August 07, 2023

Rug Care 101

Congratulations on your new rug! Like any textile, or piece of furniture, there are things you can do to help prolong its lifespan. Read below for answers to some of our most commonly asked rug care questions. 

1) My rug is shedding excessively. Is this normal?

• New rugs: Wool rugs should shed for up to 6 months and then gradually shed less. Higher pile rugs will shed more.

• Vintage rugs: How long has it been shedding, and has it been shedding in one specific area? This could signal overall degradation of the rug, which is a more specific issue. For this, you’ll want to consult an Oriental Rug Specialist.

2) Can I vacuum my rug? What type of vacuum should I use?

• Sure! Just be sure to vacuum on low with a non-rotary vacuum, ie, one that doesn’t have a beater bar. We recommend vacuuming at least twice a month, but no more than once a week.
• Why non-rotary? The beater bars in a rotary vacuum (that rolling cylinder brush at the bottom) pry into the carpet fibers by pulling on the rug, thereby loosening dirt more efficiently. While this may sound great, the result is actually increased shedding, possible damage to the wool fibers, and reduced rug lifespan. It’s especially important to avoid vacuuming the fringes using a vacuum with a beater bar, as the bar will pull the fringes and may cause unevenness in the weave overtime—it’s similar to what happens when a thread on your wool sweater gets caught on your nail!

• Hot tip! vintage Moroccan wool shag rugs don't love being vacuumed (it can degrade their wool more quickly), so if this is the rug for you, be thoughtful with its placement: maybe put it in a low traffic area, or a room that the dogs aren’t allowed in.
  

3) There’s a thread in the field (middle) of my rug coming loose—what do I do?

• Don’t pull it; this could harm the overall construction.
• If it’s a pile rug, trim the errant thread to the height of the pile. 
• If it's a flatweave, gently tuck yarn back into the weave. The head of a sewing needle is helpful for this.

4) There’s a thread on the binding (kilim edge) coming loose—what do I do?

• Don’t pull it; this could harm the overall construction.
• Gently tuck yarn back into the binding. The head of a sewing needle is helpful for this.

5) My indoor rug looks more faded than when I first got it. 

Rugs will fade if placed in direct sunlight. We like that lived-in look—it’s part of the aging process, and this patina reflects the patterns of your daily life, so it’s what makes your rug truly yours—but if you don’t, be mindful of where you place your rugs, and be sure to rotate them once a month to avoid uneven fading. 

6) My outdoor rug looks more faded than when I first got it. 

Gradual fading of outdoor rugs is to be expected, and part of the aging process. Be sure to rotate it once or twice a month, or more in summer, to avoid uneven fading.

7) How weather-resistant are outdoor rugs? 

Outdoor rugs are made with “performance fibers” which are engineered to withstand tougher weather with proper care, but not wholly foolproof, especially in cases of extreme weather.

• Polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, should be able to resist most outdoor weather. If it gets wet, be sure to let it dry in the sun.
• Polypropylene can withstand slightly harsher weather—within reason!

8) How weather-resistant are indoor rugs?

Not very. Rugs made of jute, wool, and other natural fibers should be kept indoors.

9) I got a stain on my rug. What do I do?

Attend to it quickly, and follow the below instructions based on your rug’s material:

Wool rugs:

• Squirt a small amount of clear unscented dish soap or Woolite in a bowl, and fetch a toothbrush and a clean towel. Dip the toothbrush into a small amount of cold water and start gently scrubbing the affected area. Dip the towel in a small amount of dish soap and dab the area to pull up the stain. Alternate between toothbrush and towel to lift the stain out. Do *not* rub, just gently dab. If the stain does not appear to come up, take your rug to a professional rug cleaner immediately.
• What you’re trying to do is pull the stain up out of the fiber, and wool’s natural lanolin will help with this.
• For dog urine: do the above and take it to a professional cleaner immediately. Puppy accidents are difficult on wool rugs in particular, and different people have different ideas about how to solve it. Regardless, consult an expert, and as you shop, bear this in mind if you have an accident-prone dog and want a wool rug.

Cotton rugs:

Squirt a small amount of clear unscented dish soap or Woolite in a bowl, and fetch a toothbrush and a clean towel. Dip the toothbrush into a small amount of cold water and start gently scrubbing the affected area. Dip the towel in a small amount of dish soap and dab the area to pull up the stain. Alternate between toothbrush and towel to lift the stain out. Do *not* rub, just gently dab. If the stain does not appear to come up, take your rug to a professional rug cleaner immediately.

Jute/aloe/sisal/coir/hemp rugs:

As soon as possible, dip a rag in club soda and dab the area. If stain persists, take your rug  to a professional rug cleaner immediately.

Polyester / Polypropylene / PET rugs:

Dip a rag in club soda and dab until stain comes up. The fiber should not be affected.

10) What does it mean if the edges of my rug are wavy?

Handwoven rugs occasionally have wavy edges due to their handmade nature. It has to do with the tension from when it was on the loom. We like this extra personality—one of the many beautiful, bespoke details that only come from handcrafting.

11) What’s the best-kept secret to a well-kept rug?

Two words: Rug. Pad. They help protect your rug from dirt and help protect you from slipping. They also make the rug cushier underfoot.