When it is cleaned properly, an area rug is one of the easiest things to salvage after a flood or fire. J&M Keystone is happy to share "Tips and Tricks" with readers to help them understand the best way to clean area rugs safely and effectively after a disaster:

• Drying is key.  If the rug is simply wet, remove it immediately from the water and hang it up so it will get plenty of air flow.  The more quickly an area rug is dried, the more likely it is that it can be salvaged.
• Do not use harsh chemicals. Many area rugs are made of delicate fibers that, while they can withstand wetting and drying, cannot stand up to harsh cleaning chemicals. It is important that area rugs are cleaned with approved chemicals to protect the fibers of which they are made.
• Know your material. In order to decide which cleaning products can be used on an area rug, you must know the material from which the rug is made.  Normally there is a tag that gives this information, but the tag could be missing.  Area rugs can be made of anything from silk to Orlon, so it is important to be able to tell the difference. The following table gives a guide to making an educated guess as to the material of which an area rug is made:

Material	Distinguishing Features	Cleaning Considerations
Wool	Very soft, natural fibers, dull appearance without shine	Fades easily, shrinks; dry cleaning may be more effective
Silk	Protein fiber often blended with other fibers for softness and sheen; reflects light at different angles	Difficult to clean; often dry cleaning methods are used
Cotton	Soft and strong; often used for rug backings	Easy to clean; may not be colorfast
Grass Fiber	Coarse and highly textured	May stain easily; often cleaned with simple natural soaps
Synthetic Fibers	May feel coarse and crush easily under weight	Can be cleaned with a variety of chemicals rated for those substances

If it is possible to identify the material, cleaning is much easier. If not, standard cleaning methods may be tried one by one until the right method is found.

• Spread rugs out.  When cleaning area rugs, it is important to spread them out not only for maximum drying but also to prevent wrinkles and creases.  When they are dry, roll them for storage or transport.

J&M Keystone can help devise methods to clean all types of area rugs and carpets after a flood or disaster.