Oriental Rug Protector – Why It’s Necessary

For our video on rug protector click here.

One of our most popular services at Oriental Rug Salon is applying rug protectors for fine wool and silk rugs. We apply this service for rug retailers prior to a rug being sold, for consumers once they’ve purchased an Oriental or Persian rug, and for clients who have had their rugs cleaned at our facilities.

Below we’ll explain why it’s a necessary element of the rugs care and maintenance cycle.

What Is A ‘Rug Protector”?

After your area rug has received a thoroughly exhaustive hand washing, you will have the option to apply a rug protector treatment to the face fibers and fringe. This service involves using a solution that contains an organic hydrocarbon compound designed to repel spills and dry soil.

How Does It Work?

In simple terms, the hydrocarbon works by creating a solid molecular bond that surrounds the fibers of your area rug.  Regardless if the spill is water or oil-based, accidents will not immediately penetrate the rug fibers. This gives you enough time to remove the spill by using a clean paper towel.

Will My Rug Look Of Feel Different Once Protected?

No. There is absolutely no way to tell that a rug has been protected by looking at it or touching it.

Will It Make My Rug Stain Resistant?

A common misconception about fabric protector treatments is that they make the fibers stain resistant. This isn’t the case. Don’t expect to spill a glass of wine on your rug; ignore it, and find your cherished textile in pristine condition when it has dried.  Quality wool and silk protector applications are designed to buy the rug owner time to remove the spill before permanent staining can occur.

That said, the benefits of having your area rug protected are significant.

Why Should I Have My Rug Treated?

You Can Deal With Spills Easily – Our clients often ask what they can do themselves at home to keep their rugs in pristine condition. One of the easiest things you can do in dealing with spills and stains is to apply a quality fiber protector and vacuum your area rug regularly.

Your Rug Will Last Longer –  Rugs don’t just wear and age on their own. It takes soil, spills, and abrasion over time. So the less dirt and spills that penetrate the pile of your rug, the longer it will last. Rug protector will also allow you to achieve a “deeper clean” when vacuuming as soils can not easily stick to protected fibers.

You Will Save Money – The cost to have your rug protected is minimal compared to the value you receive by not having to pay for an emergency professional cleaning every time you spill something. Your rug will cost you less in the long run.

Our Experience Protecting Persian & Oriental Rugs

We successfully treat thousands of natural hand-knotted rugs annually. We’ve treated rugs for museums, businesses, hotels, rug collectors, interior designers, retailers, and rug owners throughout SW Florida.

Our service is not limited to wool. We can protect silks, art silks (including bamboo and other types of viscose/rayon), cotton, nylon, and tapestries.

How We Apply Rug Protector

  • We have different protectors for different material types such as wool, silk, Viscose, etc. We do not use a “one size fits all” solution.
  • To ensure complete fiber protection, we are methodical in our approach to applying the treatments. We carefully brush the product into the rug face yarns, foundation, and fringe to ensure complete coverage and absorption of the protector.  Once the application has dried, it is applied a second time. That’s right; we apply it twice.
  • Once the treatment has cured, we test a few areas on the rug to ensure efficacy.

Oriental Rug Salon is a Certified Partner with the prestigious Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and the International Carpet & Rug Institute.  We are a WoolSafe Approved Service Provider, A+ Rated by the Better Business Bureau, and an eight-year-in-a-row-winner of the coveted Angie’s Lst Super Service Award.

In addition to our Oriental and Persian rug fiber protector treatments, we also offer rug cleaning by hand, Oriental and Persian rug storage, area rug repairs, and appraisals.

For more information about Oriental Rug Salon, please visit us online at www.OrientalRugSalon.com or “call us on the carpet” any time at 239-424-8171.

You can also visit us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/OrientalRugSalon

If you ever have any questions concerning your area rug’s care and maintenance, please feel free to contact us. We’re always happy to advise.