Care and Maintenance

Tips for General Rug Care

We recommend calling on a professional rug cleaner in the event that your rug needs to be cleaned. The decision as to how often you clean you rug is ultimately up to you, the owner. However, depending on the amount of traffic that your rug is exposed to you may choose to have it cleaned more or less frequently. Rugs that contain a canvas backing or latex backed rugs cannot be cleaned using petroleum-based solvents. These solvents will break down the latex glue that is a component of the overall structure of the rug resulting in damage to the rug. Every wool rug has been mothproofed compound applied to the yarns during the dyeing process.

Cleaning

Always vacuum your rugs on a regular basis. Before attempting to clean any rug please test a small inconspicuous area for color fastness using a damp white towel. If any color comes off on the towel, the dyes may run during cleaning. Clean up spills immediately by blotting with a paper towel, cloth or sponge. Always make sure that you have removed as much of a spill as possible before applying cleaner of any sort. Remember, most common spills and stains may be able to be treated by sparingly using a solution of warm water with a very small amount of mild detergent then sparingly using warm water only to blot and flush out the area.

In the event that you do not feel comfortable cleaning your rug yourself please seek the help of a professional rug cleaner. You may also wish to have your rug cleaned periodically by a professional rug cleaner.

How To Choose Your Professional Rug Cleaner

You should always check with your rug cleaner to make certain that they are familiar with the actual type of your rug and the recommended methods of properly cleaning it. Be sure to look over the rug along with the professional cleaner pointing out the troubled areas and noting the overall condition of your rug prior to cleaning. Also check to see if the professional cleaner carries insurance to pay or replace your rug in the event it is damaged.

Opening Your Package and Unrolling Your Rug

Please use caution when unpacking your rug. You must be careful not to cut or damage the rug with open blades, scissors, utility knives and etc. Once your new rug has been opened, place it in a flat surface large enough to accommodate the size of your rug and unroll it so that it may lie flat on the floor. In the event that you are not able to open your packaging or that you have opened the packaging but you cannot use your rug immediately please be sure that it is stored in a controlled safe environment and rolled or laid flat. Do not store a rolled rug in an upright position as this may cause damage to the rug.

After first opening the new rug it may have a little wrinkle or unevenness that might prevent it from lying flat on the floor. Do not worry because this sometimes is a common occurrence due to the rug being rolled or folded for packaging and shipping. Any wrinkle or unevenness can be removed when the proper care and patience is used. The majority of unevenness often works itself out when the rug has the opportunity to lay flat in its new environment for several days. Otherwise simply lay the rug on to a completely flat surface then using the handle of a broom or similar pole smooth out the wrinkle starting in the center working towards both ends separately.

Reversing and Rotating

Over the life of your rug you may wish to reverse or rotate the actual rug in the room in which it is kept. This allows for the natural traffic patterns in your room to be reversed on the surface of the rug thus prolonging the life of the rug by distributing the traffic evenly. This rotation should be done on an annual basis.

Sprouting

In the event that excess sprouts of yarn begin to show on the surface of the rug simply clip each individual yarn off at the base along the face of the rug with scissors. Please do not pull the yarn out because this might result in permanent damage to the rug. In certain rugs, sprouting is a normal characteristic and may be expected throughout the life of the rug. Sprouting does not and will not affect the durability or overall life of the rug.

Repair

In the event that your rug is damaged you may be able to perform simple repairs on loose serging or yarn. In the event the damage is more severe or that you are not confident in your ability to repair the rug to your own satisfaction please seek the assistance of a rug repair professional in your immediate area.