KNOW YOUR RUG

Area rugs can be made from a variety of yarns or a blend of yarns and materials. Read the label on your rug and follow any special cleaning instructions and precautions provided by the manufacturer of your rug.

PROTECT FROM FURNITURE MARKS

Use rug protectors under the legs of heavy furniture to avoid flattening of your rug pile. Rotating your rug every few months will help relieve areas from excessive wear.

FLATTENING AND REMOVING CREASES

Packing and shipping may cause temporary creases in area rugs. To remove them back-roll/reverse roll your rug and allow time for the creases to relax.

AVOID DIRECT SUNLIGHT

Direct sunlight will cause the colors in your area rug to fade over time.

 

HUMIDITY

Long term exposure to humid weather can be harmful to area rugs. The cotton warp and weft foundation of an area rug can breakdown when exposed to excessive humidity. Avoid placing plants directly on top of area rugs and immediately blot dry any water spillage.

SHEDDING

Wool rugs, especially new wool rugs, may shed. To reduce excessive shedding, vacuum your rug 1-2 times per week in the direction of the pile. Shedding should diminish within several weeks. See the ‘Wool’ section of Specialty Care for more information.

VACUUMING

Routine vacuuming is the most important step in maintain- ing the life and beauty of your rug. It is recommended that you have area rugs professionally cleaned every 1-2 years to remove deep set dirt in high traffic areas. Otherwise, attentive vacuuming will significantly extend the life of area rugs.

  • Vacuum thoroughly at least once a week with a canister vacuum.
  • Do not engage beater bars.
  • Rugs placed in high traffic areas of the home, office or rugs exposed to household pets should be vacuumed more frequently.
  • Avoid vacuuming the fringes of your rug, especially those on hand-knotted rugs. Use a broom to clean fringes.

BRUSHING/SWEEPING

Brushing is the best way to remove stubborn pet hairs that the vacuum misses. For short pile area rugs, use a carpet brush or carpet sweeper. For longer pile a carpet rake works well. Sweeping works best for outdoor rugs. The sturdy pile of an indoor-outdoor rug doesn’t trap dirt as readily as other area rugs.

BEATING

For rugs that are relatively easy to handle, bring them outdoors and shake vigorously to remove excess debris. Hang over an outdoor railing and beat with the back of a broom or rug beater, varying in vigor based on the construction and condition of the rug.

ROTATE THE RUG

Area rugs placed in high traffic areas will wear faster than those in lesser tread-upon locations. Rotating a rug every few months will distribute any wear and fading evenly.

 

Act quickly following a spill to keep a permanent stain from setting into your rug.

LIQUID SPILLS

Use a clean cloth and press firmly to absorb as much liquid as possible. Do not rub! This can set the stain deeper into the rug, making it harder to remove and increasing the chances that the stain will re-appear.

STAINS

Make a solution of water, white vinegar and mild detergent. Apply the foam that rises to the top of the solution on the stained area with a clean cloth. Finish using a damp, clean cloth to absorb any residue.

  • For lighter stains or spills on synthetic yarns, sponge clean the area with cold water and mild detergent.
  • For harder to remove stains, professional rug cleaning is recommended.
  • For pet stains, make sure you have absorbed all remain- ing liquid with a dry paper towel.
  • Then, sprinkle baking soda over the affected area. After about five minutes, spray a solution mix on the affected area. Gently scrub and let sit. Vacuum up the remaining powder.
  • See this handy video for another suggested method to remove pet stains from carpets.

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