Hand-Knotted Silk Carpet Care Tips

Silk is a beautiful and expensive natural fiber, and hand-knotted silk carpets, woven from silk materials, are also rare ground art pieces. They are essential decorations for elegant spaces with their exquisite appearance and luxurious texture. Although hand-knotted silk carpets only need to be sent to cleaning institutions for cleaning every 3-5 years, there are still unexpected situations in daily life that can cause the carpet to become stained with various dirt. Today, we share some home emergency handling tips for you to learn about!
1. Wine, beverages, chocolate, ice cream: When the above liquids accidentally stain a hand-knotted silk carpet, you can first use dry paper towels or a sponge to absorb most of the liquid. Then, take a semi-dry towel, dip it in some neutral detergent, and gently wipe from the direction of the pile. Finally, use clean water to remove the foam. Repeat this process until the stain is completely gone.

2. Chewing gum: Getting gum on any carpet material is a nightmare, but if you know the correct way to handle it, separating gum from the carpet is not difficult. First, we can take some ice cubes (or any frozen object) from the refrigerator and press them on the gum, which can quickly harden and crispen the gum. Then, break the hardened gum into small pieces and peel them off the carpet one by one. However, be especially careful not to pull on the silk threads when peeling.

3. Pet feces, urine stains, and odors: If pets leave feces, urine stains, and unpleasant odors on hand-knotted silk carpets, it will take more effort to deal with. First, act quickly to remove solid stains from the carpet, but do not use brute force to scrape the carpet, instead, use a spoon to scoop them. Then, gently wipe the liquid stains with dry paper towels to absorb, avoiding friction as it may damage the carpet fibers.

Next, mix water and vinegar in a 1:1 ratio, apply it to the stain, and then gently wipe with a dry towel or paper towel to absorb the overflow. If there is still an unpleasant odor on the carpet after this step, sprinkle some baking soda on the area with the odor, let it sit for half an hour, then apply the mixed water-vinegar liquid and absorb it, gently scrub with a soft brush or cloth if necessary, and finally rinse with water and air dry.

These are three methods for dealing with common stains, but in home emergency cleaning, we also need to avoid the following three behaviors that may damage hand-knotted silk carpets: overheating, dampness, and enzyme cleaners. These three factors can cause great harm to silk and permanently damage the carpet.
Overheating: Silk contracts and darkens when exposed to heat, so it is crucial to air-dry carpets in a cool, well-ventilated area, avoiding direct sunlight.

Moisture: Avoid soaking the carpet in cleaning solutions for extended periods, as this may cause color bleeding. Both overheating and excessive moisture can damage the fibers of silk carpets, so steam cleaning should also be avoided.

Chemical Cleaners: When cleaning handmade silk carpets, it is imperative to use neutral detergents. Any overly acidic or alkaline detergents can alter the carpet’s color. If you wish to clean your handmade silk carpet at home, ensure you use a gentle detergent specifically designed for silk carpets.

If you want your handmade silk carpet to last for many years and remain as good as new, then continue to learn about these two basic maintenance methods:

1. Vacuuming Twice Weekly: Vacuuming your handmade silk carpet twice a week is an excellent way to maintain it. When vacuuming, focus on the main areas that are walked on and avoid the edges and fringes to prevent snagging the carpet fibers. If you want your handmade silk carpet to last a long time, ensure to vacuum the back of the carpet at least once a year. This prevents dirt from the bottom from scratching and wearing down the carpet.

2. Regularly Adjusting the Carpet’s Direction: Handmade silk rugs create rich layers of light and shadow when exposed to sunlight. However, if a particular area of the carpet is exposed to light for an extended period, it may experience slight fading. Additionally, if furniture is placed on the carpet for a long time, the area in contact with the furniture will inevitably become indented due to prolonged pressure. Therefore, adjust the direction of the carpet seasonally to help distribute the wear on the pile and exposure to light evenly.

These are some common knowledge points for home cleaning and maintenance of handmade silk carpets. However, given the high cost of handmade silk carpets, it is recommended to seek professional cleaning services to avoid the risk of permanent damage due to novice mistakes.

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