Care Guide for Viscose, Rayon, Cotton, Tencel carpet and rugs
Plant-based natural fibers are very absorbent and should not be placed in areas that are damp or where spills are likely to occur.
Vacuum regularly.
Remove spills immediately.
Use doormats and keep them clean.
Professionally clean as needed
Other names for plant-based natural fibers: Bamboo Silk, Banana Silk, Faux Silk.
- Moisture vapor can penetrate the open ends of the fiber, causing them to swell up.
- When they swell up, they absorb more light than the dry fibers around them.
- When they absorb more light and the neighboring fibers continue to reflect light, the swollen fibers will look darker than the other fibers.
- This looks like a stain, when it is just the way light reflects from the fibers. There's a temptation to rub the dark area. This will just fuzz up the spot and make it stand out even more.
- Think of when the sweat from a glass of water or ice tea leaves a ring on a piece of paper (a plant-based fiber). It looks like a stain, even though the moisture was perfectly clean. Also, that ring in the paper will never completely go away.
Vacuum regularly.
- Even fine dirt particles can grind and wear out these soft fibers.
- Use a vacuum made for soft carpets, such as the Soniclean SFC7000 or a vacuum with gentle suction.
- A vacuum with a nylon beater brush will tear and fray natural fibers.
- Even most adjustable upright vacuums actually dig into the carpet pile.
- A high-suction vacuum, like a Dyson, is not recommended.
- Change the vacuum cleaner dust bag when half full.
- Check the vacuum head or attachments for trapped fibers or sharp object like staples or paper-clips.
Remove spills immediately.
- Liquid spills act as a magnet to any dirt particles. What appears as a clean spot, if still wet, will pull dirt from shoes, furniture and even from dust in the air.
- Immediately blot a spill. Use a cotton towel (it's important that the towel is more absorbent than the carpet fiber).
- Do not rub. This can spread the stain and abrade the fibers.
- To remove a spot caused by solid substances, scrape it up with a spoon or spatula working from the outside of the spill toward the center.
- To prevent the fibers from absorbing any further moisture, use a dry cleaning powder such as Capture, Host, Wool Dri or Wool Clean absorb-it.
- Club Soda is not the right thing for a plant-based fiber.
Use doormats and keep them clean.
Professionally clean as needed
- Never steam clean or wet-shampoo a plant-based natural fiber carpet or rug.
- Use a dry-cleaning method only - dry powder, not solvent - no abrasion.
- Dry cleaning does not mean taking a rug to a laundry dry-cleaner
Other names for plant-based natural fibers: Bamboo Silk, Banana Silk, Faux Silk.
