White Shag area rug

[sully]

Have a 10x10 rug to do for a friend . Just wondering how you get a sample to fiber test if they are watching you ? I don't think you want them to see you cut off a piece af their rug do you? Looks like it has synthetic backing. Want to OP it. Also it is on hardwood floor. Should I move it somewher else to clean it? Silly ?'s but I havn't done an area rug before. Doing it as sort of a favor and don't want to screw it up LOL. thanks

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[davidb]

You would definitely want to move it from the wood floor, or at least protect the floor prior to cleaning.
In my limited experience with OP I have had not so great success with shag, maybe someone else has better luck than me and detail their process for you.

[Cleantech]

just use the thicker glider Sully 
easy as pie
have you lifted one of the corners to check for a tag for material makeup?

yes like davidb said move it off the wood 

only thing that will give you problems is the tip of the corners for sure!.  If its giving you a huge problem ie bunching up etc just use your step son.
But, if its a thicker rug you may not have that problem 

take pictures !

[Bill Martins]

Or

Hook up with a local company that does rugs for a living, and has a rug plant.  This way not only you can do a bang up job, but look like the hero.  There's alot more training for rugs than wall to wall carpet.  The low moisture way works, but some rugs will need to be immersed and you can't do that w/ op or in people's home.  You can also charge for odor removal, and many other things, new padding, these things will need to be done at the plant. 

I make $.50-$4.00 profit like this, but that's what I think works for me.

Here's a tip, if you do in house rug cleaning, inspect the wood floors, chances are there might be some discoloration of the poly/stain, if you do it on people's wood floors, than they move the rug, they will blame you for it. 

[Cleantech]

where he lives there isnt a rug plant 

[Mike M]

I would want to remove it from the wood floor for cleaning if possible. Less chance of damage to the floor.

Do they have a garage or basement you could move it to?

[sully]

Thanks guys, I'll do it in the basement or garage. I haven't looked for a tag under the rug yet but if there isn't one I still have to steal some fibers for burn test. I'm thinking maybe it could be wool. Like to know for sure. BTW this friend is my daughter's future mother in law. Now you know the whole story LOL.

[noweare]

I just move it to a carpeted room and do it there.
For small area rugs I use my step son, put on my knee pads and use an encap.

[Mike M]

Instead of burning, you could try wetting a very small bit of carpet to see if it smells like a wet dog. That would be wool. 

Honestly so what if it is wool? Clean it with a reasonable PH and speed dry. Should be good to go.

John Bolton cleans a lot of wool in the UK. Maybe he can give us some tips on wool cleaning and ID?

Messing this area rug up could be a bad start for your family.  Somehow I don't think you'll have any problems. 

[sully]

Hmm. You said it exactly right Mike OMG!

[Bill Martins]

or you can just listen to them they seem to know their stuff what do i know...

just my opinion. 

[Cleantech]

hehe no thats great bill, just like i said
there isnt a rug plant around him thats ...close 

[Bill Martins]

What city is he in? He can probably contact Dusty and see if Dusty knows someone in or around his area.

[Cleantech]

Dusty?

[Bill Martins]

http://www.therughub.com

[John Bolton]

Sully,

As would be expected from someone with Mike's experience, he is spot on with the nose test.

What I would add is that synthetic pile (other than viscose rayon) will never be damaged by treating it as wool, whereas the converse is not true. So if in doubt, treat as wool!

[CACBServices]

Hey Sully, maybe tell the customer you will need to work on the rug at your house. Then you can do a burn test and take your time on the rug without anyone watching over your shoulder. BTW, a daughter's future mother in law? If you aren't pretty sure you can be the hero, maybe pass on this one just for that reason. If you don't pull it off, you may find yourself the brunt of family humor for all future extended family gatherings, or at least all of them that occur before the continental glaciers return north of 45 degrees north.

Eric