Posted on July 6, 2021 by Behnam Rugs

Taking Steps to Minimize Pet Damage to Your Rug

If you’re reading this, chances are, you have a pet at home! Does your furry friend just love to mark everything, including your Persian rug?

Lament no more, because there are steps that you can take at home to minimize the damage done to your rug. While these steps cannot replace having your rug washed and sanitized, you can at least rest easy knowing that there is something you can do before you arrange for a rug wash.

Many Persian rugs are made of natural fibers (ex. wool, silk, and cotton). These natural fibers are especially absorbent, so it can be difficult to deodorize and clean the spot where an accident occurred.

You will always want to confront pet accidents as soon as possible to minimize damage. We understand that it is not always realistic to bring your rug in for cleaning or even to have it picked up from your home. There is a common household item you can use to minimize damage until you can have your rug cleaned, though.

Baking Soda and Persian Rugs

Yes, you read that right! Baking soda- it seems like we use it for just about everything except for actually baking.

You can use baking soda to prevent the damage done to your rugs after a pet accident.

Before you proceed any further, you will want to make sure that the accident on your rug has dried completely. Adding baking soda to a wet spot could result in a damaged rug. If you want to be extra sure, blot the spot where the accident occurred with paper towels.

Next, place a generous amount of baking soda on the site of the accident. The spot where the accident occurred should be completely covered in a layer of baking soda. You don’t need a thick pile of baking soda placed on top of the spot, just enough to cover.

Leave the baking soda on for a few hours, then, vacuum or sweep your rug. If you are using a vacuum, make sure it is a lightweight style suitable for the gentle fibers of fine rugs. You don’t want to damage your rug, and since you are only removing dry baking soda, there doesn’t need to be much force put on your rug in the first place.

That’s That!

If you’ve made it this far, congratulations! You’ve done your part as a responsible rug owner. The baking soda will help to minimize any odors and stains. As mentioned earlier, this method will not replace a rug wash, but it will help to keep your rug safe before you can arrange for your rug to be cleaned. You will want to arrange for a rug wash as soon as possible, not just for deodorizing but to sanitize your rug, too.

Behnam Rugs does not recommend using any chemical cleansers to clean pet accidents from your rugs. These chemicals often respond poorly to the dyes and natural fibers of Persian rugs, and we have seen far too many rugs damaged by these cleansers.

To learn more about rug care and rugs in general, feel free to call us at 972-733-0400 or visit our showroom. We are open Monday through Friday, 9AM to 5:30PM.