The Ultimate Rug Care Guide
It's no doubt that rugs add an unparalleled comfort and softness to your space. They help you add personality and style to a space. They add layers to your space and can add colour, texture and style without too much clutter.
In this article we share our top tips for maintaining and cleaning your rugs to ensure that they are well looked after and last for a long time to come. It's important to know this information prior to buying your rug so that your rug choice is something that not only suits your space aesthetically but also suits your lifestyle and family.
Rug Care Guide
Appearance
Rugs may appear slightly different in colour or texture to the image seen online. Fibres may have flattened in transit from the factory to your home. Please allow a few days for the fibres to adjust and return to the desired appearance. A light vacuum with a non-rotating head will also assist with bringing the rug back to life.
Rugs can also appear different in colour depending on the angle they’re viewed from. This is due to the direction the fibres fall and can be more pronounced on rugs made from polyester or viscose.
Rugs can also appear different in colour depending on the angle they’re viewed from. This is due to the direction the fibres fall and can be more pronounced on rugs made from polyester or viscose.
Shedding
Shedding is very common with all rugs and to be expected - even more so for rugs made from natural fibres such as wool and viscose.
Natural rugs are hand woven and as the rug is used, small pieces can break off and gather together. Shedding can last for up to 9 months but will get less with use and time over those few months.
Natural rugs are hand woven and as the rug is used, small pieces can break off and gather together. Shedding can last for up to 9 months but will get less with use and time over those few months.
Regular vacuuming with a non-rotating head vacuum cleaner on a low suction setting will help to reduce the amount of time it sheds as well as the amount of shedding.
Vacuuming
Regular vacuuming is recommended to ensure the longevity of your rug. To get the best results follow the below:
- Vacuum your rug at least once a week
- Remove all furniture and obstacles from the rug
- Vacuum the rug with a normal vacuum head on a low setting. If a beater bar or rotating head is used while vacuuming this will ruin the rug and cause excess shedding as well as pilling that is irreparable. Please note this applies to wool and viscose rugs only.
Furniture placement
A rug, no matter the material or construction, will fade if exposed to sunlight for prolonged periods of time. In Australia, sunlight is very harsh, even in winter and can have a bleaching effect on rugs. Position your new rug in an area away from direct sunlight and rotate the rug regularly, especially if sunlight hits only one area of the room.
If furniture is to be placed on your new rug, ensure felt discs are applied to furniture legs. Crush marks can occur on some rugs more than others, so using furniture discs can minimise any crushing of the pile. Vacuuming can also help bring the yarn back to a better state.
Warranty
We offer a manufacturing warranty of 6 months. Wear and tear including shedding, pilling, discoloration and stains due to liquid or solid spills are not considered manufacturing faults and will not be covered.
Cleaning and treatment of spills
In the event that an accidental spill has happened or food has been dropped on your new rug, time is extremely important. There are some simple steps you can follow to avoid your rug being damaged further.
Liquid Spills
Immediately and carefully blot any spills with a clean cloth or paper towel. The cloth or towel(s) should be replaced regularly so that it absorbs as much liquid from the rug as possible. Do not rub the spill as this will spread it and cause further staining and damage to your rug. Pet soiling can damage the rug permanently. Please exercise extra caution and care when cleaning these.
Immediately and carefully blot any spills with a clean cloth or paper towel. The cloth or towel(s) should be replaced regularly so that it absorbs as much liquid from the rug as possible. Do not rub the spill as this will spread it and cause further staining and damage to your rug. Pet soiling can damage the rug permanently. Please exercise extra caution and care when cleaning these.
Food spills
Immediately remove solid spills carefully. Blot any remaining evidence of the food spill making sure you get rid of all solids before cleaning up the rest of the spill.
Immediately remove solid spills carefully. Blot any remaining evidence of the food spill making sure you get rid of all solids before cleaning up the rest of the spill.
Wool or wool blend rugs
Spot clean as needed using a damp (not wet) cloth with plain water. Don’t use soap or cleaning products (unless specified and tested), as it could cause discolouration.
Spot clean as needed using a damp (not wet) cloth with plain water. Don’t use soap or cleaning products (unless specified and tested), as it could cause discolouration.
Viscose rugs
Never use liquid on viscose rugs as they are highly absorbent and any liquids left even for a short time, may cause irreparable damage or discolouration. Spot clean immediately with a dry white paper towel.
Avoid liquid cleaning products where possible. If required, in a spray bottle add one equal part water and one part vinegar and very lightly mist over the affected area. Blot with a dry white paper towel, while paying attention to the pile direction. How you let the rug dry is often how it stays, so ensure that it’s not flat or lopsided. Fabric softener can be sprayed on the area to help prevent fibres from hardening. Use a hairdryer on a cool setting to dry.
Never use liquid on viscose rugs as they are highly absorbent and any liquids left even for a short time, may cause irreparable damage or discolouration. Spot clean immediately with a dry white paper towel.
Avoid liquid cleaning products where possible. If required, in a spray bottle add one equal part water and one part vinegar and very lightly mist over the affected area. Blot with a dry white paper towel, while paying attention to the pile direction. How you let the rug dry is often how it stays, so ensure that it’s not flat or lopsided. Fabric softener can be sprayed on the area to help prevent fibres from hardening. Use a hairdryer on a cool setting to dry.
If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, please contact a professional cleaner.