Care & Cleaning
We recognize the value and importance of area rugs and want to help you extend the life of yours. An area rug is a statement piece in any setting and requires proper maintenance to maximize its radiant and pristine appearance. These recommended tips can help solidify your investment so that you can enjoy your rug for many years to come.
Become familiar with your rug
Our rugs are handmade in specialty facilities that take great care in their production. All rugs are checked to ensure the highest quality and understanding each rug's unique characteristics can help you preserve that standard.
Abrash : Abrash is a term used to describe color variations found in select hand-knotted and oriental rugs. Although such inconsistencies may be perceived as 'flaws' in coloration, they are actually a much more intimate and complex characteristic. When different dyes are used, natural and variable change in color can occur over time.
Color : Dye lots are never an exact match, meaning two rugs from different dye lots, though similar, will never be the same.
Odors : Rugs can hold onto odors from dyes, yarns, or the shipping process. Odors should dissipate over time upon removal from its wrapping.
Sprouts : Sprouts, or loose fibers, can occur with new rugs. Use a small pair of scissors to cut the sprout at the same height as the pile. Do not pull the fiber out as it can cause damage.
Shedding : All wool rugs will shed, but it should subside over time depending on wear/traffic and the rug. Expect about 20-25 vacuums, at a minimum, to see a decrease in shedding.
Fading : Direct sunlight exposure will most likely cause a rug to fade, regardless of material, dye, or finishing treatment.
Creases : If your rug was rolled or folded for a period of time or during shipping, it may have wrinkles or creases. Creases should disappear after 1-2 weeks of lying flat. Reverse rolling may assist as well.
Normal Wear : We recommend rotation of your rugs every 3-6 months to help balance fading and even distribution of traffic.
Maintenance of your rug
Vacuuming : We recommend using your vacuum’s handheld attachment whenever possible. Most newer upright vacuums are powerful and can damage your rug. Powerful vacuums also cause sprouts. If you use an upright, turn off the beater bar and set its pile height to the highest setting before you place it on the rug. Canister vacuums without beater bars and brooms are also effective ways to gently clean your carpet.
Refrain from vacuuming the edges of your rug as it can loosen finishings. Also avoid vacuuming fringe with anything other than the handheld attachment to ensure fraying does not occur. Reversible rugs, like dhurries, should be vacuumed on both sides. This prevents grit and grime from getting within the weave and prematurely wearing out the rug.
Cleaning : Spills should be attended to immediately. A stain becomes much more difficult to clean once it sets in. Blot spills with an absorbent, clean white cloth. Avoid rubbing the cloth on the spill, as it can cause the stain to run deeper.
Wool :
- Using a dull instrument, scrape off any food or debris.
- Once stain is removed as much as possible using blotting, try mixing a small amount of dish soap and cold water to gently remove the remainder of the stain.
- The area should then be blotted dry with a clean towel.
- Wool rugs are more prone to bleeding and staining than synthetic rugs; avoid excessive heat or agitation.
Indoor/Outdoor :
- As with wool, blot out stain as much as possible.
- Using a dull instrument, scrape off any food or debris.
- Mix a small amount of dish soap and cold water to gently remove the remainder of the stain. Allow area to dry.
- For all-over cleaning, spray with a mixture of mild soap and water, and rinse with a garden hose.
Natural Fiber (Jute/Hemp/Sisal) :
- Water can be damaging to plant fiber rugs; leading to discoloration, mildew, or rot of the entire rug.
- Spot cleaning can be done with a small amount of dish soap and water, but try not to oversaturate the area and ensure it dries entirely.
- If natural fiber rugs get muddy, wait for the mud to dry and sweep off the dirt.
Shag/Flokati :
- Spray extraction machines can be used to spot clean shag rugs with a mild solution.
- Know the material of your rug. Indich Collection’s flokatis are made of polyester while others are made of natural materials. This could impact cleaning.
Professional Cleaning : To ensure the longest and best life for your rug, we recommend professional cleaning as needed. Indich Collection offers this service, as well as repairs and restorations, through a mainland-based rug cleaning expert. A hand-made rug requires a different process for overall cleaning than wall-to-wall carpeting.
