RUG CARE RECOMMENDATIONS
The following points are universally accepted as good rug care practice.
Please ensure that you also follow the care instructions that are included in the labelling on the back of your rug.
1. The most important recommendation is to vacuum your rug frequently and thoroughly. In some cases, particularly with very fine shaggy fibres, you may prefer to regularly shake your rug.
Most of the wear on carpeting is caused by dirt. Oily soils attract more oily soil and frequent vacuuming/shaking will reduce soil buildup and help extend the life of your rug.
2. Always attend to stains quickly. The majority of stains can usually be removed by one cleaning agent or another if they are cleaned in the early stages. The longer a stain is left to chemically react with the carpet, the harder it will be to remove it.
3. Never scrub or rub at spots. You risk possible fibre damage and also the possibility of forcing the stain further into the pile and backing cloth. Usually a blotting motion is preferred.
4. Always test rug before applying cleaning solutions. All rugs are different. Some fibres and backings can be sensitive to certain cleaner types and may react negatively and even cause permanent damage.
5. Never overuse detergents, shampoos and spotting solutions. These can result in residue being left in the carpet that even thorough vacuuming will not remove.
6. Never over wet carpet. Over wetting can cause brownout and/or rug shrinkage (the moisture can affect the backing and in the case of hand tufted rugs can damage the latex on the backing and cause staining and delaminating).
7. Refer to your rug cleaning professional when in doubt or you require a general all over cleaning.
8. Many rug manufacturers recommend lifting your rug periodically to let the under floor and the back of the rug breath. This is particularly important with hand tufted rugs which have the backing cloth and a layer of latex between that and the actual rug backing. By lifting the rug for several hours, you are minimalizing the chances of any atmospheric moisture gathering at the rug contact point and the possibility of any subsequent damage.
9. Rotate your rug periodically. This will help spread the wear load and also the affect of any inconsistent light or shading affects.
10. And finally, choose the right rug for the right room. For instance, if your rug is going into a busy traffic area, you have different needs than a rug which is going into a formal lounge area and has very little traffic. You need to consider both the fibre construction and the colour for the location and purpose it is being used for.
