Rug Maintenance

Moths are best combatted by frequently moving and handling your rug and exposing it regularly to light and air to keep the moths at bay. If you must put your antique rugs into storage, try to check on them regularly to ensure there is no moth damage. There are also certain chemical applications that will render the wool inedible to moths.

There is no rule that says you cannot get your hand-knotted rug wet; after all, if you want to place your rug in an entry way, it will naturally encounter wet shoes. However, to prevent rot and other damage, try to keep damp shoes from being left on the rug for an extended period. If you have any accidents or spills, dry them as quickly as possible and reach out to the Knotty Rug Company for rug cleaning services as quickly as possible.

You can absolutely vacuum your hand-knotted rug, but we recommend that you vacuum with the grain, called the “nap”, not against. Vacuuming against the nap presses dirt back into the rug.

The direction of the nap can easily be determined by running your hand across the pile from fringe to fringe. If the rug feels smooth, you are running your hand in the direction of the nap. If it feels rough, you are rubbing your hand against the nap. The pile of a rug naturally slants towards one end of the rug and has a noticeable impact on texture and color.

Never vacuum the fringe on your rug. Doing so can cause the fringe to tear and break. Sweeping the fringe with a broom gives the best results. Always vacuum with low-level suction using an empty chamber to minimize dust and dirt.

Good quality rug padding protects your hand-knotted rug, especially in heavily trafficked areas. The best padding is a hair or fiber-filled pad with rubberized surfaces to keep the rug from moving or wrinkling. The life of a hand-knotted rug can be doubled with the use of a good quality pad.

To avoid sun damage due to too much exposure, frequently rotate your rug from sunny areas to the other side of the room to equalize the effect of the sun. Avoid continuous exposure to bright, hot areas within your home as even indirect sunlight will cause damage to the dyed fabrics in oriental and Persian rugs. On exceptionally sunny days, use window shades, shutters, or heavy curtains to reduce sun damage to your antique rug.

Before hanging carpets on the wall, you should be certain that the warp threads can withstand the strain. Never use nails or staples to hold the rug up. Use a strong poster holder to evenly distribute the weight of the hanging carpet.

To restore the piles that are indented or crushed by the legs of furniture, brush the depressed area with a soft brush and faintly moisten the area with a spray bottle. Continue brushing the piles upright, but do not use too much force.

Do you have questions about protecting your hand-knotted rug? We have the answers! If you can’t find your question here, visit our store today or reach out to us through our contact form.