Rug Care
Product Care & FAQ
Normal Rug Characteristics
(Not defects — not eligible for return)
Shedding All wool rugs will shed. Hand-knotted rugs shed less than tufted rugs.
Sprouts Loose fibers are common in handmade rugs. Simply clip them with scissors — don't pull.
Creases Creases from shipping/folding should disappear within a week or two. Try reverse-rolling the rug to speed this up.
Fading Rugs placed in direct sunlight will fade over time. Rotate your rug periodically to fade evenly.
Wear Rotate your rug every 3–6 months to even out wear from foot traffic.
Odor A mild odor after unboxing is normal and will dissipate within about a week.
General Care & Cleaning
To keep your rug looking its best for years, follow these care tips.
Vacuuming Vacuuming is actually the most damaging thing you can do to a rug if done incorrectly — take care:
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High-powered vacuums (e.g. bagless Dyson, Oreck) can pull threads through the back of the rug and cause sprouting. Solution: use the handheld attachment instead.
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Beater bars can pull fibers from the face of the rug, causing fuzzing. Solution: turn the beater bar off, or set it to the highest setting if it can't be disabled.
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Edges (serging) are delicate — running a vacuum directly over them can cause the serging to deteriorate. Solution: vacuum edges carefully, or avoid direct contact.
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Fringes will be damaged by any standard vacuum. Solution: use the handheld attachment only.
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Best tools: brooms, sweepers, and canister vacuums without a beater bar are the gentlest and most effective options.
Spot Cleaning
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Clean spills immediately — set-in stains are much harder to remove.
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Never rub a spill; this pushes it deeper into the fibers. Blot with a clean white cloth instead.
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Wool rugs: use lukewarm water, Surya Stain Remover, or a wool-safe cleaning liquid.
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Synthetic rugs: use Surya Stain Remover, Fantastic, or 409 for grease and stubborn stains.
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Natural fiber rugs: use lukewarm water only.
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Always rinse with clean water afterward and blot dry with clean towels.
Professional Cleaning
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Always use a rug-cleaning professional experienced with handmade rugs — it's different from cleaning wall-to-wall carpet.
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Inspect the rug together with the cleaner before service begins, and get a signed receipt with a guarantee of work.
Extend the Life of Your Rug
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We recommend a rug pad under every area rug.
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Rug pads reduce wear from friction between the rug and floor.
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They help prevent slipping and tripping on turned-up edges.
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They add cushioning underfoot on hard flooring.
Care Instructions by Rug Type
Wool Rugs
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Blot out the stain with a dry cotton towel or white paper towel.
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Scrape off any food or debris with a dull instrument.
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Mix a small amount of dish soap with a cup of cold water.
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Gently clean the area with a sponge and the soap mixture — avoid excess water.
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Blot dry with a clean towel.
Avoid excessive heat or agitation. Wool is more prone to bleeding and staining than synthetics, so clean promptly and carefully. We recommend professional cleaning annually.
Indoor/Outdoor Rugs
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Blot out the stain with a dry cotton towel or white paper towel.
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Scrape off any food or debris with a dull instrument.
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Mix a small amount of dish soap with a cup of cold water.
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Clean with a sponge and the soap mixture, then let the area dry.
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For all-over cleaning, spray with a soap-and-water mixture and rinse with a garden hose.
Natural Fiber Rugs (Jute / Hemp / Coir / Sisal)
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These rugs naturally have loose fibers and knots. Vacuum regularly on a low-power setting, from multiple angles.
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Trim loose face fibers with scissors — never pull them, to avoid unraveling.
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Blot spills with a clean, undyed cloth, working from the outer edge toward the center.
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For spot cleaning, use only small amounts of water — do not saturate. Test any cleaning solvent on a small hidden area first.
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For stubborn stains, use a professional cleaner experienced with natural fiber rugs.
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Do not dry clean. Strong chemicals may damage or fade the rug.
Shag Rugs
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Spray extraction with wool-approved products works well for cleaning.
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Shedding is normal for wool shag rugs and decreases over time. Don't pull the yarn out — this can damage the rug.
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Canister vacuums without a beater bar are most effective. Vacuums with beater bars/brushes (or ones set too low) may abrade the rug's face.