How to clean a silk rug

Carpets, especially exquisitely crafted silk rugs, can perfectly reflect our quality of life. Like many other silk enthusiasts, I was also a beginner who loved buying silk rugs a few years ago. Among them, the latest Qum Silk 2024 from France has always been my favorite.

After using them for a long time, I started to learn how to clean a silk rug – talk about perfection! So today I specially wrote this blog about how to clean a silk rug (very detailed), hoping it will help my fans. After testing and adjusting the cleaning methods many times, I spend a lot of time and energy, sometimes even giving up my entertainment time, so let’s take a look at some of the best cleaning methods

The Importance of Cleaning Silk Rugs

If there is one thing to know before cleaning silk rugs at home, it is: the importance of cleaning silk rugs. I will do my best to prepare for cleaning silk rugs. For this I must let every silk rug enthusiast understand the importance of cleaning a silk rug. Below I have listed the benefits of cleaning silk rugs:

How Do You Clean a Silk Rug at Home?

Now that we know the importance of cleaning silk rugs, next we need to start cleaning.

Let’s first turn our attention to the silk rugs I chose – silk rugs. Although exquisite, these rugs also presented unique challenges requiring more delicate cleaning methods than regular rugs. Of course, this may make some people’s brains hurt.

First, we need to vacuum the rugs to remove dust on the silk rugs (this step is very important, because large amounts of dirt will cause a lot of trouble for us during the cleaning process)

Set your vacuum cleaner to the appropriate height setting for the rug’s pile height. Turn off any beater bars or rotating brushes on the vacuum – the brush roll can snag and pull the silk fibers. Vacuum the rug in sections, moving in the direction of the pile rather than against it. Gently push and pull the vacuum head across the rug’s surface using long, smooth strokes. Avoid applying excessive pressure, as this can distort the rug’s shape over time, you can use a variety of cleaning products to clean it below

Gentle cleaning solution specially formulated for silk

When ready to treat the stain, prepare a mild cleaning solution specifically formulated for silk. I do this by mixing a small amount of mild, pH-neutral soap or detergent with water,

If you want better cleaning results, you can also choose a mild cleaner certified by Leaping Bunny. This is the safest way in my opinion.

Next Gently dab the cleaning solution onto the stain using a clean cloth. Avoid vigorously rubbing, as this can damage the rug’s delicate fibers. Let the solution sit for a few minutes to lift the stain, then blot with a dry section of the cloth.

For stubborn stains, you may need to reapply the cleaning solution and blot again. But be cautious not to oversaturate the rug. When finished, gently blot the area with cool water to rinse, then blot dry with a towel. Be careful with this step Because if the moisture is not absorbed, mold will grow

Remove odors from silk carpets

Using CARPET SHAMPOO to clean the map is even simpler, you only need to follow the following steps

1.Allow the shampoo to sit for 5-10 minutes, so it can start dissolving stains.

2.Use a stiff brush or broom to gently scrub the carpet and work up a lather with the shampoo.

3.Scrub heavily soiled areas thoroughly to fully lift out stains, but avoid excessive force.

4.Take turns scrubbing in different directions to hit the carpet fibers from all angles.

5.After scrubbing, use a vacuum to suck up the dry shampoo containing lifted dirt to prevent residue.

6.Pour warm water on any heavily soiled areas to rinse away stubborn buildup.

7.Blot rinsed areas with clean towels to absorb moisture.

8.Allow the carpet to fully air dry before walking on it.

Remove odors from silk carpets

1.Use white vinegar

White vinegar has bactericidal and odor-removing properties. You can mix 1 cup of white vinegar with 1 liter of warm water, dip a sponge into the solution and pat the surface and corners of the carpet gently.

2.Sprinkle tea tree oil powder

Tea tree oil purifies the air and has a long-lasting fragrance. Tea tree oil powder can be spread evenly on the carpet surface and allowed to work overnight. Then vacuum up the powder.

Can a silk carpet be washed with water?

risk of staining

The main problem with cleaning silk carpets with water is that the dye may bleed or run off. Many antique and vintage silk rugs are dyed with vegetable or aniline dyes. While beautiful, these natural dyes are unstable and water-soluble.

If you soak an old silk carpet in water or scrub it vigorously, there is a high risk that the dye will break down and disperse from the fibers. This can cause permanent discoloration and damage to your carpet. Colors may blend together, resulting in an undesirable muddy appearance.

Sunlight can also bleach and fade the color of vegetable dyes over time. Washing with water will make these fugitive dyes break down more easily.

Possibility of shrinkage

In addition to dye issues, soaking silk rugs in water can cause the fibers to shrink. Silk fibers are protein-based, and excess moisture can cause them to shrink and tighten.

Shrinkage changes the hand-woven structure of the rug and may distort the overall shape. Due to uneven shrinkage, the carpet may bow or have curled edges. These changes cannot be reversed.