Rug Care

  • Every 3-6 months, rotate your rug to avoid uneven wear and fading.
  • Vacuum as needed, avoid heavy suction and bristles. Be careful not to linger along the edges or fringe.
  • To lengthen the life of your rug, we recommend that every rug has a pad.

SHEDDING

Shedding is a natural characteristic of all synthetic and wool rugs and in no way shortens their life.  Shedding is not considered a defect in a rug.  The amount of fiber a rug sheds will vary based on the material, the quality and density of the fiber, the pile height, and age of the rug.  Rugs shed more when new, and the shedding lessens with time.  Eventually shedding will cease or, at least, become very minimal.

To reduce shedding, your new area rug should be vacuumed daily for the first two weeks in your home.  Avoid high suction vacuum cleaners. Make certain that you set the beater bar lever at the highest setting (or off).  The heavy impact of the rotating beater brush can damage fibers and actually cause the rug to shed more.  Vacuum slowly to allow the suction to pull out the loose fibers that result from the shearing process during manufacturing.  Always vacuum in the direction of the rug’s pile. (By running your hand across the rug, it feels smooth in one direction & rough in the other.  Vacuum your rug in the smooth direction.)  After the initial two weeks, vacuum your rug at least twice a week.

Be careful not to run the vacuum over the edges or ends of the rug. The serging on the edges is delicate and vacuuming may cause fibers in the serging to come loose.  Rotating brushes can quickly damage fringe as well, so running the vacuum over the ends should be avoided. Instead, use a handheld attachment for bare floors to clean.

SPROUTING

Often, in the manufacturing of rugs, fibers are “twisted” in order to give a rug an "antiqued" texture.  Occasionally, some of the individual tufts of fiber will rise above the surface of the rug.  This is called “sprouting” and it is one of the easiest issues to remedy.  The individual tufts should simply be cut with a pair of scissors so that it is flush with the rest of the rug surface. Please do not pull the fiber.

SHAG RUGS

Shag rugs are constructed of thick, plush yarns for a luxurious feel.  Most shag rugs can be carefully vacuumed with suction only, no brushes.  Longer shags should not be vacuumed at all, but rather lifted and shaken to remove loose particles.

CLEANING

Synthetic area rugs are already treated for stain resistance and do not require any protective coating. Additionally, the lanolin found in wool rugs naturally repels stains. To extend the life of your rug, regular vacuuming is recommended to remove dirt and dust and prevent it from penetrating deeper into the pile. For stain treatment, mix a cup of warm water with a teaspoon of translucent dish soap. Always use a white cloth (to avoid color transfer),  and blot. Never rub! For all-over cleaning on an as-needed basis, consult a professional rug cleaning company that specializes in area rugs.