Rug Care

Rug Care & Common Characteristics

With proper care, a new rug can look its best for years to come. This doesn’t just apply to how rugs are cleaned, but also how they are stored and what other products are used with them to extend their lifespan.

COLOUR

Sometimes very slight colour variations occur across dye lots so the colour of handmade rugs may be marginally different from samples, or each production.

CREASING

When a new rug is delivered it may show some creases from being folded for shipping. These will disappear after the rug has been laid flat for some time. Rolling the rug with the pile facing outwards and leaving it like that overnight will speed the process up.

ODOUR

As rugs are shipped in a sealed bag, odours from dyes and fibres can accumulate over time. This odour will naturally dissipate over time when the rug is removed from its bag.

WEAR AND FADING

Rugs are subject to wear and tear over time and can become faded if exposed to direct sunlight. They should be rotated every three months to minimise this.

SHEDDING AND SPROUTS

New rugs often shed loose fibres as a natural part of the wearing in process. This will stop with time, particularly after they have been vacuumed a few times. Some rugs are more prone to shedding than others. Some loose, long fibres, known as “sprouts ”, may appear above the surface of the rug and can be trimmed with scissors to even the pile.

Cleaning Your Rugs

GENERAL TIPS

• Clean spills immediately so that they do not become set in the rug
• Don’t rub stains as it can cause them to become set in the fibres, rather, blot them with a cloth
• After cleaning, use dry towels to absorb remaining moisture
• When having rugs cleaned professionally (especially handmade rugs), always make use of reputable rug experts
• Before professional cleaning, ensure that the rug is inspected with the cleaner to confirm its condition and obtain a signed receipt and guarantee of work

WOOL RUGS

• Vacuum wool rugs regularly (weekly) to keep them looking their best – do not use rotating head on vacuum
• When cleaning, use only cold or lukewarm water to avoid shrinkage and damage
• Blot away any spills immediately and then clean with mild soap and water – do not use oxygen cleaners
• Avoid exposure to direct sunlight to prevent fading
• For best results, professional cleaning is recommended

NATURAL FIBRE RUGS

• Natural fibres are highly absorbent
• Vacuum regularly (weekly) with a non rotating head attachment to prevent dirt from becoming trapped in the fibres
• Do not steam clean or saturate with water – this can cause rugs to shrink or be damaged
• Avoid exposure to direct sunlight to prevent fading
• Periodic professional cleaning (preferably suction or dry extraction) is recommended for best results

VACUUMING

Regular vacuuming, ie. weekly, is important to keep rugs in top condition. It helps to remove any surface dirt before it can be ground into the fibres and helps prevent discolouration and staining with time.

VACUUMING TIPS

• Canister vacuums without beater bars are recommended for cleaning rugs
• Brooms and other manual sweeping methods are also suitable for cleaning rugs
• Hand-held rug-cleaning attachments should be used where possible
• Beater bars are not recommended because they can damage rugs
• If beater bars must be used, then they should be set to the highest setting and care taken not to damage the fibres
• Powerful vacuums are not recommended because they can pull fibres from the base of a rug
• Always vacuum in direction of hand braid
• Avoid running vacuums over edges and fringes repeatedly as this can damage them

STORAGE

Proper storage of rugs is important to prolong their lifespan and prevent them from becoming damaged over time. Ideally, the rug should first be thoroughly cleaned and dried before being rolled up and left in a cool, dry, dark space. Climate-controlled spaces are preferable to prevent fluctuations in temperature and humidity that can damage rugs.

RUG STORAGE TIPS

• If possible, wrap rugs in plastic or fabric before storage

• Clean storage areas regularly to discourage insects

• Rugs should not have heavy objects placed on top of them as these can cause damage and compression to fibres.