How to Clean Polysilk Rugs

How to Clean Polysilk Rugs:

Spot Cleaning

Spot cleaning a polysilk rug is similar to the process of spot cleaning a polypropylene one. Here’s how you do it:

• Whenever anything has been spilled, no matter the fiber, you have to remove excess first. There are certain things to take into consideration depending on the type of spill:

  • For just liquid: Use a clean, white cloth or fabric towel to do the job. Start blotting (do not rub, or the stain can become set) from the outside edge of the spill, working your way in. This will help avoid spreading any stain further than it’s already reached. Switch to alternative cloths the second any becomes saturated until you can’t pull up anymore.

  • For solids: scrape up solids using a dull knife or nail file, then repeat instructions listed for liquids.

  • For red wine or tomato sauce: use the instructions listed for liquid spills, but add club soda to your cloths when dabbing. This will help neutralize and remove any color stain.

• Take the rug outside and hose it off on both sides. Polysilk is an indoor and outdoor safe rug material, so it won’t be damaged by water. If your rug is especially dirty, you can use mild soap at this point to help remove any excess dirt or mess.  Be careful not to use too much water pressure on the rug or it could cause the polysilk fibers to fuzz.

• Let the rug dry. The easiest way to dry your polysilk rugs will be by elevating them off the ground. Draping them over an especially strong clothesline or piece of furniture.  A fan can be used to help accelerate the drying process.

How to Clean Pet Accidents from Polysilk Rugs:

Different pets mean different types of spills. Here's how to care for each: 

• Urine. Use the liquid steps listed above to remove any liquid that has already been absorbed. Take care of the odor by using either a specialized pet cleaning product or by combining 1/4 cup white vinegar and 1/4 cup water and using a towel to blot the mixture on the stain.

• Feces and Vomit. First, you'll want to remove as much physical matter from the scene of the crime as possible. If any solids prove to be especially difficult, you can use a hard-bristled brush to gently work them loose. Large solids can be scraped up using a dull knife or with gloved hands. After this, follow spot cleaning instructions listed above.

How to Maintain Polysilk Rugs:

Because polysilk is so durable on it’s own, there aren’t a lot of specialty tips when it comes to maintaining rugs made from it. The things you do to maintain all your other rugs and carpets are the same things you should do with polysilk. This includes:

• Regular vacuuming or sweeping with a broom is the best care to keep the appearance of your polysilk rug fresh. Visible and loose dirt should be vacuumed with a strong suction vacuum. Do not use a beater bar. Vacuum the carpet from different directions, making several passes over the area.

  • Although the need may not be visible, this frequent and regular vacuuming will increase your polysilk rug’s life by preventing soil build-up and will help eliminate stains caused when spilled liquids dissolve soil accumulations.

  • When vacuuming bound area rugs, take special care with the binding border. Do not let the vacuum sit on top of the binding or catch the corner of the rug as it could damage the binding. Also, we suggest you vacuum in the direction that the binding is sewn so as not to pull up the binding from the rug.

  • For routine maintenance of our woven fabric borders (cotton canvas and linen), simply vacuum the edge finish as explained above in Vacuuming Bound Rugs. If excessive soiling or spills occur on the binding, our Sisal Life Cleaner works really well and also reapplies the Sisal Life Protector as it is applied. To maintain one of our Premium leather or Faux leather bindings, simply wipe the surface with a damp—not wet—cloth or sponge or a leather cleaner/conditioner.

  • When polysilk rugs are used as an area rug, traffic or shuffling of feet across a corner or edge could cause the edge to curl. It is easy to fix this by dampening the curled area, or placing a damp towel over the area and weighing it down evenly overnight. If severely curled it might be necessary to repeat this process. We also carry Curl Stop which is an anti-curling rug system that keeps corners flat and is safe for all floors

If you need assistance cleaning rugs made from other fibers, take the time to visit our care and cleaning guides to find the information you need. If instead, you’re interested in shopping for a polysilk rug you can practice your newfound cleaning expertise on, feel free to browse our selection of polysilk rugs.