Rugs

Since a rug can be an expensive or long-term investment, you should choose a rug that can be maintained easily, so that its original beauty lasts for years of enjoyment. This is our guide to choosing low-maintenance carpets and keeping your area rug looking beautiful, new and clean for years after your original purchase.

Regular vacuuming is most important for rug maintenance. Area rugs receive a lot of abuse from everyday dust and dirt accumulation. Sand and dirt grind down the pile of rugs and abrade their foundations. It is best to remove this sand, dirt and grime before it makes its way into the base of the rug, where it will be more difficult to remove. Surface soiling is best lifted by slowly pushing the vacuum a few feet with the nap of the carpet and then slowly reversing direction. In higher traffic or particularly soiled areas of the rug this process may need repetition to be fully effective.

Using a good vacuum with strong airflow and adjustable rotating brushes will remove the greatest volume of particles from the rug. The vacuum should have a good filtration system that will prevent dust from recirculating into the air.

Cut Pile rugs are generally well constructed and durable. A vacuum with a rotating beater bar to agitate the area rug pile and strong suction to remove loose particles is well tolerated by these types of rugs. Without a beater bar, you may only remove surface dirt, but leave embedded soil that can damage rugs through abrasion.

Looped texture rugs should be vacuumed regularly with suction, but can avoid damage by steering clear of vacuums with beater bars.

How Often is 'Regular'?

High traffic areas of rugs should be vacuumed daily, or at least every other day. The entire rug should be vacuumed at least twice weekly.

Some Vacuuming tips:

• Keep the vacuum's brushes clean and replace them when they wear down.
• The beater bar should vibrate the rug, but not cause the vacuum's motor too slow. Raise the beater bar above the rug to just barely skim the fibers of the rug, otherwise pilling may occur.
• It is best to vacuum in the same direction as the pile.
• Be careful of fringes when vacuuming; don't let the vacuum pull them, lest they actually be ripped off over time.
• Make sure that the beater bar actually rotates when it is in contact with the rug; a worn belt in the vacuum may cause the bar to slow down and stop rotating. Belts should be inspected frequently to be certain they are working properly.
• Make sure that the vacuum bag isn't too full. When the bag is over half full the vacuum's efficiency is reduced.
• Always make sure that the vacuum's hoses and attachments are free of airflow obstructions.
• Vacuum across both directions of the traffic pattern to prevent matting.

Occasional Maintenance Practices

In addition to vacuuming there are a few other steps that should be considered to keep your rug looking it's best.

Every so often it is a good idea to flip your rug and pat it down to shake loose dirt particles that have worked their way into the carpet's loops. Sweeping or vacuuming the back of the rug once a year is the most effective way to dislodge worn in particles.

Airing your rug by taking it out of doors occasionally and laying it flat on the ground, especially on damp, foggy days, will help to keep dry burlap backing supple and flexible. Though the efficacy of this method is debated, some people even suggest placing rugs face down in fresh, powdery snow and then gently brushing it off. This technique is also intended to restore moisture to brittle rug backings.

Rotating the rug will prevent foot traffic from wearing the rug pile unevenly. The rug should be rotated once every six months if the carpet is in a high traffic room. In addition, heavy furniture like pianos and sofas should be moved occasionally, even if only slightly, to prevent excessive pile crushing. Floor protectors can be used under legs of tables, chairs and other furniture to help distribute weight. Spraying pile crushed by heavy furniture with a little bit of water and then brushing it with a soft brush can restore the pile's height.

It is preferable to keep your area rug safe from exposure to direct sunlight that could cause the colors to fade. Do not expose the rug to sunlight on a regular basis. Too much sunlight causes the colors to fade which in turn creates unevenness in the colors of the rug. Silk is especially vulnerable to sunlight. Using drapes or blinds to shade the rug during hours of direct daylight and occasionally rotating the rug will help to preserve a rug's color and keep it even.

Some Rug Maintenance Myths

Myth 1: You should shake or beat your rug to remove dirt.
Shaking or beating your rug is actually more destructive than beneficial. The shaking strains the rug's backing, and with an old rug this can be disastrous to the integrity of the rug foundation.

Myth 2: You should air your rug by hanging it outside.
Hanging a rug over a clothesline or hanging it on a wall can also cause stress to the rug's foundation and shape. It is best to keep the rug lying flat and simply turn it and rotate it occasionally, even when airing the rug outside.

Cleaning
Your rug can last a lifetime if cleaned properly. We suggest a professional cleaning every 1-3 years, depending on the traffic and location. We recommend professional carpet cleaners that use the hot water extraction method for most rugs. You should not dry clean your rugs, with the exception of silk rugs, and you should not use bleach. Always check to make sure that your rug cleaning service is familiar with your type of rug. Professionals should know the best way to clean your rug type, nevertheless here is some useful information that will allow you to select the correct method of cleaning for your area rug.

Cleaning Techniques

"Oxy" Cleaners- There are many oxygen cleaners on the market that are environmentally safe and work well for spot cleaning of various stains on synthetic fiber area rugs. Most of these cleaners are biodegradable and form oxygen, hydrogen peroxide and soda ash when mixed with water. Soda ash is sodium carbonate and has alkaline properties, so do not use this cleaning method on wool or silk and avoid prolonged skin contact. Carefully follow the usage and dilution guidelines for all oxygen cleaning products. Rinse the cleansed area well and be sure to test for colorfastness.

Dry Powders- We do not recommend using dry powders with plush or deep pile area rugs as the cleaning residue may be difficult to remove. For surface stains on low pile area rugs, use a dry powder to absorb dirt particles and then remove by vacuum. This is a relatively simple method that uses no water and is easy to perform without a professional. If the area rug is heavily soiled, we recommend a different procedure or using professional assistance.

Dry Foam and Absorbent Pads- Another method that uses little water is light detergent foam that is worked into the pile, then vacuum out once dry. Use care on looped area rugs that may not tolerate heavy beater bar use or other brushing.

Steam Cleaning- This method is most effective when performed by a professional, although many rug cleaning machines may be purchased or rented. The dangers of performing this method on your own are using too much detergent or water. Some cleaning agents available with rented units leave a heavier residue, so use care or the advice of a professional when choosing a product. Test the product on a small area to check for residue or a sticky feel. Do not use if a residue exists, or if in doubt about a product. Finally, do not use laundry detergents to clean your area rug to avoid possible optical brighteners.

Area Rug Stain Removal- Accidents happen! If an area rug becomes spotted or stained, work quickly. When possible, scoop up solids and blot liquids immediately after a spill occurs. Absorb as much liquid as possible with a white cloth or paper towel without scrubbing the area to prevent matting or fuzzing.

Methods of Cleaning for Various Area Rug Fibers

**The type of fiber in your area rug should be the primary consideration in selecting a cleaning method.

The majority of area rugs manufactured with synthetic fibers such as polypropylene, nylon and acrylic may be cleaned with most cleaning methods. We suggest that you follow the area rug manufacturer's recommendations when choosing a cleaning technique and follow the directions for dilution and application. Never use laundry detergent, automatic dishwasher detergent or any strong household cleaning products intended for use on woodwork, linoleum, laminate or tile.

Natural fibers- May require additional consideration before cleaning. Do not use oxygen cleaners on wool or silk.

Wool - Excessive agitation and heat should be avoided, but generally wool fibers may be cleaned with most cleaning methods. Wool should be cleaned with neutral detergents and dried quickly. Use special care around household cleaning products, as bleaches and other alkaline products such as bathroom cleaners easily damage wool.

Cotton/Rayon - Cotton and rayon are cellulose fibers and may be cleaned using all cleaning methods. To avoid shrinking and possible browning, avoid excessive drying and agitation. As with wool, take care with alkaline products.

Silk - Silk should be cleaned using a dry cleaning process. These fibers may be damaged by natural and synthetic acids (e.g. lemon juice), and sunlight. Consult a rug cleaning specialist for additional information about cleaning silk.

Sisal and Other Plant Fibers - Plant fibers such as sisal, jute, coconut (coir), ramie and hemp have characteristics similar to cotton. It is generally safe to clean these fibers with all cleaning methods. As with any fiber, dry the area rug as quickly as possible.

Stains, Spills and Emergency Spot Cleaning

Even with the best routine rug care and maintenance, accidents will happen. If you have small children, the spilling risk is at least tripled! Whether it is water, juice, coffee, wine, a pet accident or other spill, it is crucial to remove the mess right away. The longer you wait to clean after a spill, the smaller your chances are of being able to prevent permanent damage.

Always work from the outer edge of the spill towards the center so it does not spread. Use a spoon or spatula to scoop up large debris and remove excess liquid, but do not rub or scrub at the fibers -- this will cause the pile to mat and clump, and may thus increase the visibility of a potential stain.

Owners of even the most well-behaved cats and dogs will occasionally come across pet accidents. Often, the messes are not discovered until long after the accident occurred. In our Spot Removal Guide, we suggest several options for cleaning both new and old pet stains.

Spot Removal Guide:
Have you found a stain on your rug and want to know the best way to remove it? The first step is to remove excess spillage with a spoon or by blotting with a white cloth. Then find your spill type in our Spot Removal Guide to find helpful tips for removing the stain.

Caring for your Flokati Rug

General- We recommend combing your flokati rug with a wide-toothed plastic hairbrush or a simple wood or plastic garden rake to fluff it. A good shaking will also help to substantially fluff up your new rug.

Washing- Your flokati rug should be given a good shaking outdoors periodically to remove dust. Small rugs can be put in the washing machine on the gentle cycle in cold water with a mild detergent, like Woolite, and air dried out of direct sunlight to prevent distorting the color. Larger rugs, 30" x 54" and above, must be cleaned in a commercial washer (35 lbs). They can be found in many laundromats. Add mild detergent as the water is filling, then add flokati only after detergent is mixed well with the water. Lay flat to dry. If the rug looks disheveled, comb it. DO NOT: bleach, wash in hot water, place in dryer, or dry clean.

Vacuuming- Although vacuuming is NOT recommended, use the attachment suction hose if necessary. DO NOT: run the vacuum over rug with the rotating brush; the long hairs of the rug will get caught.

Storage- Use a moth repellent as flokati rugs are 100% wool.