You Can Save Your Oriental Area Rug by Knowing How to Do a Bleeding Test
If you are an area rug owner, you understand the cost of replacing a rug or how a gifted rug can hold sentimental value beyond any monetary amount. Knowing how to maintain your rugs can save you from the unfortunate experience of damaging them or having to buy a new one. The first step in any cleaning or spot removal procedure is knowing how to perform a bleeding test on your rugs.
What is a bleeding test? It’s quite simple. A bleeding test involves testing the solution or chemical you plan to use on your rug to see if it will cause color bleeding. Once colors start running, fixing the issue becomes challenging.
Here’s how you perform the test:
1. You need white towels and paper towels. White is crucial because if you use a colored towel, you might get bleeding from the towel itself onto your rug. For instance, if the rug is blue and the towel is blue, how would you know if it’s the rug bleeding or the towel color transferring?
2. After obtaining your white towel, apply some of the solution you plan to use on it. If you intend to use soap and water, test the soap as well.
3. Find a discreet area on your rug for the test—preferably not the center. Look for areas with bright colors like red, blue, or yellow.
4. Place the towel with the solution facing down on one of these bright colors. If possible, test a few colors in the same area. Apply some pressure with your hand or a heavy, flat object to help the solution penetrate the fibers. Wait for 10 seconds to see if any color transfers to the white towel.
5. If there is no bleeding, you can use the spotter but remain cautious as it could still bleed later. If you see color transfer, avoid using that spotter as it might damage your rug.
If you need to test another spotter, choose a different area and avoid testing multiple spots on the same rug. Test only one color at a time.
I hope you find this article helpful. If you need assistance with area rug cleaning in Louisville or carpet cleaning in Louisville, please contact us at 502-365-6779.
