Although many kinds of damage can be repaired, prevention is much easier (and cheaper) than repair, so avoid placing potted plants on the rug, and keep an eye on your pets. Inspect the entire rug periodically for signs of wear or damage. When you see something wrong with your rug that is beyond your ability to rectify, don’t hesitate to call a reputable rug dealer for advice. With just a bit of care your rug will provide many years of utility and pride of ownership.
Be careful using a vacuum cleaner equipped with a power brush or “beater bar”: these powered brushes in the vacuum head help the vacuum do a good job on machine-made carpeting, but they cause a raking effect on a hand-made rug’s fibers if used too strenuously.
For routine cleaning, use just the plain vacuum nozzle. This is especially important for fringes; try not to run an upright vacuum or a power brush attachment over fringes. The brush shreds the fringes and causes rapid wear. Frequently fringes get caught and chewed up by the rotating mechanism of the brush.
Pads under rugs can prevent sliding, prolong the life of the rug by cushioning the impact between shoe sole and hard floor surfaces, and provide comfort under foot. A heavy, thick rug does not necessarily need a pad, whereas a thin, soft rug does, as does an older rug or one that has a weakened foundation.
If you decide to use a pad, it should be about an inch smaller than the rug all the way around (not counting the fringe), so that it will not show beneath the rug. It is advisable to always use a pad under a kilim, as they are light, have less body and are supple. A kilim on a polished floor can be very dangerous – an underlay is vital here.
If a rug has been folded for shipping, there may be wrinkles or creases when you lay it down. To flatten a pile rug, first determine which way the nap lays (rub your hand across the pile in the direction of the fringe: the pile will feel smooth one way and will roughen up when rubbed in the opposite direction). Stand at the end of the rug with the nap running toward you. Roll the rug up from this end as tight as you can, then slowly unroll and smooth it down along the way. Kilims can be rolled up any way.
When a rug is to be stored for more than a few months it should be cleaned and rolled up around a smooth rigid cylinder, like a heavy-duty cardboard tube. Add insecticide (for wool rugs), and wrap in protective plastic. Make sure the rug is completely dry. Store the rug in a clean, dry place out of the reach of rodents. Periodic inspection of the rug is strongly recommended.
A rug should be turned end-for-end once in a while (at least once a year) to even out wear and colour change. Try not to use a rug on a very uneven floor; otherwise, use thick padding. If you place furniture on your rug, rotate the rug more often: prolonged pressure from furniture legs can leave irremovable marks. Even a slight shift in position will prevent the rug being worn in certain places.
The best way to keep a rug clean is to keep it from getting dirty in the first place. Removing outdoor shoes when entering the house (as people do in most rug-weaving countries) is a good idea if this accords with your lifestyle.
In case of a food or other spill on a rug, the problem is much more easily handled if the spot is treated promptly.
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