How to Maintain and Clean Your Rug

Congratulations on your one of a kind rug! There are things you can do to help extend its life like any textile or piece of furniture. Read on to find answers to some of the most frequently asked rug care questions.

1) My rug sheds excessively. Is this usual?

• Freshly-made rugs: Wool rugs in general should shed for up to 6 months before gradually shedding less. Rugs with a higher pile will shed more.

• Vintage rugs: How long has it been shedding, and has it only shed in one spot? This could indicate overall rug degradation, which is a more specific issue. You should consult an oriental Rug specialist for this.

2) Is it okay if I vacuum my rug? What kind of vacuum should I get?

Of course! Simply vacuum on low with a non-rotary vacuum that does not have a beater bar. Vacuuming at least twice a month, but no more than once a week is recommended.

Why non-rotary? A rotary vacuum's beater bars (the rolling cylinder brush at the bottom) pry into the rug's wool by pulling on it, loosening dirt more efficiently. While this may appear to be a good thing, the end result is increased shedding, possible damage to the wool fibers, and a shorter rug lifespan. It's especially important to avoid vacuuming the fringes with a beater bar, as the bar will pull the fringes and cause unevenness in the weave over time.

Hot one! Vintage Moroccan wool rugs dislike being vacuumed (it can degrade their wool faster), so if this is the rug for you, consider placing it in a low-traffic area or a room where pets are not permitted.

3) What should I do if a thread in the field (middle) of my rug comes loose?

• No matter how badly you want to pull it, don't! It may cause damage to the overall structure.

• Tuck the yarn back into the binding gently. This is where the head of a sewing needle comes in handy.

4) My indoor rug appears more faded than when I first purchased it.

Rugs will fade if they are exposed to direct sunlight. We like the 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 careful where you place your rugs and rotate them once a month to avoid uneven fading.

5) How weatherproof are Moroccan rugs?

Not at all. Wool and other natural fiber rugs should be kept indoors.

6) My rug has a stain. What should I do?

Attend to it as soon as possible, and follow the instructions below based on the material of your rug:

Wool rugs:

• Fill a bowl halfway with clear, unscented dish soap like Woolite, and grab a toothbrush and a clean towel. Dip the toothbrush into cold water and begin gently scrubbing the affected area. Dip the towel in a small amount of dish soap and dab the stain away. To remove the stain, alternate between using a toothbrush and a towel. Do not rub; instead, dab gently. If the stain does not appear to be coming out, take your rug to a professional rug cleaner as soon as possible.

• What you're trying to do is get the stain out of the fiber, and the natural lanolin in wool will help.

• Do the above for dog urine and immediately take it to a professional cleaner. Puppy accidents are especially difficult on wool rugs, and different people have different solutions. Regardless, consult an expert, and keep this in mind as you shop if you have an accident-prone dog and want a wool rug.

Cotton carpets:

Fill a bowl halfway with clear, unscented dish soap or Woolite, and grab a toothbrush and a clean towel. Dip the toothbrush into cold water and begin gently scrubbing the affected area. Dip the towel in a small amount of dish soap and dab the stain away. To remove the stain, alternate between using a toothbrush and a towel. Do not rub; instead, dab gently. If the stain does not appear to be coming out, take your rug to a professional rug cleaner as soon as possible.

7) What does it mean if my rug's edges are wavy?

Because of their handmade nature, handwoven rugs occasionally have wavy edges. It's because of the tension from when it was on the loom. This extra personality is one of many beautiful, one-of-a-kind details that can only be obtained through handcrafting.