All About Rug Bleeding

Oriental rugs are beautiful and valuable, but they can be easily damaged during cleaning due to their delicate colors and patterns. To keep your rug looking great and preserve its value, it’s important to take precautions during the cleaning process. With proper care from Nature’s Way Chem-Dry, your rug can be thoroughly cleaned while still keeping its beautiful design and colors.

Why Rug Bleeding Occurs 

There are several factors that can cause color bleeding during the process of oriental rug cleaning. These include:

• Natural dyes that are not colorfast: Some oriental rugs are made with natural fibers and pigments, and the dyes used may not be stable. Water-soluble dyes are particularly prone to bleeding during cleaning, and certain cleaning methods like flooding can cause major problems.
• Damaging cleaning methods: Dry cleaning and steam cleaning are not suitable for oriental rugs and can leave behind a residue that causes dyes to bleed and damage the rug.
• Application of excessive dye: If too much dye is used to color the rug, the excess dye may wash out during the first few cleaning cycles and contaminate surrounding areas if not stabilized or protected.
• Exposure to alkaline substances or high heat during cleaning: Even if the dyes in the rug are colorfast or have been stabilized, they can still react and cause bleeding when exposed to high heat or alkaline substances often used in cleaning or stain removal processes. Fading is also a risk with such exposure.
• Pet accidents: Corrosive substances like pet urine can cause dyes to bleed before or during cleaning if not promptly and appropriately removed.

Here are some tips from our oriental rug cleaners to minimize the risk of color bleeding and fading and preserve the beauty and integrity of your rug:

• Keep your rug out of direct sunlight to prevent fading caused by UV rays disintegrating the dye bonds.
• Clean up accidents immediately by absorbing as much liquid as possible with a white cloth, then calling a professional oriental rug cleaner. Avoid using store-bought stain removers to prevent color bleeding or damage to fibers.
• Schedule regular rug cleaning appointments with a professional team to extend the rug’s lifespan and preserve its color palette. Our team will analyze your rug and determine the best cleaning approach to avoid color bleeding while maintaining its integrity.