Rugs Care & Maintenance
Taking good care of your heirloom/handmade carpets is the best way to ensure they last for generations. Regular maintenance can keep them looking great and holding their shape for years to come.
Regular Cleaning
- Vacuuming: For regular maintenance, vacuum your rug at least once a week to remove dust and loose dirt.
- Air it Out: To keep your carpet fresh, air it out every three months at a minimum. This helps to eliminate trapped odors and dust.
Deep Cleaning
To remove embedded dirt and loose yarn, you can gently beat the rug. Lay it upside down and lightly beat the back of it. Make sure to do this outdoors or in a large, open space to avoid creating a mess inside.
Keep in mind that light-colored rugs will likely need to be cleaned more often than darker ones to maintain their appearance.
How to Clean Up Spills on Carpet
Spills happen, but quick action can save your carpet. Here are some immediate cleaning tips for different types of spills.
Water Spills
For water, use paper towels to blot the area until it’s completely dry. You may need to repeat this process multiple times to absorb all the moisture.
Powder Spills
For powders like flour or makeup, a vacuum cleaner is your best tool. Vacuum the area thoroughly to remove all the powder.
Food Spills
To clean up food spills, mix 1/4 teaspoon of a mild liquid detergent with a cup of lukewarm water. Apply the mixture to the spill to soften it, then use a rounded spoon to gently lift the food off the carpet. Finish by blotting the area dry.
Juice and Other Colored Liquid Spills
For colored liquids like juice or wine, immediately pour salt over the spot. The salt will act like a sponge and absorb the liquid. Use a rounded spoon to remove the salt, then clean the area with a little cold water and blot it dry.
Paint, Oil, and Grease Spills
You can use nail polish remover to treat these tough stains. Gently dab the stain with the remover, then clean the area with cold water and blot it dry.
Peroxide, Bleach, and Other Chemical Spills
For chemical spills, use cold water to clean the affected area and immediately contact a professional rug cleaner for specialized help.
Handling Dried Spills
If a liquid spill has dried, use a soft brush to break up any crusted material. Once loosened, vacuum the area thoroughly to remove all particles.
Final Step
After any cleaning is completed, make sure the carpet is fully dry before walking on it.
New Carpet Issues: What to Expect
It’s normal to encounter a few minor issues with a new carpet, but these are not defects and won’t affect its quality or longevity.
Shedding
Some shedding is natural for a new cut pile carpet, as loose fibers are always present. This is a very small amount compared to the total fiber content and is nothing to worry about. Regular vacuuming will remove these loose fibers without harming the carpet.
Shading
This is a natural phenomenon where a carpet’s appearance seems to change permanently, usually within 2 to 6 weeks after installation. Also known as pooling or watermarking, shading is caused by light reflecting differently off the fibers. It’s not a manufacturing defect and doesn’t affect the carpet’s durability. The same area may look light from one direction and dark from another.
Loose Threads
Occasionally, a loose thread may appear from the carpet pile. This is not a defect. Simply use a pair of scissors to carefully cut the thread away.
New Carpet Issues: What to Expect
It’s normal to encounter a few minor issues with a new carpet, but these are not defects and won’t affect its quality or longevity.
Shedding
Some shedding is natural for a new cut pile carpet, as loose fibers are always present. This is a very small amount compared to the total fiber content and is nothing to worry about. Regular vacuuming will remove these loose fibers without harming the carpet.
Shading
This is a natural phenomenon where a carpet’s appearance seems to change permanently, usually within 2 to 6 weeks after installation. Also known as pooling or watermarking, shading is caused by light reflecting differently off the fibers. It’s not a manufacturing defect and doesn’t affect the carpet’s durability. The same area may look light from one direction and dark from another.
Loose Threads
Occasionally, a loose thread may appear from the carpet pile. This is not a defect. Simply use a pair of scissors to carefully cut the thread away.