What Is Protector?

What is rug protector, how does it work, and is it worth it? In this short video, One World Rug Care explains what a fiber protector does for your area rugs, and why we recommend it to rug owners throughout Albuquerque and Northern New Mexico.

What Is Rug Protector?

Protector is a coating applied to rugs and textiles after they have been cleaned. It doesn't change the rug itself. Instead, it works on the individual fibers that make up the rug, at a molecular level. That helps prevent permanent staining and makes spots, spills and everyday dirt far easier to clean up.

At One World Rug Care we use Fiber ProTector, a water-based protector, and we are proud to be associated with Fiber ProTector of America.

Will Protector Change the Look or Feel of My Rug?

No. Protector is completely invisible and doesn't change the look or the feel of your rug at all. Experienced weavers who handle wool all day long can't tell the difference between fibers that have been protected and fibers that haven't.

How Protector Works

If someone spills something on a rug and then steps in it, the rug is going to get dirty. Nothing can prevent that. But a protected rug cleans up more easily and is far less likely to end up with a permanent stain.

Dirt Between the Fibers vs. Stains in the Fibers

Here's why protector matters. When a rug gets dirty or something is spilled on it, the soil works its way in between the fibers. That alone isn't a problem, because it can be cleaned out. The problem starts when something in the spill stains the fibers themselves. Once everything between the fibers is cleaned out, a stain that has re-dyed the fibers can remain. At that point it's a permanent part of the rug, and only expensive reweaving or re-dyeing can sometimes repair the damage.

Many rugs are given away or sold because of how they look, not because they are worn out. A good rug can last for hundreds of years, but if it looks stained and tired, people often don't want it anymore.

Protector Buys You Time

Spills should always be cleaned up immediately, or as soon as possible. In practical terms, what protector does is buy you time. When a spill happens, protector holds it near the surface for a short window, typically 10 to 15 minutes, so you have a better chance of blotting it up before it penetrates the fibers and becomes a permanent stain.

Protector and Pet Urine

Time matters most with pet accidents. Urine is extremely aggressive to rug fibers and can stain them even when protector has been applied. That's why it's important to clean up urine within 30 minutes using a diluted vinegar solution. If you're not sure how to do this, give us a call and we'll talk you through it. You can learn more in our video on pet urine and rugs.

Protector Helps Your Vacuum Work Better

Protector also makes it harder for dirt to cling to your rug. Spots clean up more easily, and studies show that regular vacuuming is more effective when protector has been applied. If your rug isn't vacuumed regularly you may not notice the difference, but if it's well maintained, you'll likely find it needs professional cleaning less often. See our tips on how to vacuum your rugs.

Keep in mind that protector isn't meant to keep your rug from getting dirty. What it does is make your rug far easier to clean.

Is Rug Protector Worth the Cost?

Protector does cost extra, but compared to the value of a rug, or even the cost of a cleaning, it's inexpensive. As rug care specialists, we hate to see beautiful pieces of textile art that took months to make by hand ruined by permanent stains. That's why we recommend protector for all of our clients, and why we use it on our own rugs at home. We believe it works.

Because protector wears with foot traffic and is removed by washing, we recommend reapplying it after each professional cleaning, or after a year or two of regular use.

Fiber ProTector for Rugs in Albuquerque and Santa Fe

One World Rug Care applies Fiber ProTector to freshly washed rugs at our Albuquerque facility, and we offer pick-up and delivery in Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Corrales, Placitas, Santa Fe, Taos, Farmington, Durango and Pagosa Springs. Learn more about Fiber ProTector or explore our other rug protection services.

Have questions about protector or anything else about your rugs? Call us at (505) 821-0302 or request a free estimate.