Care & Maintenance

First, you must install proper padding. Proper padding is no more than one-half inch thick and slightly smaller than the rug itself. 

Padding muffles the sound of footsteps, prevents the rug from sliding on smooth flooring, and adds cushioning underfoot. Padding helps extend the life of your area rug by protecting it from endless crushing. It also makes vacuuming easier.

Wool fibers tend to keep everyday dirt particles toward the surface. As you walk on the rug, these dirt particles are forced down into the nap of the wool and begin to cut into the individual wool strands. To combat this, regular weekly vacuuming, in the direction of the rug’s pile, is recommended to help remove surface dirt. 

(Run your hand across the rug: it will feel smooth in one direction and coarse in the other. Vacuum in the smooth direction) 

If your rug is new, you can expect some shedding at first. This is natural, please do not be alarmed. Shedding will subside after a few months of regular use and care.

The qualities of the wool will help protect the rug from common spills. It is imperative, that you remove spills as quickly as possible. Scoop or scrape off solid stains with a dull instrument. Blot up excess liquid with paper towels. Dried stains, such as mud and blood, can often be easily brushed away.

If applied immediately, club soda is very effective on most stains. The bubbles in it dilute and lift the stain. Lightly dampen a white cloth with club soda and gently messaging the stained area. Clean any stain from the outer edges inward to avoid spreading the stain. Then blot up any remaining excess liquid and elevate the dampened spot to allow air circulation. Finally, brush the pile with a soft brush to give the fibers a lift.

If the urine stain is fresh, cover the damp area with a layer of baking soda. Place a clean cloth over the baking soda, and apply pressure to allow the baking soda to absorb the urine. Use a spatula or spoon to scoop off the dampened baking soda, and repeat until the baking soda no longer becomes damp. Then place a clean cloth underneath the affected area, and blot the stain with club soda as directed above. Be sure to blot the stained area with a towel each time. Afterwards, brush the pile with a soft brush and air–dry thoroughly with cool air. 

For urine that has dried or for large areas needing cleaning, professional services are recommended. We do not recommend using spot removers, spot cleaners or any chemicals as they may damage the integrity of the rug.

Before storing your rug, be sure to thoroughly vacuum it. While some hand-knotted rugs can be stored folded, it is recommended that both hand-knotted and hand-tufted rugs be rolled in a tight cylinder shape for storage. This prevents the foundation from breaking, as well as the backing from wrinkling in the case of hand-tufted rugs. Never place heavy objects on top of a rolled rug, as it will create creases in the rug and can even break the backing of a tufted rug.

Once rolled, wrap the rug in sturdy, water-resistant paper. Use paper that will also resist tearing and/or puncturing. Avoid using plastic. Store the rug in a cool, dry, well–ventilated area. It is also recommended to open your rug once a year to inspect and vacuum it.