How to Restore a Persian Rug

Removing Stains

• 1

  Dab a white paper towel on the stain immediately to prevent it from reaching the base of the fibers. Replace the soaked paper towel with a dry one and use as many as needed until the liquid is fully absorbed. If it is a hardened stain, insert a plastic spoon under the stain to loosen and release it from the rug. Vacuum the stain to remove any loose debris left behind.

• 2

  Combine 2 cups cold water and 2 to 3 tbsp. mild carpet shampoo and pour the mixture into a spray bottle.

• 3

  Spray a corner of the carpet with the soapy solution to test for color fastness. Consult a professional cleaner if the colors of the rug run. If the colors remain intact, spray the solution over the stain on the rug to douse it completely.

• 4

  Blot up the soapy solution on the rug with dry, white paper towels. Begin at the outer edges of the stain and work your way in. Use a dry towel when the previous one becomes saturated. Continue blotting the stain until it is fully removed.

• 5

  Cover the wet patch on the rug you were treating with a clean, wet towel to remove any soap residue and leave the carpet to air dry. Alternatively, move a hair dryer on a medium setting over the treated area in a circular motion for five to seven minutes or until dry, depending on the size of the stain.

Fixing Frayed Edges

• 6

  Trim any loose threads protruding from the rug so that they are the same length as the surrounding threads.

• 7

  Thread a heavy-duty cotton or wool thread that matches the carpet's colors into an upholstery needle and extend it to the amount you need, depending on the size of the frayed edges. You need enough thread to go over the frayed edge until covered, plus some additional since you will insert the needle 1/2-inch away from the damaged section. Knot the end of the thread and snip the excess off.

• 8

  Position the needle 1/2-inch away from the frayed edge and push the needle from the lower side of the carpet through to the upper side.

• 9

  Wrap the thread over the edge of the frayed section and press the needle into the underside of the carpet so it emerges from the upper level. Repeat the procedure of wrapping thread over the frayed edge until it is completely covered.

• 10

  Run a vacuum cleaner over the frayed side you just repaired to lift any threads that were matted down during the sewing process.

Fixing Tears

• 11

  Spread the carpet face-side-down on a clean work area to expose its back.

• 12

  Use a putty knife to gently press loose threads through the tear.

• 13

  Cut a length of duct tape to 3 to 4 inches longer than the tear.

• 14

  Pull together both the sides of the tear to join them so that the tear is not visible anymore.

• 15

  Use one hand to join both edges of the tear and the other to spread the tape carefully over the tear.

• 16

  Press on the tape to ensure it fully adheres to the surface before flipping the carpet right-side up.