Most clients want to know how to properly care for the oriental rugs they buy from me. These rugs are so durable and well-made they don't need much attention however there are a few maintenance tips I can share for keeping your rugs looking great for many generations.*
First, let's start with the fact that an oriental, or handmade rug is meant to spend it’s life on the floor. It's simply not realistic to expect it will look new and pristine forever.
And who would want that anyway?
Antique rugs demand a high price and much of the reason is the aged look, called patina, that the rugs acquire after 100 years or more of use. A rug’s patina reflects its history, life, and the life of those it lived with.
And who would want that anyway?
Antique rugs demand a high price and much of the reason is the aged look, called patina, that the rugs acquire after 100 years or more of use. A rug’s patina reflects its history, life, and the life of those it lived with.
Can I use a regular vacuum to clean my handmade rug?
Rug Tip #1: To Vacuum or Not?
| This sounds like a no-brainer but you’d be surprised how often I get asked if it is okay to vacuum the rug. Yes, vacuum the rug just like you would carpet, and with the same equipment. A vacuum with a spinning beater bar is fine, in fact it’s one of the best things you can do to keep your rug looking fine and protected from stains. The vacuum's vibration helps break up the dirt and loosen it from the surface so it can be removed. Vacuuming also helps polish the wool -- giving it luster and sheen and natural stain resistance. |  |
One quality of a very good wool is a high lanolin content. As the beater bar of the vacuum spins, it brushes the wool fibers and helps spread the natural oils and bring them to the surface. You can see how the rug takes on a sheen afterward. A rug with no lanolin will not do this.
The wool's oils provide a natural protection which is why our handmade oriental rugs do not need stain resistant treatments... the natural oils are far better protection than any synthetic treatment.
The wool's oils provide a natural protection which is why our handmade oriental rugs do not need stain resistant treatments... the natural oils are far better protection than any synthetic treatment.
So vacuum your rug... forwards, backwards, upside down and side to side.
Just be careful not to eat off your fringe!
Just be careful not to eat off your fringe!
What should happen if something spills on the rug?
Rug Care Tip #2: Getting Spots Out
Well, let's start with embracing that spills are just part of life. Spills happen. The good news is there’s almost no stain a good rug cleaner can’t get out.
Wine is a perfect example. Rug cleaners have been getting wine stains out of rugs for as long as rugs and wine have existed in the world together, and that’s a long time. So don’t get too upset over spills. Keep some microfiber cloths handy, use all the water you like, blot, dab, soak up whatever spilled.
If you feel the need to use soap, best rule of thumb, if you can’t use it on yourself, don’t use it on the rug.
Hand soap and dish soap are very mild... a little bit on a sponge will probably be fine. Commercial carpet products are for exactly that, carpets, not a wool rug, so please resist the temptation.
To sum it up: use restraint, wipe up, use water, blot and dry in the sun and leave the tough stains for the professionals.
Under normal household use, a rug shouldn’t be getting cleaned more frequently than 5 year intervals. Doing so is over-cleaning and will strip too much oil from the wool. Good rugs can easily go several times that in between cleanings. If it doesn’t look dirty or smell, don’t clean it.
Get in touch if you need a recommendation for rug cleaner.
Wine is a perfect example. Rug cleaners have been getting wine stains out of rugs for as long as rugs and wine have existed in the world together, and that’s a long time. So don’t get too upset over spills. Keep some microfiber cloths handy, use all the water you like, blot, dab, soak up whatever spilled.
If you feel the need to use soap, best rule of thumb, if you can’t use it on yourself, don’t use it on the rug.
Hand soap and dish soap are very mild... a little bit on a sponge will probably be fine. Commercial carpet products are for exactly that, carpets, not a wool rug, so please resist the temptation.
To sum it up: use restraint, wipe up, use water, blot and dry in the sun and leave the tough stains for the professionals.
Under normal household use, a rug shouldn’t be getting cleaned more frequently than 5 year intervals. Doing so is over-cleaning and will strip too much oil from the wool. Good rugs can easily go several times that in between cleanings. If it doesn’t look dirty or smell, don’t clean it.
Get in touch if you need a recommendation for rug cleaner.
I can’t have a nice rug because I have a pet!
Rug Care Tip #3: Handling Pet Accidents
I have many potential customers who come to look for rugs bemoaning that they can't have a rug because of the pets they share their home with.
The good news is... this simply isn’t the case.
The good news is... this simply isn’t the case.
When it comes to bodily functions... those from pets are some of the easier problems to take care of. Much easier than soft drinks, nail polish, coffee and the other horrors we humans inflict on our rugs and carpets.
Sunlight breaks down pet urine. Most of the time a little soap and water and a day of sunbathing is all it takes to get Fido’s piddle out of the rug. I don’t recommend enzyme products as they can unset a previously well set dye.
The other stuff can be picked up with a paper towel, scooped up with a dustpan, or just vacuumed off if it’s been discovered after it’s dried. Use your microfiber cloth with water and a little mild soap, don’t scrub and grind it in. Whatever is left over will likely come out when the rug goes for a full fledged cleaning. Remember, that’s life.
Sunlight breaks down pet urine. Most of the time a little soap and water and a day of sunbathing is all it takes to get Fido’s piddle out of the rug. I don’t recommend enzyme products as they can unset a previously well set dye.
The other stuff can be picked up with a paper towel, scooped up with a dustpan, or just vacuumed off if it’s been discovered after it’s dried. Use your microfiber cloth with water and a little mild soap, don’t scrub and grind it in. Whatever is left over will likely come out when the rug goes for a full fledged cleaning. Remember, that’s life.
| Oriental rugs don’t usually need flea powder treatment. Another benefit of wool with a high lanolin content is that it tends to be flea and dust mite resistant. The bugs don’t like it. The oils coat their bodies and they suffocate. When it comes to chewing damage, I’ve had clients with dogs who’ve chewed holes in rugs more than once, and more than once we’ve had it re-woven and it’s totally unnoticeable. If the rug is handmade, it can be hand repaired! |  |
If you need a referral for repair or cleaning let me know -- I'm happy to help.
In closing, if the rug is very good quality, like the ones I offer at Halbert Rug Company, it will be amazingly durable and can last lifetimes.
 | I hope you'll take advantage of these simple tips for caring for your rug. Most importantly I hope you'll live well on your rugs and make them a backdrop for wonderful memories. I'm always available to help with questions or even emergencies. Most of my clients have my mobile number and it’s fine to call anytime. Otherwise send me an email or leave a voicemail on the shop phone and we’ll get your disaster sorted as quickly as possible! |
* Disclaimer: Please note that these tips refer to only to the rugs I am intimately familiar with--rugs from Halbert Rug Company. I can't speak for how well they work on rugs from other dealers. If that is your case, please be warned and use this information at your own risk.
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