Hand cleaning of Oriental carpets

Simple stains and minor dirt spots can easily be cleaned by yourself. One must, of course, know how – best with our tips below.

However, heavy soiling (e.g. large wine stains) or cleaning the entire carpet should be left to a professional. An original hand-knotted Oriental carpet is usually colour-sensitive and requires the experience and materials of experts to shine in its freshly knotted colour intensity after a more intensive wash.

This point is particularly important for especially high-quality carpets that have been dyed with plant colours. If the cleaning is not carried out correctly, the Oriental carpet may lose its colours, and the valuable wool or silk may be irreparably damaged.

• Be gentle – proceed with care:
  If liquid is spilled, please never rub! Instead, gently blot with a clean, absorbent cloth and lukewarm water. This way, colours and fibres remain intact.
• Choose the right cleaning product:
  Only use pH-neutral, mild cleaning agents without aggressive chemicals.
  Tip: Always test on an inconspicuous area before use – this ensures that the colours remain stable.
• Moisture instead of soaking:
  An Oriental rug should never be completely soaked. Instead, lightly dampen it and ideally clean it in the direction of the fibres with a soft brush. Afterwards, carefully remove any residues.
• Dry gently:
  Drying devices, hairdryers or direct sunlight can damage the rug. The best method is a gentle air drying – ideally from both sides.
• For stubborn stains, leave it to the professionals:
  Red wine, oil, ink or wax are cases for specialists. Leave such cleanings to trained experts – such as the specialised team from Nain Trading.

• Too much water:
  When the carpet becomes soaked, it loses its protective lanolin layer. The wool can become brittle and lose elasticity.
• No heat sources:
  Heat sources such as fan heaters or radiant heaters cause tension in the fabric and can leave irreparable damage. Patience is the best care when drying.
• No reckless DIY attempts on problem stains:
  Large stains or marks from grease or ink should only be treated by professionals. Well-meaning attempts at home often lead to even greater damage.

1. Immediate action: Blot fresh stains immediately with kitchen roll or a cotton cloth.
2. Use home remedies: A splash of vinegar in sparkling mineral water can help to dissolve dyes. Apply gently and dab – never rub.
3. Aftercare: Lightly wipe with clear, lukewarm water and dab dry.

1. Bind grease: Gently dab with kitchen paper. Then apply baking powder or talcum powder to the area and let it sit for a few hours.
2. Remove residues: Carefully vacuum and follow up with a soft cloth.

1. Use alcohol strategically: Dampen a cotton bud with isopropanol (alcohol) and gently dab it on the stain. Always use a fresh cloth to avoid smearing the colour.
   Note: Test on an inconspicuous area first.

1. Absorb fluid: Quickly dab with an absorbent cloth.
2. Neutralise odours: Clean with lukewarm water and a splash of vinegar or lemon juice.
3. Rinse thoroughly: Wipe with fresh water and pat dry.

Now we come to the actual cleaning. Remember: The carpet should only be lightly dampened and must not be dripping with water.

Excessive water could wash out the oils from the carpet, which are responsible for its softness and dirt-repelling properties. Without this oil, the carpet can appear dull and lifeless.

Apply the previously tested cleaning solution with a stroke on the dampened carpet. Once the solution has been absorbed, brush it out with the stroke as well, ensuring that the cleaning solution is completely removed. Rinse the brush constantly with fresh water.

As soon as all the remaining foam is removed, rinse the carpet thoroughly with plenty of water. Then, use the back of a scrubbing brush to extract as much moisture as possible from the carpet.

After all the dirty areas have been cleaned and the excess water removed, you should apply grease to the still slightly damp carpet.

This step is extremely important to replace the lost fat and restore the carpet's natural shine and resilience. Lanolin or wool grease solutions are particularly well-suited for this purpose.

After applying the grease, the carpet must be thoroughly dried. Structures that allow for ventilation on both sides, such as a staircase railing or an old slatted bed base, are suitable for this.

It is important that the carpet is well-ventilated on all sides so that both the front and back can dry evenly. A brief soaking with water is usually unproblematic, as long as the exposure time is not too long.

For smaller mishaps in everyday life – we recommend our Nain Trading Stain Remover , which you can exclusively order when purchasing a carpet.

This cleaner is based on natural active ingredients and is free from solvents or synthetic chemicals. It is odourless, gentle on fibres, and suitable for nearly all natural and synthetic fibre carpets – whether hand-knotted or machine-made (with the exception of sisal carpets).

Application is incredibly simple: spray the stain, let it dry, and vacuum up the resulting crystals – done. The liquid envelops the dirt and forms small crystals after drying, which can be effortlessly removed. This way, you have a reliable, safe, and quick solution for everyday stain problems at hand.

Contents: 250 ml | Only available with carpet purchase