Since few soft floor coverings are guaranteed against shrinkage, dimensional
changes should be expected during cleaning. Your skilled professional
fug cleaner takes every step economically possible to minimize this inherent
characteristic. In spinning and weaving, fibers and fabrics must be kept
under tension for proper functioning of the looms. Stretching occurs during
this operation and fibers and fabrics remain in this state until moisture
causes them to relax.
The amount of shrinkage which can be expected will depend upon the construction
of the rug and the fibers used in the backing. The density of the face
fibers will also have a bearing on the amount of shrinkage. On some rugs,
as much as 10% percent shrinkage will take place, but a 2% percent figure
is more realistic for the average rug. Shrinkage which causes dimensional
changes results entirely from wetting the backing yarns. The moisture
causes the fibers to swell and this forces the weave threads to contract.
Thus causing the overall floor covering to shrink. Most of the shrinkage
will occur during the first thorough wetting (cleaning).
Shrinkage can also take place in the home due to the rug's backing yarns
absorbing moisture from humid air.