Rug Essentials - Caring

Quality handmade carpets are beautiful and durable than any other kind there are in the market today. What does, however, ensure long life and make it a valuable family heirloom is following these simple care instructions diligently:

ONE | Ensuring the carpet is not exposed to extended durations of sunlight. Handmade textiles do not require constant exposure to the sun as this can lead to colour fastness wherein the colours of the rug fade faster than usual. One must take note, as a rug ages with time, its colours tend to gradually fade giving it the antique appearance of a collectible.

TWO | Wear and tear is a commonly occurring phenomenon with hand woven carpets especially if they are placed under a coffee table, sofa, armchair etc. We advise shifting the furniture every now and then as it allows the pile to stand up straight maintaining its original form thereby keeping the rug intact for longer.

Fringes

For those of you who are new to this, fringes are extensions of the warp that are carefully tied into a knot to prevent displacement of the yarn. We recommend proceeding with caution when dealing with the fringes of a carpet as once unravelled, they permanently hamper the rug unless attended to in a timely fashion. Do not use any form of residential or industrial adhesive since it’s a frivolous attempt to make any sort of amends and can cause permanent loss of value. If the carpet has indeed incurred damage, it’ll immediately require restoration work which is best left to our skilled professionals.

Spills

A liquid spill like water, coffee, wine, milk, ink, blood etc. demands immediate attention. Your first response should be to gently apply an absorbent paper towel and gradually increase pressure. Once complete, you may use dry paper towels to squeeze out the liquid. Spirits and other beverages containing sugar need additional treatment in the form of a damp sponge that has been dipped into a warm detergent solution. Beginning from the surface of the pile, work your way inwards around the edge of the spill. Always remember, the sponge should be damp and not drenched in the solution as it’ll wet the carpet excessively. After applying this sponge, do not engage in any kind of rubbing of the surface or attempting to scrub out any remnants of the spill.

Insects

Although, the yarn we use for our carpets undergoes an intense moth proofing treatment, there are still insects which may eat through the yarn despite these strong measures. Rugs that are in regular use do not usually encounter these issues, however, if you have carpets lying around in spare rooms or areas that are not utilised all that often then you may need to have them rolled and stored properly. We suggest conducting a moth-proofing treatment of this area prior to storing the rugs in it. The wool eating carpet beetle is uncommon in cool regions, but if found, please seek professional assistance without any delay.

Cleaning and Repairs

Cleaning a carpet can become an unforeseeable headache if one does not conduct this activity appropriately. Before you use any kind of vacuuming device onto your rug, it is recommended that you put the carpet out in the sun for a while. You’ll need to see to it that the rug does not receive direct sunlight for more than a couple of hours. Post giving it its overdue time in the sun, begin vacuuming the carpet in the direction it has been woven. Now, we understand a lot of our customers may not know what this means. There is no need to worry, all you have to do is run your hand against the surface of the rug and as you see the pile brush up against your hand you’ll notice a visible difference while running your hand in both directions. To confirm how the carpet has been woven, it will be the direction in which there is minimal disruption of the design. Alternatively, you can turn the rug upside down, walk on it for a few weeks and vacuum underneath regularly. Vacuuming a rug is more important than washing, as the dirt at the base of the knots causes damage to the surface of the pile.

Its definitely possible to keep your rug looking as beautiful as it did coming out of its packaging, but its going to require a little care, cleaning and maintenance.

Complete and proper cleaning is contextual and dependant on the type of fibre used in the rug. A breakdown of proper cleaning on synthetic and natural fibres is mentioned in the next few pages.

Synthetic Fibres

Acrylic

Use a common cleaning detergent or create one with a teaspoon of natural detergent and a teaspoon of pure white vinegar combined with a quart of warm water. Absorb as much of the liquid before applying the cleaning solution.

Polypropylene

Fortunately, polypropylene is inherently stain-resistant and features very low moisture absorption. For best results follow wool cleaning instruction.

Viscose

Avoid placing a viscose rug in a high movement and moisture area. Whisk up any spills or stains by blotting with a dry cloth. We recommend scraping solids with a dull knife or nail file. If in doubt, opt for professional cleaning services.

Polyester

Like polypropylene, polyester features very low moisture absorption. For best results follow wool cleaning instruction.

Natural Fibres

COTTON

If stated only on care instruction tags on the rug, small sized rugs can be machine washed in warm water with a mild detergent. Larger rugs should be treated with a dry cleaning powder to prevent damage.

Jute

Jute is not water-resistant, so do not place it in an area with high moisture levels. Blot the stains with a dry cloth immediately and if necessary, opt for professional cleaning services.

Sisal

Immediately remove any spills and stains by blotting with a dry cloth or scrape off the solids with a dull knife. If necessary, opt for professional cleaning services.

Wool

Use a common wool cleaning detergent or create one with a teaspoon of natural detergent and a teaspoon of pure white vinegar combined with a quart of warm water. Absorb as much of the liquid before applying the cleaning solution.

How to Vacuum Rugs

Regular vacuuming is essential for removing deeply embedded dirt and prolonging the life of your rug. Before you vacuum, make sure you considers the rug’s construction. This practice is necessary to allow the vacuum to penetrate the bottom of the pile pulling out dust particles that have settled there over time.

01. Regular Pile

Vacuum regulary. We recommend you to do it once a week, especially in the first month of your purchase.

02. Shag

For these rugs, its simple and quick. Just shake them outside to loosen the dirt
and other particles.

03. Loop / Br

Set the vacuum on the highest setting and clean the rug.

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