RUG CARE
Rugs are an investment piece of every home; therefore, it is essential to take care of them to ensure their longevity.
How do I vacuum my rug?
The vacuum’s height should be set to 'high' so that the rotating brush does not create excessive agitation on the rug. Too much agitation will damage the wool fibres which could lead to pilling. For the greatest suction, the vacuum bag or canister should be kept less than half full. The vacuum should be moved in a ‘V’ path instead of back and forth in straight lines. Alternating the direction of the vacuum’s path prevents the fibres from being crushed. Wool rugs can be turned upside down and the underside can be vacuumed as well. The more regularly you vacuum your wool rug, the quicker the shedding of loose fibres will subside.
How often should I vacuum my rug?
Dirt, dust, and other debris can rub against the fibres of a wool rug and damage them. It is very important to use a quality vacuum to remove this debris on a regular basis, at least once or twice a week. In the first few years of a rug’s life it will shed the excess wool fibres left over from the weaving process and are easily removed by vacuuming a few times each week.
When should I 'professionally clean' my rug?
To brighten and extend the life of your rug you should aim to have it professionally cleaned about once a year. This is due to wool rugs needing a thorough cleaning to remove general grime that a vacuum cannot touch. Wool fibres can be tricky to clean and work with, which is why professional cleaning is usually the best option. Wool absorbs much more water than synthetic fibres do, which makes them hard to dry, and (for area rugs) heavy and difficult to manoeuvre.
Additionally, many available carpet cleaners these days are simply too alkaline for wool fibres. Please also keep in mind that while carpet manufacturers generally recommend professional cleaning of wool carpets every 12 to 18 months, there are several circumstances that may warrant more frequent cleanings. This includes if you have indoor pets, have young children with a tendency to spill sticky substances on the carpet, or tend to see oily dirt tracked into the home.
How do I treat spills and stains on my rug?
Spills and stains should be cleaned up immediately to prevent them setting in permanently. A clean white towel should be used to absorb as much of the spill as possible. Coloured towels can transfer their dyes to the wool rug and should never be used when cleaning a spill. Due to potential damage or shrinkage of fibres, stains should not be scrubbed – only blotted and pressed. If a large amount of a more solid matter has been dropped onto the rug, a spoon can be used to gently scoop the matter up.
Dry foam cleaning products make an efficient and safe way to clean up stains on wool area rugs. These products don’t use much water, which means the rug will dry quickly without the risk of developing mildew. The label directions should be followed carefully and usually include working the foam into the rug fibres, allowing it to dry, and then vacuuming up the remaining residue. Water and vinegar can also be used to dab on stains as a natural cleaner.
What cleaning products should I avoid?
Some cleaners can severely damage a wool rug and should be avoided. Including Dry Powder cleaners, oxygen-based “oxy” cleaners, hydrogen peroxide, alkaline cleaners and bleach.
Protect
Protect the beauty, colour and texture of your wool rug. Micro-seal offers fibre protector treatments against stains, UV damage, bacteria and ex tends the yarn’s lifetime. For more information, please contact Luumo Design
In a nutshell
Do not pull loose threads or pop ups as we sometimes call them, please tuck them back under. You may reinforce them with a small amount of fabric glue to avoid it reoccurring. These are not classified as a fault in the rug. Alternatively you can trim them with scissors to the original pile height.
Remove spills immediately. If liquid is spilt blot with a clean white cloth by pressing around the spill.
Light vacuum using a high brush setting regularly, one or twice a week. Don’t allow dust and dirt to settle into the fibres.
Exposure to direct sunlight may result in colour fading. Rugs placed in direct sunlight areas should be rotated often.
Pile shedding is a normal characteristic of a textured rug and should settle after 6-12 months. The more you vacuum your rug to remove loose fibres, the quicker the shedding will subside.
Do not dry clean a wool rug.
Use a rug underlay to maintain the life of your rug and avoid slippage.