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Oriental and Area Rug Cleaning

The Institute for Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) Standard S-100 states that, "When practical, the preferred system for cleaning rugs is to remove them from the customer's home or business and clean them in a controlled "in-plant" environment. They should not be cleaned on location like wall to wall carpet. Tus Group cares for the finest to the most basic rugs from around the world. We will pick your rug up and bring it to our special cleaning plant where it will receive Our 9 Step Area Rug Cleaning Program to get maximum soil and spot removal. Having your rug cleaned in our plant allows us to give it several treatments for a more thorough cleaning, controlled drying, and the use of various tools that are not available on location.

Our 9 Step Area Rug Cleaning Program

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  Step 1: Pre-Inspection and Pick Up

  Tus Group will come to your home to pick up your rug, or you may drop it by our shop. When we receive the rug, we will first determine its fiber content. Second, we will identify the rug to determine any cleaning considerations. Third, we will inspect for pre-existing conditions. Fourth, we will check for colorfastness. Then, during our pre-inspection, we will choose the cleaning method(s).

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  Step 2: Dry Soil Removal

  Woven rugs, especially hand knotted rugs are designed to hide dry soil. A few years ago, the Eureka company did a study and found that a 9 x 12 could hide 87 pounds of dirt! WOW! We use a machine called RUGBADGER which can drive dirt out of a rug no matter how impacted. The highly focused vibration put out by the RugBadger has been shown in many cases to be even more effective than full size dusting machines. This step is the most important in cleaning any textile.

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  Step 3: Pre-Conditioning

  Depending on fiber content and soiling type, the rug will be pre-treated to emulsify the soils.

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  Step 4: Pre-Spotting and Fringe Preparation

  Any potentially difficult spots will be pre-treated with special solutions to increase chances of removal. The fringe is also pre-treated for maximum soil removal.

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  Step 5: Shampoo

  Most rugs are cleaned with an Oriental Rug Shampoo that is especially designed to get maximum cleaning while protecting sensitive natural fibers.

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  Step 6: Rinse or Wash

  Depending on the type of rug it will be rinsed with extraction equipment on both sides or washed in a wash pit designed especially for Oriental Rugs.

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  Step 7: Speed Drying

  Once the soil is rinsed away, the rug is dried flat or hung to dry in a controlled environment. Proper drying is essential to avoid unnatural shrinkage.

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  Step 8: Finishing

  When the rug is dry, it is combed and finished with soft groomers made for specialty rugs.

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  Step 9: Post Inspection and Delivery

  Our cleaning specialist will give the rug a final inspection and release it for pick up or delivery. Your rug will be wrapped in brown craft paper to protect it from dust and environmental soils until it is picked up or delivered. Upon delivery, we will lay the rug for you.

Tips on Oriental and Area Rug Cleaning

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• Vacuum rugs regularly. 79% of soils in rugs are dry particulates that act like sandpaper and result in rug wear.
• The Oriental Rug Importers of America recommends that hand-made rugs be cleaned every 2-4 years. Rugs used in heavily trafficked areas such as an entry hall, may need to be cleaned every year.
• Rug protector really works! Wool rugs are generally sold without any type of stain protection. Adding rug protector will help keep your rugs in top condition against soils and stains.
• In case you have an accidental spill, immediately blot it. Then use cold water or club soda to clean it up before contacting The Tu's Group Inc. at 703-481-1261 for professional help. Please do not use over-the-counter spotters as they will produce discoloring and damage in the rugs.
• Do not have your rugs cleaned on location in your home except in extreme cases such as size, weight or furniture that makes bringing the rug in for cleaning in a plant difficult. In-home cleaning is much cheaper but leaves soap and dirt residue in the rug that causes the rug to resoil quickly. Also, on location, the fringe cannot be cleaned and the rug may mildew on the floor because of inadequate drying.
• In fact, we recommend in-plant cleaning. Always have your area rugs taken out of the home and cleaned by a professional cleaning company. If the company does not know what type of rug you have or the fiber content, chances are that they don't know much about cleaning area rugs.
• Rug padding is important. A pad helps minimize slippage, increases the life of the rug, makes the rug feel thicker and more luxurious, and absorbs noise. The best pads for hardwood floors are made with a layer of synthetic felted material on the top side with a rubber coating on the opposite side, which provides a protective layer between rugs and the floor.
• Beware: any rug seller who says the rug you have just bought should not be cleaned is hiding the fact that the rug will not withstand cleaning due to condition, foundation "painting" or other hidden defects. Painting refers to rugs that have been cosmetically enhanced by applying color to the foundation of the rug where it is worn. "Painting" is done to cover or conceal wear on older rugs, often without the buyer's knowledge.

Client Testimonials

• "Excellent. The work was done quickly and my rug is lanely and clean. Thank you - I will return and also pass you name to others."

  ~Edna Brown, Fairfax, VA

• "I have been referring clients to The Tu's Group for many years, as well as used their services personally. They are extremely knowledgeable in every aspect of their business, from carpet and hardwood flooring installation, carpet and upholstery cleaning (oriental carpets, too) to mold remediation. They are a trusted business partner for me and I highly recommend their services."

  ~Barbara Steiner, Associate Broker, ERA Teachers, Inc., Herndon, VA

Photos

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  Step 1. Pre-Inspection. Edge Damage

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  Step 1. Pre-Inspection. Foundation Damage

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  Step 1. Pre-Inspection. Fringe Damage

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  Step 1. Pre-Inspection. Fringe Damage

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  Step 1. Pre-Inspection. Moth Damage

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  Step 1. Pre-Inspection. Surface Stain

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  Step 1. Pre-Inspection. Urine! Eek! ... on the Back

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  Step 2. Dry Soil Removal. Rugbadger Machine

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  Step 3. Pre-Conditioning

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  Step 4. Pre-Spotting and Fringe Preparation

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  Step 4. Pre-Spotting and Fringe Preparation

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  Step 5. Shampoo

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  Step 5. Shampoo

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  Step 5. Shampoo

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  Step 6. Rinse or Wash. Deodorizing Chemicals Circulating in Wash Pit to Remove Urine

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  Step 6. Rinse or Wash

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  Step 6. Rinse or Wash. Urine Removal in Wash Pit

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  Step 6. Rinse or Wash. Urine Removal in Wash Pit ... EEK!

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  Step 7. Speed Drying on Rack

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  Step 7. Speed Drying

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  Step 8. Finishing

Videos

• Vacuuming

• Vacuuming

• Dry soil removal

• Shampooing

• Shampooing

• Washing or Rinsing

• Washing or Rinsing

• Washing or Rinsing

• Washing or Rinsing

• Washing or Rinsing

• Fringe Preparation

• Fringe Preparation

• Fringe Preparation

• Cleaning Methods

• Cleaning Methods

• Cleaning Methods

• Cleaning Methods

• Cleaning Methods

Certification

Your home deserves the best care it can get, and you can rest assured that it will with Tus Group Our specialists are carefully trained and certified by the best organizations in the industry. The following are certifications obtained by Tus Group Owner and President, Peter Tu.

• Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC, The CleanTrust)
• Rug Cleaning Technician
• Chemspec
• Oriental and Specialty Rug Cleaning

Our Service Areas

Tus Group provides services in the following areas: Northern Virginia, Loudoun County VA, Prince William County VA, Fairfax County VA, Arlington County VA, Sterling VA, Ashburn VA, Vienna VA, Great Falls VA, McLean VA, Reston VA, Herndon VA, Fairfax VA.