A handmade rug lasts for generations with five habits: vacuum it gently, turn it twice a year, blot spills right away, keep a pad under it and have it washed by hand every few years. Here is how, from the team that washes and repairs rugs at our Chicago and Evanston showrooms.
Vacuum gently, every week
- Suction only. Turn the beater bar (the spinning brush) off, or use the hose. A spinning brush pulls at the knots and frays the fringe.
- Go with the pile. Run your hand along the rug: the smooth direction is the way the pile lies. Vacuum that way.
- Leave the fringe alone. Fringe caught in a vacuum tears. Clean it with the hose on low, or shake it out.
- Do the back a few times a year. Grit sinks down to the foundation and wears the rug from the inside. Flip the rug and vacuum the back.
- Check under furniture. Moths lay eggs in wool that stays dark and undisturbed. Vacuum under sofas and beds, and look for bare patches or webbing. More in rug moth damage: signs, prevention and repair.
Turn it twice a year
Sun and foot traffic never fall evenly. Turn the rug end to end every six months so it wears and fades evenly. Keep a valuable rug out of strong direct sun, or close the blinds in the brightest hours.
Blot spills right away
- Blot with a clean white cloth. Do not rub: rubbing pushes the spill deeper and roughs up the pile.
- Dab on a little cool water and blot again, until the cloth comes up clean.
- Lift the edge, slide a towel under the damp spot and let it dry flat with air moving over it.
Skip carpet shampoo, oxygen cleaners and bleach: they can strip natural dyes and make colors run. On silk, blot only and call us. Pet urine needs more than a spot clean; see how to get pet urine out of a wool rug.
Keep a rug pad under it
A rug pad keeps the rug from sliding, keeps it flat and takes the rubbing between rug and floor, so the rug wears more slowly and the floor stays unmarked. We cut the patented Durahold Plus rug pad to the exact size of your rug for free and ship it free, or cut it for you in the store. See all rug pads, or read why you need a custom cut non-skid rug pad.
Have it washed by hand every 3 to 5 years
A home with pets or small children may need it every year or two. Hand-knotted and hand-woven rugs should be washed by hand. Steam cleaners and carpet machines leave soap and water in the foundation, and that is where dye runs, odors and rot start. Prices are in how much rug cleaning costs.
We wash rugs by hand from $2.50 per sq ft in Chicago and $3 in Evanston, where most rug cleaners charge $4 to $5. Bring your rug to either showroom, or book pickup and delivery in the Chicago area. See rug cleaning and repair, or chat with us with the size and a photo for a price.