When you look at your fine Oriental rug, chances are the last thing you think about is the backing, but the backing is the foundation of your rug and is just as important as the pile. A quality Oriental rug is made on a cotton backing, and the backing is exposed to wear just as much as the pile. Although cotton is a durable fiber, making sure that your rug’s cotton backing is in good condition will help extend the life of your carpet. The integrity knots that are used to form the pile and pattern of your rug depend upon the health of the backing.
Damage to Your Rug’s Backing
It doesn’t take anything major to cause damage to the backing of your rug, everyday use can have a real impact on the backing as grit is deposited to grind on both the backing and the pile. Grit, however, is not the only danger to the backing:
- Pollution contains harmful chemicals that can eat away at the cotton.
- The larvae of clothes moths and carpet beetles will dine upon both the pile and the backing.
- Spills and pet urine and vomit will cause damage, too.
Preserving the Backing
Because the rug’s backing is so important, you should take steps to ensure that it is kept in the best condition possible.
- Vacuum regularly to remove dirt and grit before it can damage the backing.
- Clean up spills immediately.
- Urine and vomit should be cleaned up not only with soap and water, but with an enzyme based cleaner to remove all traces.
However, these treatments mostly affect the surface of the rug, and often do not reach down deep enough to remove hidden dirt. Nothing will help to extend the life and beauty of your rug than a professional cleaning by NYCleaners. Treatment at our facility will safely remove all dirt from every part of your rug, including the backing.
