How to Eliminate Odor from an Oriental Rug

It can be the utmost in frustration to spend time seeking the perfect rug for a room or space in your home, only to realize it has started to take on unusual odors. It could be that the rug arrived with certain materials that give it a strong, unwelcome scent. It could be that someone smoking or other similar issues are causing it to smell badly. This means you will want to know how to safely and effectively eliminate odor from an oriental rug as fast as possible.

STEPS TO ELIMINATE ODOR FROM AN ORIENTAL RUG

First things first, experts will tell you to hold off on panicking if you notice an odd odor as it is not that unusual for rugs made of certain fibers to take on scents and then begin to smell badly. These are problems easily treated, but there is a caveat. If the rug in question is an aging, fine or antique oriental rug, it is best to consult immediately with an expert. They can eliminate odor from an oriental rug after running a full diagnosis and using steps that will never harm the delicate colors, materials or structure of the rug.

DIY OPTIONS

If, however, it is a relatively new rug (even a finer one) you can start with a very gentle vacuuming of the rug to see if it is just some sort of particulate on the surface of the rug that is giving off the odor. If it still has that odd odor after you have run the vacuum, you need to move on to the next step.

This may be a challenging way to attempt to eliminate odor from an oriental rug if the rug is large or fragile. However, if you can manage it without jeopardizing the rug, it can be very helpful to expose it to a few hours of sunlight. This is because UV rays are often lethal to organisms and bacteria prone to producing unwelcome smells.

Choose a dry and sunny day to use this method. and lay out several saw horses that will allow air to circulate around the entire carpet (above and below). Then leave it in the sun for just a few hours, flipping it halfway through the process. It helps to ensure full exposure, but also prevents any fading or bleaching from hours and hours of direct sunlight.

Experts way it can take three or four attempts to get it to work, but UV light is often effective. Some rug experts also recommend the use of charcoal, such as additive-free charcoal briquettes placed inside a breathable container (such as old pantyhose). Several containers are laid along the width of the rug, and then the rug is rolled up. You can add additional amounts as you roll. Then, leave it wrapped tightly in a sheet for a few days to see if the charcoal absorbs the odors.

DON’T IGNORE EXPERT HELP

If all else fails and you fail to eliminate odor from an oriental rug, always consult experts and never use chemicals or other treatments that can ruin your beautiful investment.