Rugs are a nice addition to any room and add comfort. However, they are also prone to accumulating a lot of dirt and grime and can easily be stained (splish splash of red wine comes to mind). Pets also love to use rugs and therefore they need to be cleaned thoroughly on a regular basis. Rugs can come in many different types and are usually classified by the size, type of fibre and country of origin. But, no matter what type of rug it is, cleaning them really is a task best left to experts like 1 Stop Wash.

Did you know? 

• A rug can absorb up to five times its own weight in water. This is because rugs are almost always made of a soft material — wool, cotton, etc., that have air pockets. So, when exposed to water (we get plenty of rain in good old Blighty), the air cells fill up, and the fibers soak it all up. And once they get wet, they don’t release the water so easily. That causes internal decomposition and — releases the dreaded and frankly unwanted rug odours which can bring down the vibe of any room.

Rug stain removal

• Rug fabric, despite being strong, can get damaged easily if not cleaned and maintained properly. That’s why, when you send in your rugs for dry cleaning at 1 Stop Wash, our rug cleaning experts fully inspect them and then spot clean stains and any other areas that need addressing. In the past we’ve cleaned some of the toughest stains imaginable — things like blood, curry and even urine from pets come to mind so your rugs are in safe hands with us because we have the know how when it comes to rug dry cleaning.

Many years of rug dry cleaning experience

• At 1 Stop Wash, our experts are trained in dealing with all kinds of rugs, no matter the fabric, country of origin, vintage, size or purpose. Unlike other rug dry cleaners, the 1 Stop Wash process ensures that the finished result is as close to brand-new as possible. We only use mild biodegradable detergents that are kinder both to your rugs and to the environment.
• We’re a member of the Guild of Launderers and Dry Cleaners, an organisation that contains only the best dry cleaners and laundry services with a history of successful results. What’s more is that 1 Stop Wash is a proud London business that supports local business and sustainability. Our rug dry cleaning service is highly rated by customers of 1 Stop Wash across all of London and is sure to put a smile on your face.

1. Checking Care Labels

All rugs are different and that’s why we first note down any special washing instructions mentioned in the care labels. We also encourage you to send us notes about the kind of result you’re expecting. That goes a long way in achieving the best possible rug dry cleaning result. 

2. Stain Spotting 

We’ve cleaned blood, milk, curry, ink, lipstick and so much more. But the key to delivering a clean rug is to spot it in time. Then, we select the cleaning solution and hand-clean the affected area. Magically, the spots vanish as if they were never there in the first place! 

3. Eco-Friendly Cleaning

We’re one of the first users of WetCare within London, an eco-friendly, biodegradable cleaning process that has revolutionised the dry cleaning business. It’s kinder to the environment because it does not have perchlorates or PERC which are preferred by traditional dry cleaners across the UK. Plus, we are powered by green electricity thanks to our partnership with Ecotricity who are the UK’s biggest provider of green energy. We’re also electrifying our fleet of pick up and delivery vans in the upcoming year. 

4. Into the Machine

At 1 Stop Wash, we use washing machines that are powerful enough to accommodate all sizes of rugs. Each one is thoroughly inspected to calculate the right combination of water temperature, detergent concentration and drum cycle. Every fabric requires a different cycle and detergent combination. Once this is complete, the machine does the rest of the work. Whatsmore, our machines are extremely water and energy efficient, so we’re kinder to the environment, too. 

5. Drying 

Rugs need to be dried out because they absorb a much larger volume of water then other items. We either steam or hand dry the rugs depending on the fabric and instructions you send into us. A well-dried rug will feel soft, flexible and just as premium as a new one. It’s one of the most important steps in the process and removes that horrible stink old rugs have.

6. Packaging

Unlike other types of clothing, rugs require special finishing procedures that vary according to the material, age and country of origin. Thankfully, our expert rug dry cleaners know their rugs and will not give up until they’ve achieved a first-class finish that we can be proud of. When this is done, the rugs are carefully packaged into biodegradable bagging and delivered back to your doorstep within 48-72 hrs.