Cleaning & Care
The proper technique in cleaning your rug will vary greatly depending on the material and texture of the rug. We’ve listed a series of recommendations below for various types of rugs. These are only suggestions, and because stains are affected by a number of different conditions, Nourison cannot guarantee stain removal. If in doubt, please consult a professional rug cleaning service.
Cleaning & Care by Stains
a
ACIDS
Detergent or White Vinegar
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE
Detergent, white vinegar, or cleaning fluid
AMMONIA OR ALKALI
Detergent or white vinegar
b
BALLPOINT PEN INK
Methylated spirits or turpentine
BEER
Detergent or white vinegar
BLEACH
Detergent or white vinegar
BLOOD
Detergent, white vinegar, or starch paste
BURNING CIGARETTES
Brush off with a hard edge
BUTTER
Cleaning fluid
c
CANDY
Detergent, white vinegar, or scrape and vacuum
CHEWING GUM
Detergent, white vinegar, or cleaning fluid
CHOCOLATE
Detergent, white vinegar, or cleaning fluid
COFFEE
Glycerin
COSMETICS
Detergent, white vinegar, or cleaning fluid
CRAYON
Detergent, white vinegar, or cleaning fluid
e
EGG
Detergent or white vinegar
EXCREMENT (HUMAN)
Detergent or white vinegar
EXCREMENT (PET)
Call a reputable cleaner
f
FAT AND OIL
Blot with tissue, then use cleaning fluid
FRUIT AND JUICES
Detergent or white vinegar
FURNITURE POLISH
Detergent, white vinegar, or cleaning fluid
g
GLUE
Alcohol
GRASS
Methylated spirits
GRAVY
Detergent, white vinegar, or cleaning fluid
GREASE
Use cleaning fluid, or scrape and vacuum
h
HOUSEHOLD CEMENT
Detergent, white vinegar, or cleaning fluid
i
ICE CREAM
Detergent, white vinegar, or cleaning fluid
INK
Water only
IODINE
Alcohol
j
JAM
Lukewarm water
l
LIPSTICK
Lukewarm water
m
MEDICINE
Call a reputable cleaner
METAL POLISH
Detergent, white vinegar, or cleaning fluid*
MILDEW
Call a reputable cleaner
METAL POLISH
Detergent, white vinegar, or cleaning fluid*
MUD
Detergent or white vinegar
MUSTARD
Detergent or white vinegar
n
NAIL POLISH
Polish Remover
o
OILS
Cleaning fluid
p
PAINT
Detergent, white vinegar, or cleaning fluid*
PERFUME
Detergent, white vinegar, or cleaning fluid*
PERMANENT INK
Call a reputable cleaner
s
SALAD DRESSING
Detergent, white vinegar, or cleaning fluid*
SAUCES
Detergent, white vinegar, or cleaning fluid*
SHOE POLISH
Detergent, white vinegar, or cleaning fluid*
SOOT
Vacuum, then use cleaning fluid
t
TAR
Cleaning fluid
TEA
Detergent or white vinegar
u
URINE (HUMAN)
Detergent or white vinegar
URINE (PET)
Call a reputable cleaner
v
VOMIT
Detergent, white vinegar, or cleaning fluid*
*If recommended procedure is not effective, call a reputable cleaner, particularly for complex stains. Don’t wait for annual cleaning, since it may be too late by then to remove the stain.
Cleaning & Care by Fibers
NEW ZEALAND WOOL
WOOL
RAYON
COTTON
NYLON
FAUX SILK
ACRYLIC
POLYACRYLIC
MODACRYLIC
POLYESTER
POLYPROPYLENE
SHAG
Cleaning Recommendations
- Always use a professional cleaning service. Consumer self-cleaning methods are discouraged.
- Clean spills immediately by blotting with a clean sponge or cloth.
- Vacuum regularly.
- Avoid use of beater-bar type vacuum as they may cause yarns to pull or snag. If snagging does occur, avoid pulling yarn knots out of surface pile.
Care and Maintenance
- Rug pads are recommended for use with all rugs to help extend the rug's life and protect the surface underneath.
- Pile shedding is a normal characteristic of quality area rugs, particularly with wool and other natural fibers.
HAIR ON HIDE
LEATHER
COWHIDE
SUEDE LEATHER
Cleaning Recommendations
- Always use a professional cleaning service. Consumer self-cleaning methods are discouraged.
- Vacuum regularly on the lowest setting. Vacuums with beater bars are not recommended.
- Clean spills immediately by wiping smoothly in the direction of the hair with a slightly damp cloth, using mild soap and water.
Care and Maintenance
- Rug pads are recommended for use with all rugs to help extend the rug's life and protect the surface underneath.
- Pile shedding is a normal characteristic of quality area rugs, particularly with wool and other natural fibers.
- Natural skin rugs are not recommended for areas with heavy foot traffic.
JUTE
SISAL
Cleaning Recommendations
- Clean spills immediately with a dab of water and a soft bristle rug. Scrape solid spills with a dull knife, then brush with a stiff bristle brush. Blot liquid spills – do not rub.
- Do not steam clean or wet shampoo your jute rug. Plant fibers are highly absorbent, so they are subject to some shrinking and puckering when exposed to liquids or excessive dampness. Dry wet spills immediately with fan or hair dryer.
- Vacuum regularly on both sides of the rug.
- Always use a professional cleaning service. Consumer self-cleaning methods are discouraged.
Care and Maintenance
- Rug pads are recommended for use with all rugs to help extend the rug's life and protect the surface underneath.
- Pile shedding is a normal characteristic of quality area rugs, particularly with wool and other natural fibers.
VISCOSE
LUXCELLE™
BAMBOO-EXTRUDED SILK-LIKE FIBERS
Cleaning Recommendations
- Vacuum regularly. Vacuums with beater bars are not recommended.
- Avoid pulling yarn knots out of surface pile.
- Always use a professional cleaning service. Consumer self-cleaning methods are discouraged. Carpet can easily stain and yellow with improper cleaning chemicals.
- For spills, blot the affected area with white paper towels or a clean white terry cloth towel. Moisture will weaken the fiber, and rubbing could then cause breaking or damage.
- After blotting stains, groom by combing the face of the rug in the direction of the pile with a soft brush. The pile may look flatter and more reflective afterward.
- Once the stained area is dry, re-brush the fiber to regain original texture.
Care and Maintenance
- Rug pads are recommended for use with all rugs to help extend the rug's life and protect the surface underneath.