Rug Cleaning Myths: What’s Fact, What’s Folklore

From dye bleed fears to the belief that rugs should never be washed, misinformation in the world of rug care is common — and costly. This article quietly dispels the most persistent myths, so household managers and discerning clients can make informed decisions based on knowledge, not fear.

Clearing the Confusion Around Professional Rug Cleaning

Over the years, we’ve encountered many hesitations — often from well-meaning household managers who’ve been told their rug cannot be washed, or that professional cleaning is too risky. These myths, though common, can cause real harm. Rugs go uncleaned for decades. Soil accumulates. Damage becomes irreversible.

This article addresses a few of the most persistent misconceptions — quietly and clearly — so that your decisions can be based on truth, not fear.

Myth 1: Washing Rugs Damages Them

Truth: Professional washing is the most effective way to preserve a rug’s life.

We understand the concern. A rug may feel too fragile to immerse. But the greatest risk isn’t washing — it’s neglect.

Soil is abrasive. Over time, it acts like sandpaper, wearing down wool and silk fibres with every step. Without periodic, specialist washing, even the finest rugs degrade from the inside out.

Done properly, with expert hands and the right conditions, washing restores—not harms.

Myth 2: Some Rugs Should Never Be Washed

Truth: Most rugs can be safely cleaned, even those with unstable dyes — if handled correctly.

Clients are often told that rugs from Tabriz, Isfahan, or Nain should be left untouched due to dye bleed risk. It’s true that these rugs frequently contain fugitive dyes. But it’s also true that these are often the very rugs most in need of washing — especially if they’ve been exposed to spills, humidity, or pet accidents.

The key lies in expert dye testing, patient immersion techniques, and—when needed—a specialist strip wash to stabilise and lift dye migration safely.

If someone advises you not to wash such a rug, the issue may lie with their methods, not the rug. In many cases, we’re the second opinion that gives owners confidence to proceed.

Myth 3: Silk Rugs Should Be Dry Cleaned

Truth: Dry cleaning is a clothing method — not a rug care strategy.

A silk tie and a silk rug are not the same. Yet this misunderstanding persists, often encouraged by well-intentioned cleaners without the right tools or training.

Dry cleaning may remove surface dirt, but it does little for embedded soil. Worse, it leaves behind chemical residues and stiffens the pile — especially in viscose, bamboo silk, or mercerised cotton rugs often mistaken for true silk.

True silk can absolutely be washed. In fact, it should be — gently, thoroughly, and quickly dried in a centrifuge to preserve the softness and sheen. We do it often. And carefully.

Myth 4: Rugs Can Be Properly Cleaned In the Home

Truth: True cleaning requires a controlled environment — and specialised equipment.

It’s tempting to believe that a rug can be cleaned where it lies. But home-based cleaning, no matter how careful, simply cannot deliver what’s needed.

Dusting: The most important step is dry soil removal. This can’t be done with a vacuum — it requires purpose-built equipment to lift grit trapped deep in the foundation.
Flushing & rinsing: Rugs must be thoroughly rinsed after washing, to prevent re-soiling and dye issues.
Water removal: A centrifuge, similar to a washing machine’s spin cycle, extracts excess moisture. Without it, drying is too slow — increasing risks of shrinkage, dye bleed, and stiff pile.

In short: at-home rug cleaning is convenience over care. It isn’t safe for serious textiles. And it’s not what we do.

Myth 5: “My Rug Looks Clean – So It Doesn’t Need Cleaning”

Truth: The most dangerous soil is the kind you can’t see.

By the time a rug looks soiled on the surface, the foundation beneath may already be laden with abrasive grit and debris. This isn’t a scare tactic — it’s simply the nature of rugs. Their density hides wear until it’s too late.

Professional cleaning is about protection, not appearances. Waiting for visible dirt is like waiting for a toothache to visit the dentist.

In Summary

We understand how these myths take root. Many of them are rooted in caution or advice given by cleaners without the tools to do more. But experience tells a different story.

Every week, we meet clients who were told their rug was too delicate to wash. And every week, we return those rugs restored, stabilised, and deeply clean — often for the first time in decades.

You don’t have to risk your rug. But you also don’t have to leave it to fade quietly into disrepair. We’re here to help you choose confidently, and to care for your rugs with the discretion and skill they deserve.