Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Wet Rugs Happen

Storms happen. Overflows happen. Pipe breaks happen. Sewer back-ups happen. 
Wet rugs happen.  



Not the best method, but it's a start!

In the event of a small, clean water flood such as a dishwasher over flow or washing machine overflow, you will want to remove the water from the rug as quickly as you can.  Draping rugs over fences or railings is not recommended. Rather, extract as much water out of the rugs as possible and dry the rugs flat to minimize any potential drip-dry dye bleeding or permanent discoloration.  If you dry outdoors, dry the rugs upside-down to minimize sun fading.  Professional cleaning is always recommended so that any impurities and alkaline detergents can be properly removed.

It is important to note that if wet rugs are allowed to dry too slowly, or in a place that is not humidity controlled, it is only a matter of time (hours, NOT days!) before mold and mildew begin to grow and for the dyes bleed.  Do try to get to them as quickly as possible.

Heavy, dirty and unsanitary.
If your textiles have been exposed to a Category 2, or worse, a Category 3 situation, you will want to contact a company that has technicians specially trained to properly clean, deodorize and sanitize your rugs before returning them to your home.  Never try to tackle this type of clean up on your own – it could pose a serious health hazard to you and your family.  Call a professional to help you.

I can be contacted by email: Lynn@rugadvocate.com

6 comments:

  1. This is very important for people to know that rugs need to be dried quickly and cleaned right away.
    Luv-A-Rug just had 4 rugs come in on Saturday that got wet from a pipe burst. The client brought them to use within hours of it happening. The rug were still very wet, which was good.
    We don't get as much flooding as we used to in Victoria BC, but when it happens there is a way to save the rugs.
    Thanks for highlighting that wet rugs need to be taken care of just as quickly as everything else. Leaving them rolled up is not a good thing.

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    1. Thanks, Mary! I'll also add here that if your Oriental rug has been in a flood and the colors have run, there is a slightly better chance that the run colors can be improved if it gets to a professional before it has dried.

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  2. Mary I understand the flooding in Victoria Canada was severe when Global Warming made all your igloos melt. Now that you folks built houses things should be a little better.
    Dye bleeding is a major reason for huge damages in a water damage claim. It is so much less expensive and easier if you get hand woven rugs to a Professional Rug Cleaner rather then letting a carpet cleaner try to fix it. TLC and Luv-A-Rug are both experts who I trust.
    Barry O'Connell

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  3. Everybody does it differently, but we charge $1.00/SF to apply a sanitizer & dry rugs received wet.

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  4. Excellent information Lynn and THANK YOU!

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  5. If your textiles have been exposed to a Category 2, or worse, a Category 3 situation, you will want to contact a company that has technicians specially trained to properly clean, deodorize and sanitize your rugs before returning them to your home.
    http://www.bondcleanings.com.au/
    Bond Cleaning Melbourne

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