Easy Care & Maintenance

We know that you will enjoy it for years to come. Area rugs are one of the easiest ways to freshen the look, colour and style of your home. Like any investment, a rug must be properly taken care of if it is to last. Following are tips for extending rug life.
All rugs are handmade by skilled artisans in a specialty manufacturing facility and are checked to meet quality standards before shipment.

The following seven simple facts will help you to understand your rug and ways to prolong its life:

1) Colour– No two rugs are the same. Slight colour variations are common for handmade rugs, as dye lots may change over a period of time.

2) Shedding-All wool rugs will shed. Shedding will subside over time, depending on traffic and wear. It typically takes 20-25 vacuums, at a minimum, to curtail shedding. Some will shed for the lifetime of the rug.

3) Sprouts-Loose fibres, or sprouts, are a normal part of the break-in process of handmade rugs. To remove sprouts, use a small pair of scissors to snip them off even with the pile. Do not pull the finer out, as this can cause a deterioration of the backing.

4) Creases-If your rug has been rolled or folded for shipping, it may include creases. Creases should disappear within a week or two when the rug is laid out flat. Reverse rolling the rug overnight will help.

5) Odour-Odours are caused by dyes, yarns and shipping for long distances in sealed wrap. Most odours dissipate within a week once the rug is removed from the shipping wrap.

6) Fading-If exposed to direct sunlight, rug colours typically fade over time, even if they are fade resistant.

7) Wear & tear-As a general rule, rugs of all materials and constructions should be rotated every 3-6 months to balance colour and evenly distribute wear.

General maintenance

Keep in mind that carpets, compared to hard-surface floors, localise spills and prevent them from spreading quickly. It is wise to anticipate maintenance from the very first day the carpet is installed. Otherwise, abrasive dirt may build up faster than it can be handled. Stains and spills in food service areas will be very common. Hence, it is essential to plan daily preventive maintenance – which includes both regular vacuuming and spot cleaning.

Effective daily preventive maintenance

Use stiff bristle walk-off mats at all building entrance and kitchen exit areas to collect dirt before it reaches the carpet.
Mats should be vacuumed daily and must be changed at least once a week. It’s best to keep two sets of walk-off mats.

Vacuuming schedules and equipment

Use a Cylinder Vacuum Cleaner without a beater bar. Brushes should be raised away from the surface of the pile, and suction reduced to the minimum amount needed.

To avoid pushing dirt back into the fibres, vacuum in the direction of the pile. The frequency of vacuuming should match traffic and soil conditions. ‘Track-off’ areas at building and / or kitchen entrances must be vacuumed several times a day.

High traffic	Vacuum daily (extremely high traffic lanes may require vacuuming several times daily)
Medium traffic	Vacuum two to three times weekly
Light traffic	Vacuum weekly

Detergent solutions

Harsh detergents can be risky. Inappropriate cleaning agents can cause dyes to bleed or fade. Before using an untested detergent, it is wise to try it first on a small, inconspicuous section. Be careful not to spill or over-spray. Detergents may leave sticky residues that will cause rapid re-soiling. Use a detergent that dries too crisp flakes which can be vacuumed easily.

Please Note: Detergent solutions for wool, viscose, bamboo silk, and pure silk should have a neutral PH – between 5.0 and 7.5

Periodic cleaning methods

There are two common approaches:

Dry foam with extraction
Dry extraction

Please do not use spin bonnets, rotary brushes or rotary extractors. Their rotary action can severely distort the pile yarn.

DETAILED MAINTENANCE OF YOUR RUG:

Vacuuming: Routine vacuuming with a high quality vacuum cleaner is the most important thing you can do to maintain the beauty of your rug. Vacuum thoroughly and frequently with a canister vacuum (preferably one without beater bars). This prevents permanent damage by keeping soil particles from working their way deep into your rug. Rugs placed in high traffic areas of your home or office should be vacuumed more frequently. Never vacuum the fringes of your rug, especially a handknotted rug.

Many of today’s upright vacuums are super high powered. The high suction can pull out the threads from the back of a rug and cause “sprouts.” Use the handheld attachment to vacuum your area rug, whenever possible. If you choose not to (or are unable to use) the handheld attachment on your upright vacuum, make sure to turn off the vacuum’s beater bar, as it can pull fibres from the face of the rug and cause the rug to fuzz. If the beater bar cannot be turned off, set it on the highest position possible before vacuuming. Then carefully place the vacuum on the rug. If the rug has surged (finished) edges, refrain from continuously running the vacuum over the edges, as this will loosen fibres around the edges and cause them to deteriorate. Avoid running the vacuum over the fringes at the ends of the rug, as fraying may occur. Use the handheld attachment to clean the fringes. If a rug is reversible, make sure to vacuum both sides. This will remove grit and grime that can prematurely wear out your rug.

How to Clean Your Rug:

Cleaning Spills:
Act quickly following a spill to keep a permanent stain from setting into your rug. For liquid spills, use a clean cloth and press firmly around the spill to absorb as much as possible. Do not rub! This can set the stain deeper into the rug, making it harder to remove and increasing the likelihood that it will re-appear. Clean spills immediately. Once a stain is set, it becomes much more difficult to clean. Our Rug & Fabric Stain Remover can help eliminate many stubborn stains. Never rub a spill, as this forces the spill deeper into the rug. Instead, blot the stain with a clean white cloth.

For wool rugs, use lukewarm water to remove any residual stain, as wool is more prone to bleeding and staining than synthetic fibers. Always use clean water to remove any residual cleaner, and dry towels to absorb any remaining moisture.

Stain Remover Kit:
For stains – make a solution of water, white vinegar and mild detergent. Mix and gently apply just the foam that rises to the top of the solution to the stained area. Finish using a clean cloth to absorb/remove any residue. For harder to remove stains, professional rug cleaning is recommended. Our Rug & Fabric Stain Remover can help remove stains from rugs or fabrics caused by everyday mishaps. NO BLEACH | NO SOLVENTS | ECO-SAFE.

Food & Beverage Stain Remover:
For use on: food, beverages, protein, chocolate, tea, wine, grass, mildew, coffee, milk make a solution of water, white vinegar and mild detergent in worse cases contact us immediately for further assistance.

Grease & Oil Stain Remover:
For use on grease, crayon, red drinks, cosmetics, iodine, blood, sun block, shoe polish, ink and more! we recommend professional Cleaning for Your Handmade Rug. Always use a professional area rug cleaning expert. Cleaning a handmade rug requires a process different than cleaning wall-to-wall carpet. Inspect the rug with a rug cleaning expert prior to cleaning.

A Special Note on Viscose Rugs:
Viscose is a one of the oldest man-made fibres, though it is not entirely “synthetic” since it is derived from cellulose. Often referred to as artificial silk, or art silk, viscose has the same soft, luxurious look and feel as silk, but at a much more affordable price. It is a popular choice formany area rug styles because it blends easily with other fibres and it takes well to dyes, especially in displaying and retaining vivid colours. For this reason, special attention is necessary in cleaning and maintaining a viscose rug, or any rug made with viscose highlights. Vacuuming – Regular cleaning using a carpet sweeper is recommended for 100 percent viscose rugs. High power vacuums can be too rough on viscose, but if you do use a vacuum, be sure to set it on a low power setting and disengage the beater bars or set them on a high level. Removing Stains – Viscose is extremely absorbent so for removing stains using only a clean, damp cloth and a mild cleanser when necessary. For especially tough stains make a solution of water, white vinegar and mild detergent. Mix and gently apply just the foam that rises to the top of the solution to the stained area. Finish using a clean damp cloth to remove any residue. A small amount of fabric softener sprayed onto to the stained area will help to preserve the softness of the viscose fibres.

A Special Note on Viscose Rugs:
For use on grease, crayon, red drinks, cosmetics, iodine, blood, sun block, shoe polish, ink and more! we recommend professional Cleaning for Your Handmade Rug. Always use a professional area rug cleaning expert. Cleaning a handmade rug requires a process different than cleaning wall-to-wall carpet. Inspect the rug with a rug cleaning expert prior to cleaning.

How to Clean Your Rug:

Wool Rugs
With a dry cotton towel or white paper towel, blot out stain as much as possible. Scrape off any food or debris with a dull instrument. Mix a very small amount of solution of water, white vinegar and mild detergent. With a clean sponge and soap mix (avoid using excessive water), gently remove remainder of the stain and then blot the area with a dry towel. Avoid excessive heat or agitation, as wool rugs are more prone to bleeding and staining than synthetic rugs. We recommend using a professional rug cleaner on an annual basis.

Synthetic Fiber Rugs (Olefin | Polypropylene | Nylon)
With a dry cotton towel or white paper towel, blot out stain as much as possible. Scrape off any food or debris with a dull instrument. Mix a very small amount of solution of water, white vinegar and mild detergent. With a clean sponge and soap mix, remove the remainder of stain and then blot the area with a dry towel.

Indoor/Outdoor Rugs
With a dry cotton towel or white paper towel, blot out stain as much as possible. Scrape off any food or debris with a dull instrument. Mix a very small amount of dish soap with a cup of cold water. With a clean sponge and soap mix, remove remainder of the stain. Allow the area to dry. For all-over cleaning, spray with a mixture of soap and water and rinse with a garden hose.

Natural Fiber Rugs (Jute | Hemp | Coir | Sisal)
Natural fibre rugs inherently have loose fibres and knots. Regularly vacuum rug on low power setting, making sure to vacuum from different angles. Loose threads on the face of the rug should be trimmed with household scissors. To avoid unraveling or damaging the rug, threads on the rug’s face should never be pulled. Spills should be gently blotted with a clean, undyed cloth to absorb as much of the spill as possible and prevent spreading. Work from the outer edges of the spill towards the centre. If applying cleaning solvents, test on a small area first. For stubborn stains, use a professional cleaning service that specialises in wool rugs. Do not dry clean, as strong cleaning chemicals may damage or fade the rug.

Shag/Shaggy Rugs
Spray extraction, along with use of a wool-approved product, can be used to clean shag rugs. Shedding is normal for wool products and decreases over time. Do not pull yarn out, as this may result in damage to the rug. Canister vacuums without a beater bar are most effective in cleaning shag rugs. Vacuums with beater bars and/or brushes, or those set too low, may abrade the face of the rug.

RUG PADS: (introducing shortly).
PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT AND YOURSELF: A rug pad provides a durable, long-lasting foundation that protects a rug for years to come.

The proper rug pad can:
Extend the life of the rug by reducing wear and tear and enhancing air circulation between the rug and floor. Help to prevent accidents by holding the rug in place, minimising movement and slippage. Add extra comfort underfoot by providing additional cushioning and support. Protect all floor types, including both hard surfaces and carpets. Use a high-quality rug pad under your carpet to reduce surface friction that can cause excessive shedding. Vacuum a new wool rug 1-2 times a week for the first few weeks using a low pressure vacuum cleaner without beater bars. Vacuum in the direction of the pile, not against it. Shedding is natural and to be expected of wool rugs, however excessive shedding in high-quality wool rugs will diminish within 4 – 6 months (or less). Do not pull loose ends; clip them with scissors to remove. Some wool rugs are made using a large loop weave and these loops can come undone. Do not pull “stray” loops, always cut them back with scissors. Flattening and Removing Creases: Packing and shipping of your rug may cause temporary creases or kinks in your new area rug or runner. These surface waves are not imperfections or damage and will gradually recede.

You can assist in the process of flattening and removing creases by:
Back-rolling or reverse rolling is the fastest and easiest way to remove creases in your area rug or hallway runner. These creases and waves will normally flatten-out on their own so in most cases you can simply allow ample time for your rug or runner to settle. Use rug protectors under the legs of heavy furniture to avoid flattening piles.

Avoid Direct Sunlight:
Direct sunlight will cause the colours in your area rug to fade over time. Place your area rug away from direct sunlight whenever possible. The centre of a room is a preferable location to reduce the risk of fading. Draw your curtains or lower blinds to shade your rug. Use protective window treatments or window coatings to block UV rays.