Michigan State University Extension
Home Maintenance And Repair - 01500390
06/24/03
Coping with Wet Rugs
If rug and pad can be taken outside to a flat clean
area such as a concrete driveway, this is usually the
best procedure. On a sunny day the rug and pad may dry
fast enough to prevent damage. Any stain will wick to the
back instead of the tips of the face yarns if the rug is
placed face down. Drying can be accelerated by using fans
to blow air over the rug.
If the rug has been flooded with dirty water, a lot
of the wet soil can be flushed out with a garden hose. A
carpet cleaning solution can be used to clean the rug to
remove more soil. Caution should be used with any type of
electrical cleaning equipment on the wet rug as a severe
electrical shock may result.
Many of the larger cities have professional rug
cleaners who are equipped to clean and dry wet rugs at
their plant under controlled conditions. In most
instances, this is the best method to assure minimum
damage.
Some staining and shrinkage will occur. The amount of
shrinkage will depend on the fibers used in the back of
the rug and the construction used to make the rug. About
2% shrinkage is average in both the length and width, but
may be as high as 10% in the length for certain types of
rugs.
This article was written by Anne Field, Extension
Specialist, Emeritus, with reference from the USDA
Disaster Handbook, and the Carpet and Rug Institute.
This information is for educational purposes only. References
to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not
mentioned. This information becomes public property upon
publication and may be printed verbatim with credit to MSU
Extension. Reprinting cannot be used to endorse or advertise
a commercial product or company.
MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State
University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race,
color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability,
political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status.
Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in
cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thomas G. Coon, Director,
MSU Extension, East Lansing,MI 48824. This information is for educational
purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.
This file was generated from data base 02 on 02/04/08.
Data base 02 was last revised on 06/24/03.
For more information about this data base or its contents please contact
strausc@msu.edu .