Silk Rug Cleaning in Austin, TX — Professional Care for Delicate Fibers

A silk rug is a work of art. Indeed, rugs made purely of silk are rare. Most silk rugs are a combination of silk and other fabrics such as wool or nylon. Wherever you've put your silk rug, you should insist that it be cleaned only by the best. Even a silk rug displayed as artwork is going to need cleaning. When the time comes, our professionals at Aegis Fine Rug Cleaning are ready.

From Filament To Fabric: The Silk-Making Process

Legend says silk was first discovered when a Chinese Empress sat beneath a tree and a cocoon fell into her hot tea. The heat unraveled the cocoon into delicate, lustrous threads that were unsurpassed in their delicate sheen and softness. . That cocoon came from the Bombyx mori moth, native to China but now raised worldwide for silk production. A female moth lays hundreds of eggs, and the resulting caterpillars are carefully raised on mulberry leaves until they spin their cocoons.

Most are harvested before the moth emerges, as breaking out damages the fibers. However, in producing ahimsa, or “peace” silk, moths are allowed to emerge, leaving behind shorter fibers that are spun into silk and often blended with other materials.

Once harvested, the cocoons are sorted by color and texture, then soaked in water to dissolve the sericin—the natural glue that holds the fibers together. A machine called a filature carefully unravels the threads from several cocoons at once, winding them together into long, continuous filaments. These filaments are twisted into skeins through a process called “throwing,” where multiple threads are combined to create fabrics ranging from sheer and delicate to strong and heavy. This centuries-old process transforms a humble caterpillar’s shelter into one of the world’s most luxurious and versatile textiles.

Silk can be dyed before or after it’s woven. If silk is dyed before it's woven, the process is called skein dying. If it’s dyed after it's woven, it’s called piece dying.

Understanding the Nature of Silk Rugs

Like other rugs, silk rugs are made on a loom. Nowadays, looms are automated, but you still might find an artisan who weaves rugs by hand. Along with its outstanding beauty, a silk rug can be surprisingly tough, though it lacks the springiness of other textiles used for rugs and carpets. Unlike wool rugs, silk rugs do not bounce back after getting wet, and they can’t stand too much heat. Silk rugs are also easier to crease, scuff and damage overall, and you need to take care to protect them. A silk rug can take natural or synthetic dyes, though some people feel that chemical dyes are too glaring.

The Risks of Improper Silk Rug Cleaning

The reason your rug needs expert silk rug cleaning in Austin is that improper cleaning can ruin it. Aside from being quite expensive, a well-crafted silk rug is a work of art. Improper cleaning can cause your rug’s beautiful, rich colors to bleed, damage the delicate fibers and distort its pile.

Why Professional Cleaning Is the Only Safe Option

Professional silk rug cleaning in Austin, TX is the only safe option if you want your beloved possession to look its best and last long enough to be passed down as an heirloom. No layperson should ever attempt to deep clean a silk rug.

Inside the Professional Silk Rug Cleaning Process

Gentleness is the watchword when cleaning a silk rug. First, our professional checks the rug. We’ll notice any stains and imperfections. After the inspection, we’ll gently shake any soil out of the rug and then perform a color test with a bit of rug shampoo to see if there’s any color movement. This test is often done in a less conspicuous area of the rug.
 

This has to be done by hand since silk fibers are so sensitive to water. After our silk rug washing experts in Austin hand wash your rug, we remove as much water as we can. Then we hang the rug in a drying room where it’s dried by fans and a dehumidifier.

What Sets Austin’s Top Silk Rug Cleaners Apart

Here is how our silk rug cleaners are different from other businesses that perform rug cleaning in Austin.

 

• We wash our rugs by hand. Other companies may use machines that may be too harsh for silk rugs.

 

• Pick up and delivery service. You don’t have to find a way to bring your rug to us.

 

• Our owner cleans every rug personally.

 

• No hidden costs

 

• We wrap and store your rug for free if you can’t collect it right away.

 

 

How Often Should Silk Rugs Be Professionally Cleaned?

At Aegis Rug Cleaning, our experts recommend that your silk rug be professionally cleaned every 18 to 24 months. This depends on where it’s located in your home and how much traffic it gets.

Preserving the Beauty and Value of Silk Rugs

Of course, there are things you can do to help preserve the beauty and value of your silk rug. You should gently vacuum it periodically and insist that people only walk on it with bare or stockinged feet. You also need to protect your silk rug from direct sun, spills and pets. Even so, the best way is to opt for professional silk rug cleaning in Austin, TX.
 
When you need silk rug cleaning in Austin, reach out to us at Aegis Fine Rug Cleaning.