Out and allow drying for up to five minutes. Remove any excess moisture with a dry, clean cloth before replacing the rug.
4. Using Nok-Out or SNiPER, spray a stream directly on stains. Massage in. Change trigger spray to a mist. Spray the entire rug (both sides). This step may be omitted, if there are no visible stains remaining.
5. Allow to air dry. Sponge any remaining moisture with a clean cloth, and replace rug.
Every Six Months
This task should be done at least two times per year.
1. Follow steps 1 through 4 above. Begin on the back side of the rug. Spray heavily with SNiPER or Nok-Out. Allow ten minutes to dry completely. If stains are visible on the rug, apply a stream of Nok-Out Carpet Cleaner. Dry, as above.
2. When the back of the rug is dry to the touch, turn the carpet over.
3. Visually inspect rug for stains. If present, spray a stream of Nok-Out on the stain. While it is drying, spray entire carpet with SNiPER or Nok-Out. Allow to air dry. Inspect for any remaining stains. Re-apply as needed.
How is This Different From Carpet Cleaning?
Carpets are held in place using tack strips and cannot be turned over easily. Area rug cleaning is far easier because you can access the back of the rug by simply turning it over. If you are interested, see our carpet cleaning article here.
Area Rug cleaning is not difficult and if you spend a little time on it periodically, you can keeep that area rug looking good on your floor for many years.
Questions?
If you have any questions regarding how to apply Nok-Out, or SNiPER® check out our How To Articles or, call Ted Price toll free at 866.551.1927.