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I just got through cleaning a 19 x 14 woven wool rug. It was made into yarn and then hand woven like a rag rug. The rug was over 50 years old. Because of the size we did not open up the rug until we got it home. It was well worn, had some places coming loose and was stained in the lightest color in the rug. The colors interlocked tan and red or tan and green or blue and tan. The outer part of the rug looked brand new and the color held fast. the inner worn part made two nasty pink stains. Only in two places though. I took it back and was glad I did not have to replace the rug. Has anybody ever cleaned one that big and how many places do you check the color fastness befor you soak the rug? The woman also remembered the rug being much newer looking than it really was. Cody was right always open up the rug before you leave and always test the color. I think I will take pictures from now on also.
Jamie
Of the 3 primary colors (red, blue, yellow), red will bleed the easiest, then yellow, then blue (hence why we have a product called red dye remover, not blue dye remover as red will be the easiest to remove). So, I always check the reds/pinks first and any variation of those colors. I will usually check at least one or two other colors if the red doesn’t bleed just to be safe. Also, the rug fiber is a big factor on color bleeding. You should be safe with most nylon and definitely safe with olefin/polypropelene rugs. Wool is the big one to worry about as many of them have dyes that are not properly set in. Good advice on always inspecting the rugs before cleaning, and especially before taking from the customer’s house if you’re doing off-site cleaning.
In a referral group meeting this morning, a lady mentioned to the group a lead that she had given me a week ago.
The potential customer had a large oriental, wool, ols (60-70 years old) and it was very dirty, having meen stored about 25 years. This rug was worn a little here and there, but in good shape.
She knew about color fastness and the difficulty in potentially cleaning this monster and I suggested that she might contact another, (the largest) cleaner in the area and see what they might have to say about cleaning.
Long story short….
At the end of the meeting this morning, the member recounted much of the above further stating that the lady appreciated my comments and suggestions and integrity by not tackling something I was not positive about and risking bad results.
The lady is a chiropractor and I bet I will get some referrals from her.
BEWARE!!!!! Some of these orientals are very, very expensive!!!!
Not sure. I really did nothing wrong but if she insists I will replace. I hope I never find out, what it costs.
I have one customer that has many wool rugs. Some of them are worth 5-8,000. I do them 1-2 x each year, and no problems. Of course they are not that dirty in the first place; they are used in the formal rooms.
Matt
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