Why Is My Rug Misshaped After Cleaning?

If you recently tried cleaning your rug and ended up with a misshaped, unrecognizable mess, you’re not alone. This is one of the most common DIY rug cleaning disasters. Rug cleaning is a professional task that should be tackled by experienced experts, not amateur homeowners. When homeowners take things into their own hands, the results can be less than pleasing.

In this blog, we’ll help you understand why you’re dealing with a misshaped rug after cleaning. We’ll also help you undo the damage and prevent this situation from reoccurring in the future. Keep reading!

1. Latex Displacement

Buckling/rippling often occurs due to latex displacement. When hot water is used to clean  it heats and expands the latex adhesive in the carpet. This results in extra space at the back.  Since the extra space has to go somewhere, it develops buckles/ripples.

The good part is that this goes away on its own. As the carpet dries, the latex will regain its normal size and shape. However, in some cases, the rippling and buckling persists. This process is also known as expansion differential.  It is good to understand that latex breaks down naturally on it’s own and Alameda Cleaners use methods that help minimize the process while still providing you with a fresh and clean rug.

Recommended Read: Why Does My Carpet Feel Hard and Crunchy After Cleaning?

2. High Humidity

Living in the Pacific Northwest there is a good chance your rug was cleaned during high humidity, this may cause it to develop ripples and buckles. This happens because high indoor humidity prevents them from drying fully. Since it remains damp, it stretches. This can be easily avoided by running a dehumidifier in the space or having Alameda wash and dry it in a controlled environment.

3. Improper Cleaning

Rugs must be cleaned using the right equipment, products, tools, and solutions. If you’re not careful, you’ll end up with a misshaped carpet after cleaning. When the wrong tools and harsh cleaning agents are used, the layers of the carpet can get damaged. This may result in the carpet losing its original shape and wrinkling.

Unfortunately, this level of damage is very difficult to undo. This is why hiring professional cleaners is extremely important. While you may think a DIY job will turn out well, chances are the results will be less-than-impressive. In the best-case scenario, it will be improperly cleaned without any damage. Worst-case scenario, you’ll end up with damaged fibers that cannot be restored.

4. Using Too Much Water

If you use too much water to clean your  rugs and let the water sit for way too long, your rug may become misshaped. Rugs should be quickly and thoroughly dried post-cleaning. As the moisture sits atop and settles all the way down to the pile, the risk of stretching increases.

This is often the result of steam cleaning your rug.  Avoid this approach. Instead, turn to professionals who speed-dry your rug to eliminate all the moisture. At Alameda Cleaners, we use a high-velocity air mover and a controlled temperature drying room immediately after cleaning without any delay. This helps us achieve faster drying and eliminate the risk of stretching and misshaping.

Recommended Read: Silk Rug Cleaning: Dos and Don’ts

Our team goes the extra mile to achieve complete client satisfaction. With over 45 years of experience and a team of skilled technicians, we turn neglected carpets into statement interior pieces.

If you’re looking for rug cleaning services in  the greater Portland and Vancouver areas, give us a call today. We also provide carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, air duct cleaning, business cleaning, and MicroSeal fabric protection services.