But be careful that the fringes don’t get pulled or sucked in by the vacuum
cleaner.
Turn, turn this knowledge into action.
Rotate your rug 180 degrees every few months, or every year, depending on traffic
patterns.
Rotation is necessary for two reasons. First, all parts of your rug should be exposed
to light equally so that the colors fade evenly.
When colors are exposed to the sun evenly, they become harmonious and the rug ages
nicely, but if different parts of the rug receive unequal amounts of sun exposure,
over time, one side might look over faded and one side too bright.
Second, is traffic. All parts of the rug should be exposed to an equal amount of
traffic so that the pile wears evenly.
Accidents happen. Here’s first aid.
A water spill should be dried immediately with a hairdryer set on a warm temperature.
Try to dry both sides of your rug if possible.
In case of a soft drink or alcohol spill, apply salt or baking soda to the spot
for a few minutes to absorb the color of the drink.
Then vacuum off the salt or baking soda.
After vacuuming, use a wet towel to gently wipe the stain in the direction of the
nap (the direction the pile faces).
You can wet the towel with regular or carbonated water. Be gentle; do not scrub
your rug.
For old stains, take the rug to a professional handmade rug retailer. Do not try
to clean old stains yourself.
Complete washing shouldn’t be completed by you.
Have your rug washed by a professional every 2 to 5 years depending on the amount
of traffic on the rug.
It is important to have it washed professionally because, as the rug is used, dust,
dirt and broken fiber get into the foundation.
Professionals dust the rug with special equipment to get all of these elements out
of the foundation before washing the rug.
Then, they usually wash the rug by hand using natural soap.
They will also make sure the rug is dried from the surface to the foundation before
it is used again.
Most handmade rug dealers and retailers offer appropriate cleaning products and
or services.