Care Guide
Care Guide
Now that you have chosen your perfect rug, we want you to enjoy it worry free for many years to come!
Here are some useful, everyday tips for caring for your rug.
Placement
Where you place your rug will have a material effect on the longevity and look of your rug over time. You can avoid some common problems encountered with rugs by following the suggestions below:
- Uneven fading – Exposure to direct sunlight over long periods can cause the colours of all or part of a rug to fade. To avoid this, it is best to change the orientation of your rugs so no part of the rug is subject to prolonged periods of exposure to direct sunlight, and if possible move your rug to other locations.
Fading is a natural process with age and all rugs will fade over time, however fading is not all bad, and can even be desirable because as the rug ages the colours can melt into beautiful, softer tones.
- Uneven wear – When placing a rug in a high traffic area such as corridors or in front of doorways, it is possible for portions of a rug to wear down faster than other areas. Where possible, always choose higher quality rugs for high traffic areas, as they maintain their integrity over time better (see Quality Guide for more information).
It is still advisable to inspect your rug throughout its life and where constant traffic is starting to cause uneven wear on one portion of the rug, turn the rug around or if possible move it to another location. This will ensure a more even wear on all sides of your rug.
- Mould – Do not keep your rugs in damp or wet areas as mould will appear on your rug.
General Cleaning
When caring for your rug, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. RugSpot recommends using professional carpet cleaners wherever possible. However, for general everyday maintenance, you can preserve your rug by doing the following:
- Vacuuming – It is advisable to clean your rugs regularly. You can use most vacuum cleaners or hand brooms to keep your rugs clean.
If your vacuum has a power-head, we recommend you remove it as regular vacuuming with a power-head vacuum attachment may damage the rug pile.
- Spot cleaning – Unfortunately life’s little messes sometimes spill onto our floors and rugs in the home. If this has happened to you, don’t panic!
Use a clean, damp cloth to remove the spillage by dabbing the surface quickly (do not rub up and down), and use mild wool detergent with cold water where necessary.
Do not soak or submerge your rug in water or use hot water or heavy cleaning chemicals. If stains persist, call a professional.
- Washing – Always use a professional cleaning company who specialises in rugs, or alternatively, sponge-wash using a mild wool detergent.
Storage
When storing your rugs away for long periods of time, ensure that your rug is clean, rolled evenly, and placed in a dry, sheltered place. Wool rugs will need to be stored with moth repellent. Leaving machine-made or tufted rugs folded for a long period of time may damage the shape of the rug.
We also recommend wrapping your rug up in a plastic cover to avoid moths and mildew attacking your rug.