Hardwood floors are a timeless and elegant addition to any home. They exude warmth and sophistication, adding a touch of natural beauty to your living space.
If you also have area rugs decorating these hardwood floors, you may wonder whether it’s safe to clean them in place or if there’s a better alternative. Let’s explore the risks associated with cleaning area rugs on hardwood floors and the benefits of in-plant area rug cleaning for achieving the best results.
The Risks of Cleaning Area Rugs on Hardwood Floors
While it may seem convenient to clean your area rugs in place on top of your hardwood floors, it’s essential to be aware of the potential risks, especially when it comes to water exposure. Here are some key concerns:
Water Damage:
Hardwood floors are sensitive to moisture. Excessive water exposure can lead to warping, buckling, and permanent damage to the wood. When you clean an area rug in place, there’s a higher risk of water seeping through the rug and reaching the hardwood beneath, especially if your rug has a thick pile.
Mold and Mildew:
If moisture gets trapped between the rug and the hardwood floor, it creates an ideal environment for mold and mildew growth. These fungi not only damage your hardwood but can also pose health risks to your family.
Residue Buildup:
In-home rug cleaning methods often involve using household carpet cleaning machines. If not used correctly, these machines can leave behind cleaning residue on both the rug and the hardwood floor. This residue can attract dirt and grime over time, making your floors look dull and dirty.
The Benefits of In-Plant Area Rug Cleaning
Now that we’ve discussed the potential risks of cleaning area rugs on hardwood floors, let’s explore the advantages of opting for in-plant area rug cleaning:
Dry Soil Removal:
In-plant cleaning starts with thorough dry soil removal by laying your area rug across a metal grate and passing over it using specialized equipment like rug beaters or strap dusters. These tools are designed to dislodge dust and debris from deep within the rug’s fibers, ensuring a clean foundation for the wet cleaning process. Dry soil removal is a crucial step that home-based cleaning methods often miss.
Controlled Wet Cleaning:
In-plant cleaning allows for controlled wet cleaning on a special platform designed for this purpose. The rugs are soaked down completely, and professional-grade rug shampoos are applied to ensure a deep and thorough cleaning. Unlike in-home cleaning, this method minimizes the risk of water reaching your hardwood floors.
Comprehensive Rinsing:
After the cleaning process, your rugs are rinsed thoroughly to remove all dirt and cleaning residues. This step is critical to ensure that no leftover chemicals or grime remain in your rugs, preserving their appearance and texture.
Optional Services:
In-plant cleaning offers additional services such as deodorization, insecticide application (ideal for natural fiber rugs), and 3M Scotchgardâ„¢ application for added protection against future stains and spills.
Proper Drying:
One of the most significant advantages of in-plant cleaning is the controlled and efficient drying process. Industrial racks with adequate ventilation are used to dry the rugs quickly, reducing the chance of mold, mildew, and musty odors.
Careful Packaging:
Once your rugs are dry and pristine, they are carefully rolled in brown paper to protect them during transportation and returned to you in about one week.
Risks Of Damaging Your Hardwood Floor
Be careful when cleaning your carpet if you have hardwood floor beneath it. When carpet cleaning solution soaks through the rug pad and onto the hardwood, it can damage the wood’s finish, leaving unsightly stains that are difficult to remove.
The solution can also seep into the cracks between boards and create further damage to the wood. It’s best to avoid cleaning your carpet on top of hardwood floors altogether. A waterproof rug pad is a great way to protect your floors from spills and water damage, ask us about our favorite rug pads specifically for this purpose!
Better yet, hire a professional cleaner who knows how to care for hardwood floors. Don’t take any chances with your beautiful hardwood floors and keep them looking their best for years to come.
Why Choose GM Carpet Care As Your Area Rug Cleaning Experts?
We all want our homes to be sparkling clean, with everything in its place. However, when it comes to cleaning our carpets, some may find it more challenging than others. This is especially true for area rugs, which can be tricky to clean without the right tools and experience.
Many of us choose to decorate with area rugs because they are beautiful accents that can tie a room together while also protecting a perfectly polished hardwood floor from daily wear and tear and frequent foot traffic. Don’t risking damaging the rugs or your beautiful floors by trying to clean them yourself or working with an inexperienced company who doesn’t have the right tools for the job.
GM Carpet Care provides carpet cleaning services to Ocean, Monmouth, and Atlantic County for over 40 years, they have skilled and certified technicians to help keep your carpets pristine and looking their best. From carpet stain removal to water damage restoration, you can trust GM Carpet Care to take great care of your floors, so don’t hesitate to call 732-929-9669 today!
Is Carpet Shampoo Good For Your Rug Fibers?
There are many carpet and rug cleaning products available on the market today and while generally, carpet shampoo is good for your rug’s fibers, the recommended product may vary depending on your rug’s construction and the material it’s made out of.
Some cleaning methods and carpet shampoo products can damage or weaken fabrics. GM Carpet Care is specially trained to know which products will work best for your area rug as the most gentle yet effective way to lift dirt and stains without causing harm during the rug cleaning process.
Regular maintenance and thorough cleaning with the right, quality shampoo and cleaning products can help prolong the life of your rug fibers by preventing buildup and removing allergens that can degrade them over time.
This is why professional area rug cleaning in Toms River, New Jersey a smart investment for maintaining the look and feel of your carpets and area rugs. So embrace the power of carpet cleaning professionals and give your rug fibers the TLC they deserve.
Spot Cleaning Stains On Your Area Rug
Your area rug is an important and expensive piece of décor in your home, so it’s understandable that you want it to stay clean and stain-free. In between professional area rug cleaning appointments, you may need to spot-clean some of those pesky stains on your own.
If not done properly, spot cleaning can actually do more harm than good to your rug. The chemicals in some cleaning products can be too harsh and may cause discoloration or even damage the fibers of your rug.
Additionally, spot cleaning only addresses the visible stain, leaving behind residual dirt and bacteria that can build up over time. Instead, it’s recommended to have your area rug professionally cleaned at least once a year to ensure its longevity and continued beauty. So put down that cleaning product and leave it to the experts to give your rug the deep cleaning it deserves.
Why In Plant, Hot Water Extraction Cleaning Is The Best Choice
Repeated vacuuming every week and cleaning up after spills is important, but for a deep cleaning, hot water extraction or steam cleaning provides the best results. Hiring professionals to use high powered commercial carpet steamer and cleaning equipment on your rug, while making sure to use gentle cleaning products and methods per the material and construction of the rug, is the most effective way to remove dirt, dust, allergens, and stains.
Steam cleaner and hot water extraction equipment works by injecting hot water into the rug and then sucking the water out. This high-pressure steam reaches deep down into the fibers to loosen and dissolve dirt and other pollutants, leaving your area rug clean, fresh, and looking as good as new.
Unlike traditional cleaning methods that leave residue, steam cleaning and thoroughly soaking the rug repeatedly to rinse out the soil and cleaning solutions also helps to break down any allergens and prevents them from being dispersed into the air, making it a great choice for people with allergies or asthma.
The best part? The process is environmentally friendly, and safe for pets and kids. So, if you want your rug to look clean and extend its life, in plant steam cleaning is the best choice
Maintaining the cleanliness of area rugs covering hardwood floors requires a careful approach.
The wrong cleaning methods can lead to damage and ultimately impact the value of your home. Area rugs can be challenging to clean, but with professional help like GM Carpet Care in Toms River, New Jersey, you can keep your carpets in pristine condition.
Cleaning area rugs in place on hardwood floors may be tempting
The risks of water damage, mold growth, and residue buildup are significant concerns. Don’t take any chances, hire the professionals who have been trusted by residents and commercial clients in Ocean, Monmouth, and Atlantic counties since 1978. With our dedication to providing the best service possible and our friendly customer service team, you can trust us to get the job done right.
Maintain the overall quality and value of your home by keeping your hardwood floors in great shape. Opting for in-plant area rug cleaning provides a safer and more effective solution, ensuring that your rugs receive the meticulous care they deserve without compromising the integrity of your beautiful hardwood floors. Trust the professionals at GM Carpet Care in Toms River, New Jersey for your in-plant area rug cleaning needs and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with expert care and attention to detail.