Care Guide

The essentials, for every rug

Rug Pads

Importance and Selection

Rug pads play a crucial role in extending the life of your rugs. They provide a protective layer between your rug and the floor, reducing wear and tear caused by friction. This cushioning not only protects your rug but also adds a level of comfort underfoot. Our rug pads are suitable for all floor types, including hardwood and carpet, and are designed to prevent slipping and movement.

Maintenance and Safety

Regular maintenance of your rug pad is vital. Vacuum both the pad and the area underneath it to remove dust and debris. This not only keeps the pad clean but also ensures a healthy indoor environment. Replace your rug pads every few years or when they show signs of deterioration, such as crumbling or loss of grip. This will ensure ongoing protection for your rug and floor, as well as continued safety for your household, preventing slips and falls.

Vacuuming

Frequency and Technique

Vacuuming your rug regularly is essential to maintain its appearance and prolong its life. The frequency of vacuuming depends on the foot traffic and location of the rug. High-traffic areas may require vacuuming twice a week, while less frequented areas might need it only once weekly. When vacuuming, use a suction-only mode or a brushless setting to avoid damaging the rug fibers. For rugs with fringes, avoid vacuuming the fringes as they can easily get tangled in the vacuum and tear.

Rotation

Rotating your rugs is an essential practice for preserving their longevity and appearance. It's recommended to rotate rugs every three to six months in high-traffic areas and every six to twelve months in less frequented spaces. This practice ensures even wear and prevents localized fading, especially in areas exposed to direct sunlight. Additionally, rotating rugs in conjunction with regular cleaning helps maintain their overall quality and aesthetic appeal.

Sprouts

Rug sprouts are common, especially in natural fiber products. Loose fibers, or sprouts, can be removed using small scissors. Avoid pulling the sprouts, as this can damage the rug.

Professional Cleaning

Professional cleaning is a critical aspect of maintaining the health and beauty of your rugs. It's advisable to have rugs professionally cleaned every 12 to 18 months, especially for those in high-traffic areas or homes with pets and children. Professional cleaners use specialized techniques and solutions that deeply clean without damaging the rug fibers, effectively removing accumulated dirt, allergens, and stubborn stains. This deep cleaning not only revitalizes the rug's appearance but also extends its lifespan, ensuring your investment remains vibrant and functional for years to come. Remember, for delicate or antique rugs, always seek a cleaner experienced in handling such pieces to avoid potential damage.

Storage & Moving

If a rug must be stored or moved, roll it with the pile facing out and never fold it; folding sets creases that may not relax. Store it clean, dry, and off the floor. When rearranging a room, lift furniture rather than dragging it, and avoid pulling a rug while furniture is standing on it.

Pets & Accidents

Treat pet accidents like any spill, only faster: blot immediately with a clean, dry cloth, work from the outside in, and dry the spot completely. Natural fiber is the least forgiving here, so speed matters most on sisal, seagrass, and jute. For odors or anything that has soaked through, go straight to a professional cleaner.

By material

Care, fiber by fiber

Natural Fiber

Natural Fiber rugs are incredibly robust. The weakness of Natural Fiber rugs is that they are susceptible to staining.

Vacuuming

Different types of rugs require different vacuuming approaches. Our Natural Fiber rugs should be vacuumed with a low suction setting. Natural Fiber rugs can be delicate and a low suction setting can help prevent pulling fibers or damaging the weave. Do not use a beater bar, agitator, or rotating brush, as these can fray the fibers and cause unraveling. Vacuum in the direction of the rug's weave. This helps prevent fibers from getting snagged and helps remove all the dirt from the rug.

Cleaning Spills

Follow these steps to increase your chances of removing stains.

  1. Act Quickly: Blot the spill immediately with a clean, dry, absorbent cloth. Do not rub, as this can spread the stain and damage the fibers.
  2. Blotting Technique: Press firmly into the spill from the outside towards the center to prevent the stain from spreading.
  3. Mild Detergent Solution: If water alone doesn't remove the spill, use a mild detergent solution (mix a small amount of dish soap with water).
  4. Gentle Application: Apply the solution with a soft brush or cloth, gently working it into the spill.
  5. Rinse Thoroughly: After applying the solution, blot the area with a clean, damp cloth to remove any soap residue.
  6. Air Dry: Allow the rug to air dry completely. Avoid direct sunlight or heat sources, as this can cause shrinking or fading. For particularly wet stains, we recommend using the cold air setting on a hair dryer to quickly remove the moisture.
  7. Avoid Excess Moisture: Natural fibers are sensitive to water; excessive moisture can lead to mold or mildew.

Wool

Wool is naturally soil and stain resistant, and a new wool rug sheds. Both are the fiber doing its job: the shedding is short excess fiber working loose, and it tapers off within the first three to four months of regular vacuuming.

Vacuuming

Vacuum once or twice a week with suction only, in the direction of the pile. If your vacuum's brush cannot be switched off, raise the head to its highest setting so the bristles barely touch the face of the rug; a beater bar run low will fuzz and pill the wool. Give the highest-traffic areas the most passes, and skip silicone-based stain repellents, which speed up soiling rather than slowing it.

Cleaning Spills

  1. Act Quickly: Blot the spill at once with a clean, white, absorbent cloth. Never rub; rubbing pushes the spill deeper and can felt the pile.
  2. Blot Outside In: Press from the edges of the spill toward the center so it cannot spread.
  3. Mild Solution Only: If water alone is not enough, mix a drop of dish soap into two cups of cool water. Wool is a protein fiber; hot water, bleach, and harsh alkaline cleaners damage it permanently.
  4. Gentle Application: Dampen a clean cloth with the solution and blot it into the spill without soaking the rug.
  5. Rinse: Blot with a clean cloth dampened in plain cool water to lift any soap residue.
  6. Dry Completely: Press a dry towel over the spot to absorb what remains, then let it air dry fully, with a fan if you have one. A rug left damp invites mildew.
  7. Oily or Set Stains: Leave grease, ink, and anything that has dried to a professional cleaner experienced with wool.

Indoor/ Outdoor

Indoor/ Outdoor rugs are the easiest keepers in the line. The synthetic weave shrugs off moisture and sun, and most messes rinse away with water. What care they need is mostly about keeping grit from settling in.

Vacuuming

Vacuum your Indoor/ Outdoor rug at least once a week indoors, especially in high-traffic areas, to remove dust, dirt, and debris. Outdoors, rugs accumulate more, so vacuum every few days during seasons with high pollen counts or after windy days.

While Indoor/ Outdoor rugs are sturdy, excessive suction can still cause damage, so use a moderate setting. Work in straight, overlapping strokes to cover the whole rug, and for rugs living outside, vacuum both sides; outdoor exposure leaves dirt in more places than the face.

Cleaning Spills

  1. Prompt Response: Quickly address the spill to prevent staining.
  2. Water Rinse: Most indoor/outdoor rugs can be rinsed with water. If the spill is substantial, take the rug outdoors and hose it down.
  3. Mild Soap for Tough Stains: For tougher stains, use a mild soap or detergent mixed with water. Apply gently with a soft brush.
  4. Rinse Soap Out: Thoroughly rinse the rug with water to remove soap residue.
  5. Blot Dry: After rinsing, blot the rug with a dry towel to remove excess water.
  6. Air Dry Both Sides: Hang the rug or lay it flat to air dry completely. Ensure both sides are dry to prevent mold or mildew.
  7. Regular Vacuuming: After the rug is dry, vacuum it to restore the pile and remove any remaining dirt.