Rug Care and Cleaning

GENERAL CARE

Your rug is a work of art and deserves the same care and attention you would devote to a fine piece of furniture. However, the hand-knotted rug is constructed in such a manner that with surprisingly little care, it should maintain its beauty and utility for generations.

Vacuum regularly, at least once a week for high-traffic rugs. Regular vacuuming will help remove destructive grit that is tracked on the surface and sifts through the wool fibers to the foundation of the rug. Occasionally, you should vacuum the back of the rug to draw out the very short, light-absorbing bits of yarn that can otherwise dull the luster of the carpet. A good rule-of-thumb is to use low power for low pile and high power for high pile; however, it’s wise to avoid the highest setting. Also, never vacuum a rug’s fringe.

Rotate your rug frequently to allow for equal wear and exposure to sunlight. In high-traffic areas, we recommend doing this once a year.

Wet clean as required, generally not more than once every two to five years, and preferably by a professional carpet cleaner. This will remove the grit and dirt that becomes deeply embedded as well as the surface soiling that dulls the appearance of the carpet. Cleaning should be done only by a professional cleaning service that specializes in hand-woven rugs, and not by a broadloom cleaner unfamiliar with this product.

Deal with stains immediately. Whenever possible, clean a spill before it has a chance to set. First, scrape up any solid dirt or blot up excess liquid with a paper or cloth towel. Depending on the type of spill, a simple variety of household solutions may be used. Scroll to the bottom of this page to find specific stain treatments, as supplied by The Wool Bureau.

About wool shedding:

The wool used in our Stickley Designer Rugs comes from Tibetan (or Himalayan) Highland Sheep; the elevation and harsh climate of the Himalayas results in the longest stapled wool in the world, five to eight inches! Unlike cheaper, less durable wools, a characteristic of this exceptional wool is a prolonged period of shedding, which will stop after in time depending on the wear and use of the rug. Frequent vacuuming is the best way to keep shedding under control until it stops. While inconvenient, shedding is in fact a sure sign of the quality and longevity of your wool rug.



How to remove the rug label:

If you wish to remove the rug’s label, apply lighter fluid to a clean white cloth and wipe back and forth in the direction of the fringes or ends of the rug. Never wipe in a circular motion. The lighter fluid is a safe solvent that will remove the adhesive residue. Fabric cleaner and fast-drying lacquer thinner are also good, safe solvents. You will find some loose wool fibers rubbing off with the cleaning motion, but this is the result of rubbing or wiping, not a reaction to the solvent. The odor of the solvent will dissipate quickly, and there is no need to clean the area a second time with soap and water.

Note: When using solvents, never smoke or light matches while applying the cleaner. These are safe products to use but highly flammable while applying.

 

Stain-Removal Treatment Options

Solutions:

Detergent Solution One teaspoon clear dish washing soap in one-cup warm water.
Ammonia Solution One tablespoon clear ammonia in 1/2 cup water.
Vinegar Solution 1/3 cup white vinegar in 2/3 cup water.
Solvent A dry-cleaning solvent (available at hardware and grocery stores).

Alcoholic Beverages                   Detergent Solution / Vinegar Solution / Solvent
Blood                                          Detergent Solution / Vinegar Solution / Starch Paste 
Chewing Gum                             Freeze with Ice / Scrape / Solvent
Chocolate                                   Detergent Solution / Vinegar Solution / Solvent
Coffee                                         Cold Water / Detergent Solution / Solvent 
Cola / Soft Drink                         Warm Water / Detergent Solution
Fruit Juices                                 Cold Water / Detergent Solution
Furniture Polish                          Cleaning Solvent / Detergent Solution / Ammonia Solution
Gravy / Sauces                           Warm Water / Detergent Solution
Mildew                                        Call a reputable cleaner
Mud                                            Detergent Solution
Rust                                            Solvent / Detergent Solution / Rust Remover
Salad Dressing                           Detergent Solution / Cleaning Solvent
Tea                                              Cold Water / Detergent Solution / Solvent
Urine                                           Detergent Solution / Vinegar Solution
Vomit                                          Detergent Solution / Vinegar Solution / Solvent
Wine                                           Absorbent Powder / Cold Water / Detergent Solution

Techniques for cleaning stains:

  1. Work quickly.
  2. Blot up excess spills with paper towels. DO NOT RUB.
  3. Apply solution from the list above with a clean, dry cloth, working from edges to center. DO NOT SOAK.
  4. Blot excess solution with paper towels. Dry with fan or hair dryer.
  5. Restore direction of pile with clothes brush.