RUG KNOWLEDGE: CARE AND MAINTENANCE
Now that you have the perfect rug, you will want to enjoy it for as long as possible. We suggest following these simple steps to help maintain the beauty of your rug for many years to come.
PADDING
The first step in caring for your area rug is installing proper padding. Padding muffles the sound of footsteps, prevents the rug from sliding on smooth flooring, and adds cushioning underfoot. More importantly, padding helps extend the life of your rug by protecting your rug from incessant crushing between shoe heels and flooring. It also makes vacuuming easier. The proper padding is no more than one-half inch thick and is just smaller than the rug itself.
VACUUMING
A handmade rug’s greatest defense against wear and tear is the very substance of the rug itself: wool. Wool fibers tend to keep everyday dirt particles toward the surface. As you walk on the rug, however, these dirt particles can be forced down into the nap of the wool and begin to cut into the wool strands. Regular, weekly vacuuming removes surface dirt before it settles into the rug. Vacuum in the direction of the rug’s pile (By running your hand across the rug: it will feel smooth in one direction and coarse in the other. Vacuum in the smooth direction). If your rug is new, you can expect some shedding at first. This is natural, and you need not be alarmed. Shedding will subside after a few months of regular use and care.
ROTATING
You can also extend the life of your area rug by rotating your area rug 180 degrees every year or two. This helps to even out the effects of foot traffic and sunlight.
PREVENTION OF FADING
As all rugs are susceptible to fading, it is preferable to keep your area rug safe from exposure to direct sunlight, as too much sunlight may cause the colors to fade unevenly. Curtains or shades will help protect the rug. If exposure to sunlight is unavoidable, then rotating your rug becomes more significant.
SPILLS AND STAINS
It’s bound to happen, but the qualities of the wool will help protect the rug from spills. It is imperative, however, that you remove spills as quickly as possible. Scoop or scrape off solid stains with a dull instrument. Blot up excess liquid with paper towels. Club soda is always good to have on hand. If applied immediately, club soda is very effective on most stains. The bubbles in it dilute and lift the stain. Begin by lightly dampening a white cloth with club soda and gently messaging the stained area. Clean any stain from the outer edges inward to avoid spreading the stain. Then blot up any remaining excess liquid and elevate the dampened spot to allow air circulation. Finally, brush the pile with a soft brush to give the fibers a lift.
If the urine stain is fresh, cover the damp area with a layer of baking soda. Place a clean cloth over the baking soda, and apply pressure to allow the baking soda to absorb the urine. Use a spatula or spoon to scoop off the dampened baking soda, and repeat until the baking soda no longer becomes damp. Then place a clean cloth underneath the affected area, and blot the stain with club soda as directed above. Be sure to blot the stained area with a white towel each time. Afterwards, brush the pile with a soft brush and air–dry thoroughly with cool air. For urine that has dried or for large areas needing cleaning, professional services are recommended. We do not recommend using spot removers, spot cleaners or chemicals as they may damage the integrity of the rug.
Dried stains, such as mud and blood, can often be easily brushed away.
STORAGE
Before storing your rug, be sure to thoroughly vacuum it. While some hand knotted rugs can be stored folded, it is recommended that both hand knotted and hand tufted rugs be rolled in a tight cylinder shape for storage. This prevents the foundation from breaking, as well as the backing from wrinkling in the case of hand tufted rugs. Never place heavy objects on top of a rolled rug, as it will create creases in the rug and can even break the backing of a tufted rug.Once rolled, wrap the rug in sturdy, water-resistant paper. Use paper that will also resist tearing and/or puncturing. Avoid using plastic. Store the rug in a cool, dry, well–ventilated area. It is also recommended to open your rug once a year to inspect and vacuum it.