Has anyone ever attempted to clean a persian rug? I assume it should be steam cleaned?
We have a Yorkshire Terrier and when we first got him and were trying to house train he would occasionally pee on the dinning room rug. This 2 lb puppy would urinate such small amount that it was not easy to notice untill days later of which it was too late.
Ok onto to how to clean, there are two rugs sizes 9' X 12' and we got an estimate to professionally clean them in the amount of $1500.00. Say What!
Has anyone ever attempted this on there own?
I have LOTS of experience with this, and have asked about cleaning Chinese rugs on this forum as you can clean those by yourself IF you know what to do. I didn't even with researching, so I paid someone to do those also.
IF those rugs are ancient and vegetable dyed do NOT touch them yourself. I have no idea what size city you are in, but--if it is a major one--find an oriental rug dealer or dealers and start asking who cleans rugs the best.
Here is my recent experience: I called a guy I was turned onto. Yes, he is Persian/Iranian and deals in rugs and would clean my 8x10 vegetable dyed rug and 2 Chinese rugs (6x8 each) for $750. I have had these rugs cleaned every 2 years or so for 25 years as that is about how much you have to clean them if they get alot of wear.
OK, so I start thinking that is pretty high as it should be around $450. I make some calls via phone book to anyone who sounds like they sell oriental rugs and are Persian themselves or of that descent. And what do I find? A guy who's family has been in this business for generations who does all the cleaning for the other two strictly oriental rug places in this town--who offers to do all 3 rugs for $440!!! The $750 guy just sends the rugs to him, and I can do that myself obviously.
Look around!!! $1,500 is a pure, blatant rip-off.
If you cannot find anyone in your area that does it, if it were me, I still would NOT touch it myself. Why? I spilled coffee on my good vegetable dyed rug and--not knowing any better--cleaned it with cleaning fluid and it pulled the color out of the rug, hence, lowered the value of a $6,000 oriental rug. Not smart and I ever will forgive myself for the stupidity.
The color is somewhat faded on the edge where I cleaned it now, and, to visitors, they probably don't even notice it. But I notice it. It's like the elephant in the room to me. Too late now..sigh.
To clean an oriental rug that is vegetable dyed professionally that is 8x10 or so it should cost about $220+/- and NOT $1,500, and my 2 6x8 Chinese rugs ran $110 apiece to clean. Don't use this rip-off but don't, please, try and do it yourself as you could unintentionally ruin that rug. And I am quoting prices that it usually goes for in a major metro (I've had these done in Chicago, Phoenix and Houston), so these are major metro prices.*
If it is a machine made rug and not all that valuable, I know you can clean it yourself as it is not made with vegetable dyes. Then just search around for a good rug cleaning piece of equipment and solution. Handle it like a carpet then.
*I just noticed you are in Ontario. You should have some good luck there. And remember: size of the rug makes a huge difference in pricing.
NOW FOR THE BAD NEWS: Once a dog pees on a rug you cannot get it out. Ever. Give up the dream.
My mother's miniature poodle peed on one of my seafoam colored Chinese rugs--top of the line and should have lasted for centuries--and the cleaner can get rid of the smell and fade the yellow stain somewhat, but the stain will never ever go away completely. Yeah...I know..disappointing, huh? I thought the same, but, after checking with antique dealers and other cleaners, realized it was a lost cause; so, my rug is now halfway under the guest room bed where I am hiding most of the yellow staining.