Why is it important to filter and soften the water?

I'm sure you've heard the terms 'hard water' and 'soft water' and wondered what they mean, or whether one type of water is better than the other? To understand, let's examine the definitions of the terms 'hard water' and 'soft water'.

Soft Water: when water condenses from the atmosphere as rain, it is basically PURE WATER since it has not been in contact with the earth and ground, and is therefore very "soft" water because it does not contain any dissolved minerals.

Hard Water: is any water containing an appreciable quantity of dissolved minerals such as Calcium and Magnesium and is usually found in Well water and many Municipalities Tap water, particularly in the Tri-State NY area. As water makes its way through the ground and into our waterways, it picks up a considerable amount of minerals, like chalk, lime and mostly calcium and magnesium.

These minerals affect wool, silk and cotton in a serious but gradual manner, by causing a fast fading of colors, yellowing of whites, and shortened fabric life, leaving fabrics looking dingy. In addition, when you add soap to hard water it forms a crystalline salt often referred to as 'soap scum'.  This happens due to a chemical reaction between soap and the minerals, making it very difficult to rinse and clean.

Soft water, on the other hand, actually performs much more effectively. Soap lathers better and scum-free, fabrics are left soft and not damaged, and most importantly, soft water will prolong the life of your rugs. A clean rug increases the air quality of your home, leaving you and your family in a healthier environment.

As you can see, there are many benefits to RevitaRUGS™ using soft water to clean your rug, we use less water, less soap, and in most conditions no softeners.

What makes RevitaRUGS™ process "green"?

Our process has been designed from start to finish to minimize the impact on the environment while enhancing the overall health of your home. We use only dye-, perfume-, and VOC-free soaps; our plant is engineered to use less electricity and other natural resources; and the water we use is filtered and purified to laboratory standards, ensuring that no pollutants are transferred to your rug during the cleaning process.

Our philosophy of green clean-from ultra fuel-efficient delivery vehicles to natural resource conservation-supports our commitment to you and to our planet. For more information on our green practices, contact us at [email protected].

How long does it take?

While working around your schedule is our first priority, ensuring that the rugs we return to our customers are as clean and refreshed as possible normally requires 3-4 days. In cases that require extra TLC, it may take longer. It's also possible for us to work faster in the case of urgent stains or impending in-law visits. Just call one of our rug care experts and they'll be happy to help.

Can I drop off and pick up my rugs myself?

Certainly! If you prefer to deliver and pickup your rug yourself, or if you live outside of our delivery area, simply call to let us know you're coming and then drop off your rugs at our care and cleaning facility at:

RevitaRUGS
352 Washington Avenue
Carlstadt, NJ 07072
T 201-641-1100

If you'd like to ship your rug to us instead, we'll help you locate one of our many rug gallery partners who can assist you. If we haven't yet partnered with a gallery near you, we'll help arrange for proper packing and shipping, no matter where you live.

How does RevitaRUGS keep my rug safe?

We've rigorously tested our process to ensure its safety on all types of rugs. The RevitaRUGS teams who handle your rugs are specially trained and held to the highest standards of care. Finally, we photograph each rug we clean and repair in detail, to visually ensure no damage occurs. Our digital camera is capable of microscopic detail, allowing us to view individual fibers from root to end. Any issues we discover will be photographed, documented, and sent for your review. RevitaRUGS is fully insured and bonded.

How do you clean silk rugs?

RevitaRUGS is one of the very few cleaning services with the expertise to wash silk rugs with water. In fact, most cleaners—afraid of causing fiber damage and color runs—use strong dry chemicals to “clean” silk rugs. Dry chemicals damage delicate silk fibers, driving deeper into their structure with every step and eventually causing cracking and breaking.

To us, that's unconscionable. We've spent years blending science with art to achieve the same level of deep clean for silk rugs as we do all others without damaging a single thread. We've used this process over 1000 times on precious silk rugs at our European facility with amazing results.

If I stain my rug, should I pretreat it before calling RevitaRUGS?

We urge you not use household cleaners or chemicals to pretreat stains. Gently blot the stain with a paper towel until dry. Use a little cool water if necessary (hot water can set the stain) and repeat the blotting to reduce the stain's density. Keep foot traffic off the stain and let us handle the rest.

How often should I have my handmade Oriental, Persian or other types of rugs cleaned?

Industry guidelines and EPA recommendations vary depending on a lot of factors: from the amount of traffic, to the presence of pets, to your home's HVAC system. Generally, your rugs should be thoroughly cleaned at least once a year and, for many households, twice a year.

Of particular concern is your rug's exposure to biological contaminants like bacteria, mold, mildew, viruses, animal dander and saliva, dust, mites, bugs, and pollen. Central air systems are a favorite breeding ground for mold and mildew, in particular. They become airborne easily and settle into your rugs. That's why we recommend a professional cleaning for your rugs at least annually.

Can you get the pet odor/stain out of my rug?

Yes. We've developed a special process to deal with the complex chemistry of pet stains. It's incredibly effective and just a safe and green as our other services.

The reason that pet odors can linger even after a stain appears to be gone is because the agents in pet urine that discolor rugs are separate from those that cause unpleasant smells. Frequently, these odors are masked with strong perfumes, only to find that their rug smells even worse. The chemicals in pet urine must be neutralized rather than masked, and that's exactly how our process works.