There’s nothing like rolling out a new rug in your space. The right rug can make a great first impression, but to keep your rug looking its best, you've got to put in a little TLC.
A few tips and tricks for how to care for your handwoven rug...
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LET'S START WITH THE BASICS
- Vacuum your rug lightly, at least once a week. Different styles and piles will need different settings, but regular vacuuming can remove debris and help prevent shedding. For best results, use a low suction setting and ditch the beater brush.
- Always use a rug pad. If you’re wondering whether a rug pad is really necessary, the answer is yes. Rug pads help prevent everyday slipping and sliding, helping your rug lay smooth to avoid wrinkles or warping. If you’re looking for an eco-friendly option, our felt rug pads are a great choice.
- Steer clear of liquid detergents. Please. Our handwoven rugs are made with natural fibers that can be damaged by harsh chemicals and household cleaners. When in doubt, professional cleaning is always best.
- Avoid direct sunlight and moisture. Prolonged sun exposure or moisture can fade the colors and patterns of your favorite rug. Whether you’re placing a bathroom rug or a kitchen rug, be sure to think about how sunlight can change in your space throughout the day.
- Rotate your rug every 3-6 months. Keeping your rug in the same position often results in uneven wear, as foot traffic falls on the same areas every day. A quick rotation every few months can prevent this. There’s no need to rotate your rug pad, though.
IT'S ALL ABOUT LOCATION
One of the cardinal rules of rug care is choosing your space wisely. Some rugs thrive in high traffic spaces, while others prefer a quiet corner of your home. Need an easy rule of thumb? The higher the pile, the lower the traffic you want in a particular room. Luckily, we’ve done the work of laying out some common care tips and styles for spaces in your home.
HIGH-TRAFFIC AREAS
These are your living rooms, kitchens, hallways. Any area of the home that is used daily by almost every member of the family. All this foot traffic means your kitchen rugs or hallway runners need a little more attention than the rest. Vacuum these rugs as often as possible to reduce the amount of dirt and moisture in your home, rotating each rug every 3 months to prevent uneven wear. Natural jute rugs, fique rugs, or wool and cotton flat weave rugs with a low pile are a perfect fit for these spaces in your home.
MEDIUM-TRAFFIC AREAS
Think about your bedrooms, bathrooms, and dining rooms. These rooms are either used less frequently or by fewer people. Bathroom rugs, for example, see some action every day, but they don’t have to be as strong as kitchen rugs. We recommend vacuuming these rugs at least once per week and rotating them every 4-5 months to prevent uneven wear. Not too slow, but not too busy, a number of rug options will work in medium-traffic spaces, such as kilim rugs and more.
LOW-TRAFFIC AREAS
Guest bedrooms and home offices are perfect examples of low-traffic spaces. These are rooms that are not often used daily, but that doesn’t mean you should neglect the rugs inside. Vacuum at least once per week to reduce dust and debris build-up and rotate each rug every 6 months to prevent uneven wear. These spaces are perfect for soft, high-pile wool rugs that you’d want to lay around on.
CARE BY RUG MATERIAL
Cotton and Wool Rug Care:
Because cotton or wool rugs are handcrafted with only natural materials, it is normal to see loose fibers or shedding in the first six months.
Vacuum cotton or wool rugs lightly at least once a week using only low suction and no beater brush, as this may damage the rug. More frequent vacuuming will help prevent shedding - particularly for high-pile rugs.
Avoid placing rugs in prolonged direct sunlight as this can cause fading.
Rotate cotton or wool rugs every 3-6 months. This will help prevent excessive wear and fading in one area.
The use of a rug pad will keep your rug lying smooth and flat and will help prevent slippage.
Blot spills immediately with a clean cloth - act quickly to prevent drying. Avoid harsh chemicals and household cleaners as they may damage or fade the rug. When in doubt, professional cleaning is always best.
Fique and Jute Rug Care:
Because fique and jute rugs are handcrafted with only natural materials, it is normal to see loose fibers or shedding in the first six months.
Vacuum fique and jute rugs lightly at least once weekly using only low suction and no beater brush, as this may damage the rug. More frequent vacuuming will help prevent shedding.
Avoid placing your rug in prolonged direct sunlight as this can cause fading.
Rotate fique and jute rugs every 3-6 months. This will help prevent excessive wear and fading in one area.
The use of a rug pad will keep your rug lying smooth and flat and will help prevent slippage.
For jute rugs, do not use liquids for stain treatment – liquids will damage and discolor the natural fibers. Instead, use a dry rug shampoo or baking soda. Sprinkle the powder on the rug and allow it to sit for a couple of hours. Vacuum up the powder and flip the rug over to repeat on the other side. When in doubt, professional cleaning is always best.
OUR BEST-SELLING RUGS
(Lalita Wool Area Rug - From $1,095, Artha Wool Striped Area Rug - From $695, Urvi Braided Jute Rug - From $395)