Rug Care & Maintenance

Our rugs are crafted from sustainable materials and woven by hand. With proper care, they are designed to be lived with and enjoyed for many years. The guidelines below will help maintain the beauty, texture, and integrity of your rug over time.

Vacuuming

Improper vacuuming is one of the most common causes of damage to handwoven rugs. We recommend gentle, low-impact cleaning methods.

  • Use a handheld vacuum attachment or sweep gently with a broom
  • If using a vacuum, turn the beater bar off
  • If the beater bar cannot be disabled, use the highest clearance setting
  • Avoid excessive suction, which can pull fibers from the rug’s surface and cause fuzzing

Edges & Serging

The serged edges of a rug are especially delicate. Running a vacuum directly over the edges may cause fibers to loosen or fray.

  • Carefully place the vacuum near the edge
  • Do not roll the vacuum onto the rug edges

Fringes

Fringes on wool rugs are easily damaged by standard vacuums.

  • Clean fringes using a handheld attachment only
  • Never vacuum fringes directly with an upright vacuum

Helpful tip:
Natural-fiber brooms and sweepers are a gentle, effective option. Canister vacuums without beater bars are also well suited for handwoven rugs.

Spills & Spot Cleaning

Prompt attention is key when dealing with spills.

  • Blot spills immediately using a dry cotton cloth or white paper towel
  • Gently scrape away any solid debris with a dull utensil
  • Do not rub or oversaturate with water, as this can push stains deeper into the fibers

For older or more stubborn stains, we recommend professional cleaning by a specialist experienced with handwoven rugs.

Extending the Life of Your Rug

Using a rug pad is strongly recommended for all area rugs.

Rug pads:

  • Reduce friction between the rug and floor
  • Help absorb everyday wear and tear
  • Prevent slipping and tripping
  • Add comfort underfoot, especially on hard surfaces

Common Characteristics

Because our rugs are handmade from natural fibers, certain variations are inherent and part of their character. These are not considered defects.

Shedding

All wool rugs shed to some degree. Hand-knotted rugs typically shed less than tufted or woven rugs.

Sprouts

Occasional loose fibers may appear. Simply trim them carefully with scissors. Do not pull by hand.

Creases

Temporary creases may occur after shipping. Once unrolled, they typically relax within one to two weeks. Gentle reverse rolling can help speed this process.

Color Variation

Natural fibers absorb dyes differently, which may result in subtle color striation or slight variation from website imagery. This is a hallmark of artisanal production.

Fading

Rugs placed in direct sunlight may fade over time. We recommend rotating your rug every 3–6 months and avoiding prolonged exposure near windows.

Odor

A natural fiber scent may be present when a rug is first unpacked. This will dissipate naturally within a week.