He steam cleaned your wool rugs on your driveway?

I think that would have been my warning sign. Take them to a dry cleaner specializing in wool rugs. They should not smell like wet wool or mildew.

Oh, my. It's not sounding good. Wool rugs should not be staem cleaned, rather professionally cleaned by a reputable cleaner sho specializes in oriental rugs. Ask me how I know. Even though the cleaning process for wool rugs involves water, it's not of the steam variety. They actually immerse the rugs in a special solution and then, if need be, deodorize and sanitize them. I once tried steam cleaning a small wool area rug the animals had ooopsed on, and it was just horrible. I do believe I made the smell even worse, if that's at all possible. The smell did not leave until I finally took it to be professionally cleaned. Thank heavens it was saved.

Thanks guys. I had no idea you weren't supposed to steam clean them -- in fact, I got the idea from the poster here who hauled all her rugs out, rented a rug doctor, and cleaned them in her driveway.

I specifically asked him to do them in the driveway for a few reasons -- one was that they were already rolled up in the basement because of the aforementioned puppy accidenets - I would have had to haul them into the house and clear a spot on the floor (move furniture, etc). Also, our hardwood floors are pretty beat and don't have the best finish on them, and I was concerned that all the water and steam from cleaning rugs would damage them. So I had him do them in the driveway.

Yesterday, the rugs didn't seem to smell at all - today (much more humid weather), I can smell them again. Maybe I'll give it a few weeks and see if the smell goes away -- if not, I'll send them out for professional cleaning (should have done that in the first place, I guess, but I figured I was already having the guy come to clean the sofas, so I might as well try having the rugs done as well). The (from what I hear) best oriental rug cleaning place is an hour's drive away and I wanted to spare myself the hassle of hauling them there (they offer pickup/delivery but it's pricey and spotty (like one day a month that they're in this area so I'd have to wait a long time). Plus it's pricey - like over twice the amount the steam cleaning cost. But I guess you get what you pay for, huh? Oh well -- lesson learned. I'm just happy that based on mrsmarv's experience, it seems they are not beyond hope -- another cleaning should save them if the smell doesn't go away on its own.

Thanks again!

...Oh well -- lesson learned..

Ooooh, I'm afraid so :(

If it's any consolation, I can assure you that you have lots of company. I get calls weekly from people that did the same thing for all the same reasons you stated.

Steam cleaning has its place--with w-w carpet, but will never provide the same type of thorough cleaning a wet washing can.

On the plus side, Karastans clean up beautifully with a professional wet washing, so you should be in good shape :)

Jane

"Maybe I'll give it a few weeks and see if the smell goes away..."

Sorry to say, but you're tinkling up a tree ;o) Save yourself time and aggravation and send them to be professionally cleaned sooner rather than later. They will not stop smelling, except maybe for a day or two when it's not humid. And since there's animal "residue" still in the fibers, eventually one of the furkids will gravitate back to that same spot. It's amazing how finite a feline or canine's sense of smell is. Truth be told, you're only putting off the inevitable.

On the subject of having pets urinate on carpets and how to get rid of the smell.....our cat had several seizures last week and urinated on the wall-to-wall carpet. I've read of a product called Anti-Icky-Poo - an enzyme cleaner. Does anyone have any experience with this product? Thanks!

I don't know if this would work, but I might try running the AC even when you aren't home and putting a dehumidifier in the area the rugs are to kep them dry quicker. After doing that for maybe 5 days see if the smell comes back.

Scooter, Nature's Miracle is the one I'm familiar with, but there are other enzyme cleaners. In my last home, I finally went to using Clorox in my carpet cleaner. Didn't hurt the carpets at all and totally killed the smell. Test it in a closet first, for color-fastness. In this home I got all the carpets yanked and wood floors. I absolutely love it! I wish I'd done that long ago in my former home. Pets and w-2-w carpeting don't go well together.