Nancy is going to clean her oriental rugs…..by herself.

Yeah….fat chance of that.

If you are the determined adventurous type, here are a few tips to help with cleaning oriental rugs. First, it’s a good idea to lift a corner and look at the rugs label.

Oriental rugs are made of various materials and each can require its own cleaning method. Cotton is the most common and easiest to clean. If you are not dealing with cotton call a professional such as Clean World Maintenance at 800-643-5850 or visit their website at http://cwminc.com

If you have cotton, begin by using a straw bristle broom sweeping in one direction from one end to the other. Now placing the rug on an empty area such as a concrete garage floor, vacuum the rug using the carpet tool. Repeat the process again, then turn the rug over and vacuum the underside. By the way, if the rug is an area rug you could hang the rug on a clothesline and beat it by hand to release the dust and debris. If you are going to do a complete clean rather that spot clean using your garden hose soak the rug first on one side then the other with cold water. Next, fill a bucket with cold water mixing about three tablespoons of a mild liquid soap or dish soap.

Using a saturated sponge, brush a small area and wait about ten minutes to see if this produces in adverse effects. If all is well, lather the rug in the direction of the nap so the fibers lay down. Suds up the entire surface and rinse with the garden hose. Remember to turn the rug over and rinse the other side. Now use a squeegee to squeeze out the water. (A fan can help.) You need to dry the rug thoroughly before placing it in its former spot.

I knew you could do it.