If you own silk rugs, then chances are you have had a problem with cleaning them. No matter what type of rug you own, how often it is vacuumed, or how clean your home is, there is still a chance that silk rugs will get dirty from time to time.
Cleaning silk rugs is an important part of maintaining the beauty and cleanliness of your rug. Though they may seem delicate, they are actually very easy to care for.
How to clean silk rugs depends on how dirty they are. Sometimes, you will only need to use a damp cloth as a surface cleaner. In others, you’ll need to use an all-purpose fabric cleaner.
If your silk rug looks dingy and dusty, it may need a good cleaning. If this is the case, then read on for some handy tips on how to clean silk rugs.
How To Clean Silk Rugs?
| Methods | Estimated Required Time |
| Remove Dirt From Silk Rug | 1-2 hours |
| Spot Clean The Silk Rug | 6-12 hours |
| Remove Odors From The Silk Rug | 12-48 hours |
| Professional Cleaning | 12-48 hours |
Step 1: Remove Dirt From Silk Rug
Required Tools
- Vacuum.
- Broom.
Steps
- Regularly vacuum silk rugs.
- Silk rugs should be vacuumed with a brushless suction head.
- Beater or roller brushes have the potential to remove fibers, diminish piles, and harm rugs.
- Sweep a broom over silk rugs.
- To protect the rug’s fibers, gently sweep it.
- Toss the rug.
- Shake off any dirt and particles by dragging the carpeting outside.
- In addition, this will allow the rug to air out and remove any odors.
Step 2: Spot Clean The Silk Rug
Required Tools
- Spoon.
- Clean cloth.
- Club soda.
- White vinegar.
Steps
- Before stains set in and cling to the silk fibers, remove them right away.
- Clear up any solid spills.
- Use a spoon to gently scoop out any solid waste from the rug, being careful not to damage its fibers.
- Any scraping motion can tear silk fibers.
- Apply a clean, white cloth gently to the stained area to absorb as much liquid as possible.
- To erase the color from stains, use club soda.
- Blot the spot after adding club soda with a clean cloth.
- Any extra club soda can be absorbed with a dry cloth.
- Let the area dry naturally.
- A silk rug may become damaged by heat, so avoid using a hair dryer or other heat sources to dry the surface.
- Apply a solution of white vinegar and water in equivalence to remove stains.
- Dab the stain with vinegar and water mixture with a clean cloth.
- After wiping away any extra solution with a dry cloth, let the area air dry.
Step 3: Remove Odors From The Silk Rug
Required Tools
- Baking soda.
- Vacuum.
- White vinegar.
- Clean cloth.
Steps
- To get rid of odors from silk rugs, use baking soda. A range of surfaces, including fabrics, can be deodorized with baking soda.
- On the rug, sprinkle baking soda.
- Give the baking soda an hour or so to soak.
- Use a vacuum brushless suction head to clean the rug.
- If your silk carpets have odors, use a vinegar and water mixture to get rid of them. Vinegar’s mild acidity makes it useful for killing bacteria and eliminating smells.
- In a spray bottle, combine vinegar and water in equal parts.
- Apply a thin layer of vinegar and water mix to the rug.
- Gently wipe the rug with a dry, clean cloth.
Step 4: Professional Cleaning
- Choose a trustworthy, experienced rug cleaning company to clean silk rugs.
- Inquire as to how the silk rug will be cleaned since silk cannot be subjected to heat or chemicals.
- Silk carpets should be washed with a detergent designed specifically for silk fibers on both the front and back surfaces.
- Most rug cleaners will thoroughly dust, then pre-treat to remove stains and hand wash the silk rugs.
10 Tips For Cleaning Silk Rugs
- At the very least once every week, vacuum your silk area rugs.
- Your silk rugs should be cleaned at least once every six months. It’s crucial to use the right shampoo on this kind of fabric.
- Bleach Should Not Be Used To Clean Silk Rugs.
- Use a gentle detergent to clean your rug thoroughly.
- Avoid letting water sit on the silk surface for too long while cleaning it because doing so can harm the rug’s fibers.
- When cleaning a silk rug, it is best to roll it in several directions to ensure that all surfaces are thoroughly cleansed.
- Use vinegar and baking soda to wash your silk rug because they are natural cleaning agents that won’t damage the rug’s fabric.
- You can also use the upholstery nozzle of your vacuum cleaner to get rid of dirt, dust, and other debris from your silk rug.
- While a softer cloth could be better at eliminating dirt built over time, an upholstery brush works best for removing more difficult stains.
- Wipe the area with a clean towel or a similar appropriate piece of fabric while applying light pressure.
What Not To Do While Cleaning Silk Rugs
- Avoid using enzymatic cleaners, which break down protein-based stains using enzymes.
- Avoid using hot water or steam since heat will make silk shrink.
- To prevent destroying the rug’s fibers, don’t wring or scrape it.
- To prevent the rug from permanently losing its shape, don’t bundle or stretch it.
- Never consider using chlorine bleach on silk; the color will fade and the fibers will also be destroyed.
- Do not soak the rug in water.
Final Words
Silk rugs are unmatched by other materials for their inherent sheen and silky, smooth texture.
This option is a remarkably robust material that is mostly made of a protein known as fibroin. Silk fibers can even be compared with steel yarn in terms of tensile strength.
However, it’s crucial to understand the proper cleaning methods for silk rugs. When wet, silk fibers lose a significant amount of their strength. They are also not very elastic and easily damaged by heat, harsh chemicals, and abrasion.
So it is really important that you follow the instructions I have provided in this article, and you should be good to go.
FAQ
Are silk rugs good investments that pay off?
YES. A silk rug is a wise purchase because it will last for many years and is resilient. These rugs are very elegant and may give any space a touch of refinement.
They are the ideal area rug for offices or rooms with heavy usage. Their appearance will improve more if you take care of them.
A lovely silk rug can be used to beautify your house and placed in your entrance hallway.
Can a silk rug get wet?
YES. So never ever let water sit on a silk rug. When wet, silk fibers lose a significant amount of their strength.