How Do You Stop a Rug from Color Bleeding in Brea, CA; Keep Out of Sun, Steam Cleaning & More

As rugs age they will begin to fade and lose their color. When rugs lose their color, one discovers that often it occurs slowly over time. When rugs begin to bleed, lose their color, or appear faded and almost bleached out, it makes the rug look old, worn, and dirty. The good news is; rug bleeding can to a great extent be prevented with proper care and maintenance. My Steam Green Carpet Cleaning Orange County delves into this further below.

Choose Colorfast Rugs

Before we explain why color bleeds in rugs it is important to first understand colorfastness. Colorfastness is often used to describe a feature that some rugs have. Colorfast refers to the rugs ability to resist fading or bleeding. When buying a rug that is labeled colorfast, the rug should retain its color longer and is a wise investment. However, not everyone knows what colorfast means and even over time, colorfast rugs can lose their color. Many rugs will bleed and lose their color especially after repeated cleanings. To understand the cause of the color loss or bleeding, one can help prevent the dye from leaving the rug.

Why Do Rugs Bleed?

Fugitive Dye – When the color or dye in the rug fades or bleeds from sunlight exposure, this is often the result of the type of dye used for the rugs. Fugitive dyes are often used in rugs and can fade due to sunlight exposure. Since fugitive dye comes from natural sources, they are prone to fade in the sunlight. They can also fade when frequently washed.
Excess Dye – When there is excess dye in the rug, it is prone to bleeding especially when washed. Excess dye is common and is found in new rugs. When a newer rug is being washed for the first time, they have the tendency to bleed a lot. To prevent bleeding due to excess dye, it is best to use a professional rug cleaning service. They should use a dye stabilizer solution before washing the rug to prevent bleeding.
Over Dyed – Over dye is very similar to excess dye. Essentially there is too much dye in the rug and when exposed to water, it causes the dye to bleed out and run in the rug when washed. However, over dye occurs when dye is added after the rug has already been woven. Extra dye is added to pre-woven rugs if the rug’s design is to create an antique look or feel to the rug. Over dyeing is often done on Persian and oriental rugs.
Dye Color – Red dyes and stronger colors are more susceptible to bleeding as well as fading than other colors. Red dye will often begin to look a reddish brown color after washing or after a lot of sun exposure. Blue dyes will fade due to exposure to chemicals with high levels of alkaline, especially blues that may have a green component. However, blue can also fade if urinated on by a pet and can develop small faded stains throughout the rug. Urine contains alkaline which causes the bleeding.

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Never over wash a rug and keep it out of direct sunlight to protect the rug from fading. It is important to use a professional rug cleaning service to prevent the dye from bleeding. My Steam Green Carpet Cleaning Orange County can help restore rugs that have been stained and lost their color. To schedule our services, contact us today.