Maintenance

Caring for Fine Rugs
Overall, hand-knotted rugs are the most durable rugs available. But, it is important to recognize that within hand-knotted carpets, quality varies from very high to very low, not only in knot count, but also when describing the wool or other materials used in the weaving of the rug.  A properly selected carpet (i.e. one that suits the décor, but also the traffic and use of a space) is easy to care for.  Most of our rugs can be vacuumed on a regular basis with a beater bar attachment.  However, make sure you never vacuum the fringes with the beater bar as this can damage them.   

In order to evenly distribute the traffic on your rug (and thus the wear), it is best to rotate it annually.  You should also attend to spills and accidents as quickly as possible to minimize any damage.  We have several tips on how to clean your rug here.

Although good rugs are fairly care-free and kid and pet-friendly, you want to be mindful of a few potential sources of harm to your rug.  If you have house plants beware that continuous dampness resulting from over-watering or spilling can lead to mildew rot, which can be very costly to repair.  If possible, don’t place planters on your rug.  At the very least, always place your planters on a tray to catch any excess water.  

Insects such as carpet beetles and moths present another threat to good wool rugs.  The best way to protect yourself is to vacuum your rug regularly and inspect any areas hidden under furniture (such as the sofa or bed). Natural insect deterrents such as cedar, eucalyptus or tobacco leaves are a good idea if you are storing your rug for a long period of time.