Your new rug is one of the easiest ways to freshen the look, colour and style of your home. To make it last it must be properly taken care of. The following tips and information will help prolong the life of your rug.
Odours
Odours are caused by dyes, latex and shipping for long distances in a sealed bag. These odours will dissipate within a few days once the rug is removed from its wrapping.
Shedding
All wool rugs will shed fibre. This will subside over time depending on traffic, wear and maintenance. We would expect the shedding to be minimised after 20-25 vacuums.
Sprouting
Loose fibres or sprouts are a normal part of the wearing in process with any hand-made rug. These rising fibres should be snipped off with a small pair of scissors. Do not pull these yarns as this can cause a deterioration of the backing.
Fading and Wear
If exposed to direct sunlight there is a good chance that your rug will fade over time. To even out the effects of the sun and to balance wear we recommend that your rug is turned every couple of months.
Maintenance
Vacuuming
Your rug will last longer and look better if it is vacuumed regularly. This will help prevent dirt on the surface of the rug filtering down into the pile where it can accumulate and cause increased wear. For routine cleaning we recommend the use of a suction only type vacuum cleaner. Do not use a rotating brush cleaner as this can damage the rug pile surface. If the rug has overlocked edges refrain from running the cleaner over the edge as this will loosen fibres and cause them to unravel.
Spills
For spills the basic rule is to aim to remove as much moisture as you can as quickly as possible. Blot excess spills with a clean white cloth or paper towel, working from the outer edge in. Never rub a spill as this can spread the stain and damage the pile. Should stains prove stubborn and difficult to remove we recommend the use of a professional cleaning company, such as Servicemaster who have national offices across the UK. To avoid the possibility of colour transfer between the rug and the floor surface beneath we strongly advise the use of rug underlay. This will have the added benefit of reducing the potential for trip hazards by minimising slippage. Viscose, jute and sisal fibres are particularly susceptible to staining. Extra care should be taken to avoid spillages on rugs containing these elements. Polypropylene pile rugs are hard wearing and have excellent stain resistant properties.
Latex allergy
Please note that most rugs contain natural latex in their construction.
