Rug guy here

[rider1986]

I have worked for a company that specializes  in rug cleaning for 2 years.If anybody has questions on wool,jute,sisal,silk,etc, I will be more then glad to help you out.Obviously rugs are more difficult to clean and thanks to dealing with thousand of then I am more then able to lend a hand.

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[ChemBright]

Awesome!
Question #1
What is the best way to clean a silk rug?

Question #2
What is the best way you have found to clean fringe and what chem has worked the best for you?

Thanks....

[rider1986]

1st a silk rug can only be dry cleaned obviously.It is a very cruel process of a real good vacuum a dry fiber very mild pre spray and a mild extraction.We use to charged them the same to clean a silk rug as to clean wool oriental its not right.The results are terrible no matter what you do.Fibers mat on a silk rug from any water and will never be the same.Clean it like a dry clean furniture piece.2nd question fringe my favorite.Many different things can come into play with tea dyed fringe and colored fringe.Your typical fringe I suggest the hattion  cotton cleaner and be careful it has a bleach chemical in it do not let it on the rug and guess what don't rinse it will do the work.Or dare i say BLEACH yes it works.Leave it on for  about two minutes when the fringe begins to lighten rinse rinse rinse.This is a last resort.I know it seems scary bleach eats cotton I know,but this is how the real rug cleaners do it.Make sure its a four to one solution though.You can use straight bleach it works faster and better,but its a safety thing when I did it.   

[ChemBright]

Thanks man! What about using a vapor steamer on a silk rug? Would that work? I have a vapor steamer with vac.

[rider1986]

Haven't tried it the  company I worked for used a dry clean machine only and they have been around for over 60 years and are considered number 1 in a lot of things as far as cleaning.Not treating people good though lol.If you use it on dry clean furniture it would make sense.

[rider1986]

always groom the rug too.It almost is the most important part of the hole cleaning process.This is also the same process on a rayon rug as well.

[John Bolton]

On a recent advanced rug cleaning course we organised I saw Ellen Amirkan ( co-author of this book http://www.whynotad.com/advertising/oriental-amp-specialist-rug-cleaning-course# clean an antique silk rug by presure washing with cold water.

I too have wet-cleaned many silk rugs but I would not recommend it anyone not properly trained and experienced.

What I do not do is to use a peroxide bleaching agent on cotton fringes.

[Mike Charles]

Your normal rug cleaning shampoo should be sufficient for cleaning fringes, unless there is a problem stain that will not come out. Bleach, peroxides, etc. and cotton fringe are an area where it can get away from you, and you buy your customer new fringe for their rug.

MOST fringes are not ultra white, cotton is not that color unless it has been bleached.

You need to educate your customers not to expect the fringe to be as white as their tightey whiteys....

[rider1986]

I agree orvus and cold/hot (depending on colorfastness) water should be enough,and by saying discolored Fringe and qualifying it properly should be enough.I have heard pressure washing is possible, as well as rug pits.However most carpet cleaners don't have this at hand.The bleach thing like I said is last resort. Chemspecs hattion cotton cleaner works awesome on that tough dingy fringe.All those comments are for average guys who doesn't have the capabilities of a rug plant. You all know you will have that customer that says my fringe was whiter then that when I gave it to you for those I say BLEACH IT CAREFULLY and never work for them again.Nothing will make them happy.