Expert: Jahann and Sons Persian Rugs - 11/18/2010

Question
I recently discovered that our cat threw up on one of our Afghan carpets.  What is the best way to clean this?

Answer
Hi Paula,

Sorry to hear about your rug!  The best way to clean Oriental rugs is to have it done professionally.  If you haven't had the rug cleaned in the last 5-7 years, then you're due anyway.  But, if you'd like to give it a go yourself, then my suggestion would be to first scrape up whatever is on the carpet, and then use cold water and a mild soap (like Ivory), to clean up the mess, making certain that you never completely saturate the rug, and that you use lots of white towels to blot as you go.  

Cat throw up is sometimes an issue because a lot of cat food has red dye in it, and that is tough to get out.  Afghani rug cleaning can be difficult because a lot of times these rugs are made on a wool foundation which can buckle when wet.  Either way, whether it is cleaned professionally, or you clean it yourself, you're going to want to have it washed with cold water and mild soap.  Any service or rentable machine that uses steam, hot water, or dry cleaning will not work on an Afghani rug.

I hope this information is helpful.

Best,
Katie

Jahann and Sons Persian Rugs
4210 Howard Ave
Kensington, MD 20895
301-530-6660 | www.jahannandsons.com