Regular Maintenance & Cleaning
Vacuum the face of your carpet once a week or as needed. A vacuum with a roller brush will do for most newer carpets.
Send your carpet for professional “plant-wash” deep cleaning as needed. Never clean an Oriental rug using “in-home” services. Depending on the traffic your carpet receives, and its location within your home, an Oriental rug benefits from professional wash every two to five years.
Preventative Maintenance
Vacuum the reverse side of your carpet once every six to eight months by repositioning it upside-down. Vacuum the back of the carpet. Then, clean the floor underneath. Flip the carpet back over, face up, and vacuum the face.
Vacuuming the back of your carpet is a preventative measure to keep dirt and abrasives from seating close to your carpet’s foundation.
Rotate your Oriental rug once a year or as needed.
Windows with UV protection help to offset effects of prolonged exposure to the sun’s harmful rays.
Handling
Handling an Oriental rug is easiest when it is either rolled and roped, or folded and rolled with ropes.
When an unrolled carpet is to be moved or handled, it should always be handled carefully, with adequate assistance. Large carpets measuring 8’ x 10’ and greater generally need two individuals to properly handle.
Each with well-spaced hands to distribute unnecessary tension during moving.
Carpets 12’ x 18’ or greater should always be handled by a team of three or more: one at each end, and one in the middle.
Pulling or tugging an Oriental rug should be avoided. An Oriental rug should never be pulled from, or around, the fringe or corners.
Storage
An Oriental rug should be carefully prepared for proper storing. This includes professional cleaning and secure wrapping. A carpet stored without proper care is more susceptible to problematic infestations such as moths or beetles. Never store your carpet in a moist or damp environment such as a basement, and never in an area of the home with strong potential for humid or very warm conditions such as the attic. A cleaned carpet, properly folded, should fit into a storage closet.
Depending on the climate and use, Oriental rugs in a seasonal home, may best be stored when not in use.
Common Questions
- Shedding:
- A new Oriental rug may release wool for one of many reasons. Often, excess wool shorn from the carpet post weaving may still be embedded in the existing fiber. This will release over time. Shedding is a natural process that usually ceases after several months of proper care and use.
- Folds:
- Storage or shipping may cause a carpet to have creases or “fold-marks”. Rest assured, through use and enjoyment of your rug, the natural wool fiber will gradually release such creases.
Vacuuming may assist in setting the pile.
- Wear & Tear:
- A well cared for Oriental rug can last many years without needing repairs or restoration. Have your carpet tended to on an as needed basis. Over time, any questions pertaining to the condition of your carpet should be directed to your local professional.
- Spot cleaning and spills:
- Stains, soiling spills should be left to a professional. In emergency situations, use these techniques:
- Before any attempt to clean, evaluate the stain:
- Clumpy soiling – remove excess material with a paper towel.
- Fluid spills – blot with a paper towel.
- Never scrub – BLOT.
- A blunt object (such as a spoon) applied with even pressure can squeeze excess fluids which may otherwise further stain your carpet.
Remember to work in one direction – with or diagonally with the pile direction, toward the center of the stain. This avoids spreads into unaffected areas. Blot up excess with a paper towel.
- Before using chemical cleaning agents, consult a professional. Improper ingredients may inhibit ability for future removal or may make stains color-fast.
- Before any attempt to clean, evaluate the stain: