Rug Care Guide

GETTING YOUR RUG TO LAY FLAT

Our rugs are stored rolled up in their plastic wrapping to ensure they stay in brand new condition.  Because when they are stored, they are stacked on top of each other they can sometimes get a bit flattened when they are rolled up.  This means that they will not lay completely flat in the first few weeks of unrolling them.  This is similar for example to when you buy a new shirt or even a pair of curtains which will be creased when you first take it out of the wrapping but whereas these items can be ironed flat very quickly rugs take a little longer.  Larger sized rugs are usually more affected than smaller sizes as they weigh more when they are stacked on top of each other.  This is not a fault with the rug; it is only temporary until the rug takes to its new shape after being rolled out.  Some rugs have a stiff backing which needs time to soften in a warm environment and take to its new shape after being rolled out.  You can speed this process up by rolling up the rug in the opposite direction to the way it was rolled in its packaging (pile outwards).  Roll it as tight as you can and leave it somewhere warm (such as near a radiator) for a couple of days.  You should find that the rug will gradually flatten until it does lay flat.  This can take a few days to a few weeks depending on the type of rug you have purchased.

GENERAL CARE

For routine cleaning, we would recommend the use of a suction type vacuum cleaner; the use of a rotating brush cleaner can damage the pile surface.

If you have purchased a shaggy rug, we would recommend that you shake the rug or vacuum it using a nozzle attachment due to the longer pile of these rugs.  Most light dirty marks can be cleaned with a damp cloth.  Do not machine wash or dry clean your rug (unless the label on the back of the rug instructs that you can do so).

STAINS

You should clean spills immediately.  NEVER rub a spill.  Blot liquids with a dry absorbent cloth or white paper towel.  Some stains may be cleaned with a very mild detergent and lukewarm water or a good carpet shampoo.  Avoid excessive moisture or wetting when cleaning the stain.  Dry the rug on a flat surface.  If a stain cannot be removed, you should seek specialist cleaning advice.  Avoid harsh chemicals as they may damage the rug.  Do not machine wash or dry clean your rug (unless the label on the back of the rug instructs that you can do so).

PILE SHEDDING (FLUFF)

It is completely normal for all wool rugs to shed some fibres; this is a natural characteristic of wool as a material.  Pile shedding is also normal in some of our man-made fibre rugs (acrylic, viscose, and polyester).  Pile shredding is usually most noticeable is the first several months of use and does generally lessen over time but will not stop completely.  Pile shredding does not affect the life of the rug.  We recommend regular vacuuming to remove any excess fluff/fibres.

SPROUTING (Long Threads)

Some rugs are also prone to what is known in the rug industry as sprouting or pilling.  This is where some strands/threads of the pile will appear that are longer than the rest of the pile.  When this happens all, you need to do is trim any longer strands with a pair of sharp scissors.  It is important that you do not try to pull these long threads as this may damage the rug.

MARKS OR CREASES IN THE RUG PILE

Due to the way rugs are packaged and stored you may notice that when you unroll your rug there are lines or crease marks running across the width of it.  On some rugs there may only be on of these marks a few inches from one edge of the rug, whereas on some of other rugs (especially our budget polypropylene pile rugs) there may be several creases.  These lines / creases are permanent and will gradually fade with normal use and regular vacuuming.

Some of our rugs are also susceptible to ‘Pile Shading’, especially those that have a shiny or velvety pile (e.g., Jeff Banks, Kudos, and Harlequin rugs).  Pile Shading is a term in the rug and carpet industry that refers to marks caused by certain areas of the pile running in a different direction, meaning that it reflects light differently.  These marks will look either a bit lighter or a bit darker that the rest of the pile in the rug.  If you brush your hand over the pile of some rugs and you see the colour get slightly lighter or darker; then the pile of the rug needs chance to settle over a period of a few weeks so it all runs in the same direction.  Frequent vacuuming or brushing of the pile can help to speed this process up.