Oriental & Area Rug Cleaning in Our Abington Plant
Professional In-Plant Rug Cleaning for Oriental Rugs, Persian Rugs & Fine Area Rugs
Not all rugs should be cleaned the same way, and many fine rugs deserve more than a quick cleaning in the home. At Alec’s Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning LLC, we provide professional in-plant rug cleaning for Oriental rugs, Persian rugs, wool rugs, cotton rugs, antique rugs, needlepoints, border rugs, designer rugs, and many other specialty area rugs at our Abington rug cleaning plant.
Our plant-based rug cleaning process allows us to inspect, dust, treat, wash, rinse, dry, groom, and evaluate rugs in a more controlled setting than is possible with most in-home cleaning. That can be especially important for rugs with heavy soil buildup, fringe issues, specialty fibers, spill-related staining, odor problems, or constructions that require special handling.
Alec built our Abington rug cleaning facility in 1979 specifically for cleaning and drying area rugs properly, and it remains a central part of our business today.
Why Fine Rugs Are Often Better Cleaned in a Rug Plant
Many rugs can look fairly clean on the surface while still holding a tremendous amount of dry soil, grit, dust, pet dander, spills, and other contaminants deep in the foundation. That is especially true with Oriental rugs, wool rugs, hand-knotted rugs, needlepoints, border rugs, and larger area rugs that have been in use for years.
For many of these rugs, in-plant cleaning is the better approach because it allows us to work on the rug more thoroughly and under controlled conditions.
Plant cleaning is often the best choice when a rug needs:
- Thorough dry soil removal
- Careful inspection for stains, wear, odor, fringe issues, or other concerns
- Special treatment for problem areas
- Full cleaning and thorough rinsing
- Controlled drying
- Fringe cleaning
- Blocking or reshaping after cleaning
- Recleaning of wick-back areas if needed during drying
- Final grooming and inspection before return
Rugs We Commonly Clean in Our Plant
We clean many types of rugs in our Abington facility, including:
- Oriental rugs
- Persian rugs
- Wool rugs
- Cotton rugs
- Antique rugs
- Hand-knotted rugs
- Needlepoint rugs
- Border rugs
- Designer rugs
- Custom area rugs
- Many other specialty rugs
Some rugs are suitable for on-site cleaning, but many fine rugs benefit from being picked up and cleaned in our plant where the process can be controlled much more carefully.
Our In-Plant Rug Cleaning Process
Not every rug receives the exact same treatment. The cleaning process depends on the fiber, dye stability, construction, condition, level of soiling, and any special problems the rug may have. But in general, our in-plant rug cleaning process includes the following steps:
1. Inspection and Evaluation
Each rug is evaluated for fiber type, construction, dye concerns, wear patterns, stains, odor issues, fringe condition, and any areas that may require special attention.
2. Dry Soil Removal
Before washing, we work to remove as much dry soil and abrasive grit as possible. This step is extremely important because rugs can hold a tremendous amount of dry particulate matter that ordinary vacuuming does not remove.
3. Special Treatment of Problem Areas
If a rug has spots, stains, pet issues, traffic areas, fringe discoloration, or other concerns, those areas may be treated individually before the full cleaning process begins.
4. Full Cleaning and Soil Removal
The rug is then cleaned using the method that is most appropriate for that specific rug. The goal is to remove as much remaining soil and contamination as possible while treating the fibers and dyes carefully.
5. Thorough Rinsing
After cleaning, the rug is rinsed thoroughly to help remove suspended soil, cleaning agents, and residue from the fibers.
6. Softened Water for Better Cleaning and Rinsing
The water we use for rug cleaning passes through a water softener before it is used in the cleaning process. This helps improve both cleaning and rinsing, allowing soils and cleaning agents to flush more effectively from the fibers.
Softened water also helps reduce the effect of hard-water minerals that can otherwise remain in the rug and contribute to a stiffer feel after drying. The result is a rug that is cleaner, better rinsed, and less likely to feel harsh from mineral residue.
7. Controlled Drying
Proper drying is a critical part of rug cleaning. Rugs need to be dried carefully to help avoid problems such as lingering odor, browning, distortion, or dye-related issues.
8. Recleaning if Wick-Back Appears
When rugs have been affected by heavy spills or staining, there is always the possibility that some discoloration may wick back during drying. One of the advantages of plant cleaning is that if wick-back appears, we can address those areas again and reclean them while the rug is still in the plant.
9. Blocking When Needed
Some rugs—especially needlepoints and border rugs—may require blocking after cleaning. Blocking helps restore the rug’s shape and improve how it lays after the cleaning and drying process. This is something that can be done properly in the plant but generally cannot be addressed during ordinary in-home cleaning.
10. Fringe Cleaning and Final Grooming
Fringe often requires separate attention, and this is another area where plant cleaning has a major advantage. We can clean fringe more thoroughly in the plant and then perform a final inspection and grooming before the rug is returned.
Why Dry Soil Removal Matters So Much
One of the biggest problems in area rugs is the amount of dry soil and grit that can accumulate deep in the foundation over time.
That dry soil is not harmless. Under foot traffic, it can act like an abrasive inside the rug, contributing to wear, dulling the appearance of the fibers, and shortening the life of the rug. Proper rug cleaning is not just about washing the surface — it is also about removing as much embedded dry soil as possible before and during the cleaning process.
Important Advantages of In-Plant Rug Cleaning
There are several things that can be addressed in a rug plant that are difficult or impossible to do properly during ordinary in-home cleaning.
Fringe Cleaning
Fringe often needs individual attention and more thorough cleaning than can realistically be done during an in-home cleaning.
Blocking for Needlepoints and Border Rugs
Certain rugs, especially needlepoints and border rugs, may need to be blocked after cleaning so they dry in the proper shape and lay correctly.
Controlled Drying
Drying is one of the most important parts of rug cleaning. In our plant, we can control the drying process much more effectively than in a home environment.
Recleaning Wick-Back Areas
If a rug has been affected by heavy spills, stain wick-back may show up during drying. In the plant, those areas can be addressed again far more easily than they can in a home.
Softened Water for Cleaner, Softer Results
Because our wash water is softened before cleaning, it helps us clean and rinse rugs more thoroughly and reduces mineral residue that can leave fibers feeling stiff.
A More Careful Approach for Valuable Rugs
Fine rugs are often among the most valuable textile furnishings in a home. Some are decorative investments, some are heirlooms, and some are simply rugs that a homeowner wants to preserve because they are beautiful, expensive, or difficult to replace.
That is why we do not treat every rug like an ordinary piece of floor covering. We take the time to evaluate the rug, choose an appropriate cleaning approach, address problem areas individually, and clean it in a setting where the process can be controlled.
Pickup Available for Fine Area Rugs
For rugs that are best cleaned in our plant, we can arrange pickup and return service. This allows homeowners to have valuable rugs cleaned properly without trying to manage transportation themselves.
If you are not sure whether your rug should be cleaned on site or taken to the plant, we can discuss the rug with you and recommend the approach that makes the most sense.
More Than 55 Years of Rug & Textile Cleaning Experience
Alec’s Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning has been serving homeowners since 1970, and Alec Houle has been cleaning carpets, upholstery, and rugs since 1962.
Over the years, we have cleaned many types of fine rugs for homeowners, designers, and clients who want a more careful and knowledgeable approach than ordinary in-home rug cleaning can provide.
Contact Alec’s Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning LLC
If you have an Oriental rug, Persian rug, wool rug, needlepoint, border rug, or other fine area rug that needs professional cleaning, we would be glad to help.
Phone: 781-871-1415
Alternate Phone: 781-871-4428
Email: Alec@Alecscarpetcleaning.com
Call today to discuss professional Oriental and area rug cleaning in our Abington plant.
