Rug Care Instructions
If you have already bought an oriental rug and you are on this page, then Congratulations! You have discerning taste when it comes to recognizing handcrafted artifacts. An Oriental rug is an investment, something that will become a family heirloom bringing you immense pleasure and joy. It does come with a responsibility of taking some measures, so that you can enjoy this artifact for many years to come. You can take some of the following steps to safeguard your investment. These instructions are applicable for all kinds of hand loomed and crafted wool/silk rugs.
1. Clean your Oriental rug Please
The build-up of dirt and particles dulls the rug as well as give nesting opportunities to moths and other nefarious insects. Our recommendation is to vacuum the rug weekly with a suction only device. Also very couple of months turn over the carpet and vacuum the backside. This has many advantages. Not only does it remove any remaining dirt or particles, it discourages nesting, and helps to lift the pile of the rug. If there is any furniture that rests on the rug, this should be lifted off so that the rug can be vacuumed underneath. Ideally, the rug would then be rotated to avoid wear and tear in specific areas. NO HANGING THE RUG AND BEATING WITH A STICK!
2. Placing furniture on top of the rug
As a general rule, avoid placing furniture on top of the rug, not only does it lead to wear and tear but also obscures the natural beauty of the rug. If it is unavoidable, there are two things you can do, first is to place some padding on the feet of the furniture resting on the carpet, The second thing is to rotate the carpet more often than you would normally do when there is no furniture resting on the carpet,
3. Curtains Please
The natural fibers (wool, silk, cotton) used in the making of these rugs are more prone to color fading when exposed to sunlight compared to other fibers. It is best to avoid placing the rug in direct sunlight as it not only fades the color quicker but the sunlight's Ultraviolet rays within sunlight will dry out the fibers making them brittle which will lead to unwanted wear and tear.
The ideal solution to this problem would be to place your Persian rug in a shaded area. If the rug must be kept somewhere that enjoys natural sunlight too, try to close curtains or blinds at times when the sun would fall on the rug or consider having the windows treated to eliminate UV rays.
4. Moisture and damage prevention
An oriental rug is susceptible to moisture build up from it's environment and spillages. It is always a good idea to place the rug in a well aired area. To minimize moisture buildup it is also recommended to properly air a rug once a year, or more frequently depending on a spillage, so that the rug does not absorbs a damp rug smell that eventually leads to mold and mildew and damage from a host of insects. To air your rug, hang it up outside on a dry, sunny day (preferably with a breeze). The air will help to dissipate moisture and remove any odors that might have built up in the rug.
5. Rotate rugs
Oriental rugs placed in high traffic areas will experience fading, wear and tear because of the environment it's placed in and foot traffic. It is recommended that in order to minimize this damage, the rug should be rotated once every quarter. If there is any furniture on top of the rug, this rotation will prevent the fibers from being damaged. If at all possible, the furniture on top of rugs should be moved In between rotations.
6. Oops!
Accidents do happen. Liquid spills will need to be dealt with immediately.
As a general rule do not vigorously scrub an oriental rug to remove a stain or spill, it runs the risk of making it worse by not only spreading the stain but also introducing unwanted discoloration in the scrubbed area, Any liquid spill should be soaked up as much as possible by using white paper towels (do not use paper towels with any coloring). Flush with clean water to dilute any staining. The rug should then be blotted again to remove as much moisture as possible and hung outside, weather permitting, in fresh air to expedite drying.
Urine should be treated with white vinegar and water as the components of urine can affect the composition of the dyes that are in the fibers.
That said, if the thought of caring for an expensive family heirloom concerns you, then it is always best to contact a specialist Oriental rug cleaner and repair expert and let them take care of the rug. This is a sensible and well-placed investment, especially for more valuable pieces.
7. Use a padding underlay
Oriental rugs, especially on wooden floors, can move when people walk over them. To prevent this, use a rug underlay which not only provides stability for a rug but also offers a protective layer between the rug and hard flooring. This layer will protect the underside fibers from wear and tear and improve air flow under the rug which will help to prevent issues arising from dampness. It will also protect your floor underneath from staining from spillages.
8. Beyond my paygrade - Get it professionally deep cleaned
Oriental rugs are works of art as well as pieces of furniture. As such, they need to be cared for and treated accordingly. As well as this, whilst there are plenty of preventative measures that can be taken to care for Oriental rugs, accidents also happen which oftentimes require a more professional level of intervention. As previously mentioned, if your Persian rug is of a high value or a family heirloom, it is worth having your rug collected by a trusted specialist who can undertake whatever repair, cleaning or renovation that is required so that you can enjoy your Persian rug for generations to come.
If your rug is made of silk, we would recommend that you do not try to clean it yourself. Always contact a professional silk rug cleaning or repair specialist