Your rug will pick up dirt and debris from the bottom of shoes that come in contact with it. Even though it may look clean it may be full of contaminants that have attached themselves to the fibers of the rug. Cleaning your rug at least once a month is the absolute minimum. If you notice a stain on the rug it must be addressed immediately so it does not set in and cost you a tremendous amount of money to have that area repaired.
If you have heavy traffic on your rug you should vacuum it at least once a week to keep it fresh and clean. Begin vacuuming one side first until you have covered the entire rug. If you can lift a corner up and hit it with your fist and still see a cloud of dirt that means you need to vacuum again. Be certain to vacuum both sides of the oriental rug.
To clean your rug you will need to create a mixture of one part vinegar and three parts water. This will ensure that the vegetable dyes used to create the rug is not damaged or discolored. Never use a soapy cleaner on an oriental rug because there is no way to 100% remove the soap without soaking the rug with a garden hose. This oriental rug cleaning mixture will help your rug to smell fresh, look fresh, and last much longer.
Place the vinegar mixture in a plastic spray bottle and gentle spray the entire area of the rug without soaking. Let the rug dry thoroughly.
Spray the mixture on to the fringe area of the rug and work in the solution with a very soft brush. Mimic the motions of brushing your hair as you gently stroke the fibers of the oriental rug. Do not use the vinegar mix on white or cotton fiber fringes or you run the risk of turning them yellow or brown.
Take a small fan and place it on the floor near the rug to dry the solution faster. Leaving a wet oriental rug on a hardwood floor can attract mold and mildew. Never hand a wet rug on a clothing line to dry or you run the risk of the colors running. If your rug is dry to the touch but still damp you can let it dry on the clothing line.