Rug Cleaning: How Can I Remove the Musty Smell From Oriental Rugs?

There are so many things to love about an Oriental rug. They are stunning to look at, really light up the room with rich color, and last for many years to come. That’s not to say you don’t need to do anything to keep your rug in top shape, though. On occasion, you’ll need to bring your area rug in for professional rug cleaning. This is commonly needed when you discover your rug has a musty smell.

Serafin’s Professional Area Rug Cleaning

Wool rugs are durable and beautiful. It may surprise you to know that the reason Oriental rugs are so valuable is also the reason they can sometimes, well, stink. The main factor in authentic Oriental rugs being so durable and can last for hundreds of years is due to their high animal fiber content. This is the same reason they can eventually develop a musty odor. Wool comes from sheep. When this wool gets wet, it can smell like a wet animal. The longer the moisture lingers, the more likely it is to develop into mildew, causing a foul, musty odor.

Regular vacuuming and quickly cleaning spills are both important for maintaining fine area rugs. That being said, these methods are only sufficient for keeping the surface of your carpet clean. If the musty smell is coming from within the fibers, vacuuming alone won’t suffice. Even steam cleaning often fails to remove deep particles and penetrated stains. A professional deep cleaning treatment, done by industry experts who know exactly what they’re doing, is the only guaranteed method to remove the smell that is bothering you.

There are a number of things you can do at home to dry out the rug, but nothing will come close to results you can expect from a professional cleaning. Investing in a professional carpet cleaning service is worth it to save your wool Oriental rug from the musty smell that will eventually ruin it.

Our Deep Immersion Rug Cleaning

Our process is the most effective method of removing contaminants from your area rug’s delicate fibers. At Serafian’s, we utilize specially built equipment that replicates traditional methods of cleaning fine Oriental rugs, while at the same time utilizing the most modern technology available. Our total immersion process removes the maximum amount of dirt and contaminants. By doing so, we are able to return your valuable rug to the highest level of beauty. While removing the musty smell from the rug, we are also gently preventing any damage.

For any rug cleaning needs, the team to trust in the Albuquerque area is Serafin’s. Our highly trained staff has taken care of and improved thousands of Oriental area rugs. Reach out to us today and book your cleaning appointment. We’ll give you a free estimate!

Is it Possible to Use the Same Area Rug All Year?

Buying a new area rug is an exciting time. It also leads to many questions. Do you need a rug pad underneath it? Are there certain materials that are better than others? Can you have the same rug out all year round?

This last question is the one we want to focus on today. Buying an authentic Oriental area rug is a wonderful purchase, and it’s one that is sure to make your home even more beautiful. You’re going to want to show off this gorgeous piece of art. The good news is that you can, no matter what the season or weather!

Area Rugs Warm Up the Room

Particularly if you have hardwood or tile floors, your home can get chilly in the cooler months. An Oriental rug helps with this! Beyond the decorative interest that a pop of color, pattern, and texture bring to the room, these rugs also provide comfort and warmth. Wool rugs are very luxurious, allergy-friendly, and extremely durable. Plus, they’re so cozy!

Rugs have the ability to make any room warmer. As an example, let’s consider a rug in the bedroom placed just under your bed. Imagine waking up on a freezing winter morning, then placing your feet on the floor. Your feet don’t land on cold tile, though. You step onto a soft, plush area rug. All of a sudden, getting out of bed doesn’t seem so bad!

Colors and Patterns

That’s not to say that a rug is only suitable for the winter months. In fact, with all of the color and pattern options available, it’s easy to find one that celebrates the warm weather. Pops of bold, rich colors are the perfect way to celebrate spring and summer. Your home will be just as colorful as a garden!

Don’t Put Your Area Rug in Danger

While you certainly can leave your rug out all year round, there are certain times you may want to put it away. It’s best to avoid placing or leaving area rugs in a spot where there are likely to be spills and accidents. For example, let’s say you’re hosting Easter dinner at your home this year. Extra feet on the floor and people eating casseroles at the table mean a heightened chance for rug damage. When in doubt, roll it up and store it for later.

Even though they’re easier to clean than regular carpet, you don’t want to damage your Oriental rug if you can help it. Keep this in mind, especially if you have children and pets coming for a visit.

With any additional questions, don’t hesitate to ask! Reach out via our website or stop into our Albuquerque location and see our rugs in person.

What Rug Shape Should I Use for a Rectangular Room?

If you’re getting started with decorating your home with beautiful Oriental rugs, chances are good you’ve found yourself looking at a wide variety of different rug options you can choose from. Depending on the style you’re going for in your home, you have numerous color and pattern options. What about the shape, though? Are there certain rules or style guides that tell you which rug shape to place in certain rooms?

Learn About Rug Shape

Choosing the rug shape for your intended space can be tricky. Maybe you want a round rug, but your space might be the sort where a round rug doesn’t look good there. This may be the case with a rectangle-shaped room. We take pride in educating our customers, so don’t worry that you have to figure this out on your own. In order to make things simpler, we have come up with a few ways to help you choose the best rug shape for your space:

Rectangle

This is by far the most popular rug shape out there. It is also the classic rug shape. Some of the oldest rugs on record are rectangular. This shape was widely popularized by tapestry style rugs and Persian antique rugs centuries ago.

Will a rectangle rug look great in a rectangle-shaped room? You bet! They go well with traditional decor. As well, they can also help blend a transitional room together if you’re working with a plethora of other design elements that fall more into the modern category.

Square

Square rugs are ideal for square shaped rooms or smaller spaces. You wouldn’t want to put a square rug in a long hallway, as it would look awkward and cut the space apart. If you want to use one in a rectangular room, though, this can be done. For example, placing a square rug at the foot of your bed would look wonderful. In a living room, a square rug can be placed partly under the couch and partly under the coffee table.

Round

Many of the same ideas regarding square rugs apply to round rugs as well. This shape is an especially popular trend in modern living and dining rooms. You can place a round rug under a round dining room table. You may also want something more circular for a family room, where it’s often used as additional seating space, and you can tell people to “circle up.”

Choosing a rug shape is a serious business! The perfect rug put in the wrong place won’t feel like the “perfect rug” for very long. Selecting the wrong shape and size for the room it will be placed in can make it look awkward or cause impractical annoyances. If you have any additional questions, come into our Albuquerque store and we’ll guide you through the process.