Rug Care Guide

The Essentials

If you only remember five things, remember these. They match the care label attached to your rug.

When Your Rug Arrives

Rugs travel folded or tightly rolled, so the first few days are about letting the rug settle.

• Unpack it promptly. Do not leave the rug sealed in plastic, especially in a warm or humid space.
• Expect some creases. Fold lines often relax within a few days of lying flat. If a crease is stubborn, see Curling & Wrinkles below.
• A faint wool scent is uncommon but possible. A few rugs carry a light natural scent when first unpacked. It fades as the rug airs out in a well-ventilated room. A musty or sour smell that does not fade is different; please contact us.
• A few loose fibers are possible. Some surface fibers may come up in the first vacuuming sessions. Shedding that increases, leaves bare-looking areas, or comes with broken fibers is not expected; please contact us with photos.
• Check the rug against the listing. If anything looks damaged or different from the product page, email us within 48 hours of delivery with your order number, photos, and a short video, and keep the packaging until we reply. See our Return Policy for details.

Everyday Care

Vacuuming

• Use suction only, or the gentlest setting your vacuum has. A spinning brush pulls at the pile and the weave over time.
• On pile rugs, vacuum in the direction of the pile. Run your hand along the rug: the smooth direction is the way the pile lies.
• Keep the vacuum off the fringe; it can catch and tear.
• Vacuum the back of the rug now and then, and the floor underneath it. Grit collects there, and undisturbed areas are where moths like to settle.
• How often depends on use. A busy entryway or living room may need a gentle pass every week; a guest bedroom far less.

Shaking out

Small, lightweight rugs in sound condition can be taken outside and shaken gently to release dust. Hold the rug by its body, not by the fringe, and do not snap, whip, or beat it. Do not shake large, heavy, antique, or fragile rugs; the strain falls on the ends and the fringe.

Rotating

Rotate the rug 180 degrees every few months, or more often in a room with strong light or a clear walking path, so wear and light exposure are spread more evenly.

Rug pads

A rug pad is optional for most handmade rugs. Some owners choose a pad for extra grip on smooth floors or a softer feel underfoot. If you use one, pick a pad that suits your floor and is slightly smaller than the rug.

A thread or tuft sticking out

Do not pull it and do not cut it. What looks like a loose tuft can be part of the rug's structure. Send us a photo and we will tell you whether it can be trimmed or needs a rug repair specialist.

Spills & Stains

Most spills can be handled well if you act quickly and gently. The goal is to lift the spill out of the rug, not to wash the rug where it lies.

Common spills and what to do

For every spill below, start with the first-response steps above.

Products to keep away from your rug

• Bleach and bleach-based products
• Steam cleaners, hot-water extraction, and rental carpet machines
• Carpet shampoos and strong stain removers
• Home mixtures such as vinegar, baking soda, or club soda, even when widely recommended online
• Perfumed deodorizing sprays and powders, which mask odor without removing its cause

A product labeled "wool safe" is not automatically safe for every handmade rug. Older dyes and earlier repairs can react differently.

For more on wool pile rugs, see our guide on how to clean and care for a hand-knotted wool rug.

Sun & Fading

Light gradually changes the dyes in any rug. The effect builds up over time and cannot be reversed, and it is usually uneven: the part of the rug nearest a window changes first, while the area under a sofa keeps its original color.

Reducing light exposure

• Use curtains, blinds, or sheer panels during the brightest hours of the day.
• UV-filtering window film can help in rooms with strong, direct sun. It reduces some of the effect but does not stop it completely.
• If you can, avoid placing a rug where it sits in direct sun for hours every day.
• Rotating the rug spreads future light exposure more evenly.

If your rug has already faded

• Fading is a permanent change in the dye. It cannot be washed out, and rotating the rug will not bring the color back.
• From now on, the priority is to reduce further light exposure using the steps above.
• For a noticeable patch, a rug restoration specialist can advise whether color retouching is suitable. Results depend on the rug.
• Do not try markers, fabric paint, or home dyes. They rarely match, can bleed later, and are very difficult to remove.

Dry, brittle fibers

Long exposure to strong sun, or a spot next to a radiator or heating vent, can leave fibers dry and brittle. This is damage to the fiber itself, and cleaning does not reverse it. Move the rug away from the heat or light source, and if the fibers feel brittle, ask a specialist to assess the rug's condition before it is cleaned.

Water & Moisture

Few things damage a handmade rug as much as moisture that stays in it. Trapped water can lead to mildew, odor, and dye bleeding, and over time can weaken the foundation.

Everyday moisture risks

• Plant pots and vases. Never place them directly on a rug. Water that collects underneath can damage the foundation unnoticed.
• Damp floors. Make sure a freshly mopped floor is completely dry before laying the rug back down.
• Basements and humid rooms. Check the back of rugs in damp spaces regularly for musty smells or spotting.
• Entryways. Wet shoes and umbrellas bring water in daily; let a runner by the door dry fully.

If your rug gets soaked

This could be from a leak, a flood, a burst pipe, or a large spill. Act fast and contact a professional rug cleaner the same day.

1. A wet rug is much heavier than a dry one. Get help to move it, and support its full weight from underneath. Never lift or drag it by the fringe or the edges.
2. Move it off the wet floor onto a dry, clean surface as soon as possible.
3. Blot or press out as much water as you can with dry towels. Do not wring or twist the rug.
4. Keep it flat, with air moving around it. Fans and good ventilation help.
5. Do not use direct heat, a hair dryer, or strong sun to dry it.

A soaked rug often needs full professional cleaning and controlled drying, especially if the water was dirty or colors have started to run. If the water came from a flood or sewage, do not dry and reuse the rug without professional cleaning.

Curling, Wrinkles & Shape Problems

A handmade rug can react to shipping, humidity, and furniture. Many minor shape issues settle with time. The home steps below are for rugs in sound condition only; if your rug is fragile, stiff, or antique, or has a loose or damaged repair, and you are unsure, contact us or a rug specialist first.

Curling corners and edges

• Give the rug time to settle flat.
• For a rug in sound condition, you can place something heavy and flat, such as a stack of books on a protective cloth, on the corner for a day or two.
• Gently rolling a flexible corner in the opposite direction for a short time can also help. Stop if the rug feels stiff or resists.
• If an edge keeps curling, the side binding may be tight or worn. A rug repair specialist can assess it.

Creases from shipping or folding

• Lay the rug flat in its place and let it settle for a few days.
• For a flexible rug with a stubborn crease, rolling it gently in the opposite direction of the fold for a few hours can help.
• Do not iron or steam the crease.

Ripples, waves, and bumps

• If you use a rug pad, check that it is flat and the right size; a bunched pad is a common cause.
• Changes in humidity can make a rug relax or tighten. Ripples caused by this may settle as conditions stabilize.
• Lift heavy furniture rather than dragging it across the rug.
• Ripples that do not settle should be assessed by a rug specialist.

Furniture dents

• Move the furniture and give the pile time to recover.
• Gently lift the flattened pile with your fingertips.
• Use furniture cups or coasters under heavy legs to spread the weight, and shift furniture slightly from time to time.

Rugs that are not perfectly square

Small irregularities in shape are common in handmade rugs and are usually visible in the product photos. If you notice a change in shape after the rug has been in use, such as a newly wavy side, contact us and we can advise.

Washing Your Rug

Handmade rugs do need cleaning from time to time, but not the way wall-to-wall carpet is cleaned. Vacuuming removes surface dust; professional cleaning removes the fine grit and soil that settle deep in the rug and slowly wear the fibers.

Why we do not recommend washing at home

• A wet rug is extremely heavy, and water held in the foundation is hard to dry fully at home.
• Uneven drying can cause mildew, odor, shrinking, or distortion.
• Some dyes, especially in older rugs, can bleed when wet.
• Soap and shampoo left in the fibers attract dirt faster afterward.

What a rug specialist does

A specialist in handmade rugs first examines the rug's materials, dyes, backing, earlier repairs, and condition, then chooses a suitable cleaning method and drying process for that particular rug. This is very different from steam cleaning or a general carpet service.

How often?

It depends on how the rug is used. A rug in a busy living room with pets or children needs cleaning more often than one in a quiet bedroom. A rug is usually due when it looks dull, feels gritty, has an odor, or has had a spill that home care could not fully remove.

Questions to ask a rug cleaner

• Do you specialize in handmade, vintage, and antique rugs?
• Do you test dyes for colorfastness before cleaning?
• How will you decide on the cleaning method for my rug?
• How do you dry the rug, and how long does it take?
• Do you also offer repairs, such as fringe and edge work?

Care by Rug Type

The basics above apply to every rug. These notes cover what is different for each type. Your rug's construction and materials are listed on its product page.

Pests, Pets & Heavy Wear

Moths and carpet beetles

Moth and carpet beetle larvae feed on wool and other animal fibers, especially in dark, undisturbed places: under sofas and beds, along walls, and in storage.

• Vacuum under furniture and the back of the rug regularly. Regular disturbance discourages moths.
• Look for signs such as small bare patches, loose tufts, fine webbing, or tiny cocoons.
• If you find activity, vacuum the area, keep the rug away from other textiles, and contact a professional. Treatment and cleaning are needed to stop the damage from spreading.

Pets

• Blot accidents immediately and have any spot that urine reached professionally cleaned, even if it looks dry.
• Keep pet nails trimmed; claws can pull threads, especially in kilims and flatweaves.
• Vacuum more often to remove hair and dander.

High-traffic areas and furniture

• Rotate rugs in hallways, entryways, and dining rooms more often.
• Use chair glides or protective pads under dining chair legs.
• Place a doormat outside entrances so less grit reaches the rug.

Storing Your Rug

1. Have it cleaned first. Soil and food residue left in a stored rug attract moths.
2. Make sure it is completely dry.
3. Roll it, do not fold it. Folds create creases that can strain the foundation over time.
4. Wrap it in breathable fabric such as cotton sheeting. Avoid sealing it in plastic, which traps moisture.
5. Store it off the floor, in a dry, cool, well-ventilated space away from direct sun. Avoid damp basements and hot attics.
6. Check it every few months for moisture and moth activity.

Fringe, Edges & Repairs

In many handmade rugs, the fringe is the end of the warp threads that run through the whole rug, so it is part of the structure rather than decoration. Small problems are much easier to fix early. Contact a rug repair specialist if you see:

• fringe that is thinning, knotted, or breaking,
• side edges where the binding is loose or unraveling,
• a small hole, a worn spot showing the foundation, or moth damage,
• a new tear or an opening that is growing,
• a seam coming apart on a patchwork rug.

Do not cut away fringe or loose threads yourself. If you are not sure whether something needs attention, send us a photo and we will help.

Frequently Asked Questions