Care and Cleaning

  1. Knowing Your Rug
  2. Maintenance Of Your Rug
  3. Special Cleaning Guidelines
  4. Rug Pads: Protect Your Investment And Yourself
  5. Common Questions

Knowing Your Rug

We know that you will enjoy your rug for years to come. Area rugs are one of the easiest ways to freshen the look and style of your home. Like any investment, an area rug must be properly taken care of if it is to last.

Our rugs are handmade by skilled artisans or machine-woven in a specialty manufacturing facility. Each rug is checked to meet quality standards before going out for shipments. The following eight simple facts will help you prolong the life of your rug and answer any questions or concerns you may have about your rug.

Color

Each rug is unique. It is absolutely normal to have slight color differences across the rugs due to the humidity, hand-dying process, varying exposure to daylight, and different batches of dyes used in the handmade rugs. These 'imperfections' are regarded as elements that add up to the beauty of the product!

Odor

Odors are caused by dyes, yarns and shipping for long distances in sealed wrap. Most odors dissipate within a week once the rug is removed from the shipping wrap.
Best ways to remove odors from your new area rug:

Wrinkles

It is normal to observe wrinkles in your new rug upon unrolling. Rest assured it is easy to help your rug adjust and to get rid of these wrinkles. The best way to go about this is to roll the reverse side and wait a couple of days after opening, and it should flatten out. If possible, using a pad is also recommended. Also, putting weight on the places where the waves are would help flatten them out as well.
For more detailed instructions, please see the video below:

Shedding

All wool rugs will shed. Shedding will subside over time, depending on traffic and wear. It typically takes 20-25 vacuums, at a minimum, to curtail shedding. Some will shed for the lifetime of the rug.

Fading

As a general rule, rugs of all materials and constructions should be rotated every 3-6 months to balance color and evenly distribute wear.

Sprouts

Loose fibers, or sprouts, are a normal part of the break-in process of handmade rugs. To remove sprouts, use a small pair of scissors to snip them off even with the pile. Do not pull the fiber out, as this can cause a deterioration of the backing.

Materials

We use the highest quality materials in all products, some materials are more delicate and require special care. For example, while viscose lends a high sheen, luster and softness to a rug, it is a material made of wood pulp that is broken down and formed into fibers. These fibers are much more delicate than wool and are not advised for high-traffic areas. In addition, special care must be taken when cleaning. Please see more details on cleaning your viscose rug in the Special Cleaning Guideline section below.

Maintenance Of Your Rug

How to vacuum your rug

  • Canister vacuums without beater bars are the optimal type of vacuum to use on rugs. Brooms and manual sweepers are also a gentle and effective way to clean rugs.
  • Many of today’s upright vacuums are super high powered. The high suction can pull out the threads from the back of a rug and cause “sprouts.” Use the handheld attachment to vacuum your area rug, whenever possible.
  • If you choose not to (or are unable to use) the handheld attachment on your upright vacuum, make sure to turn off the vacuum’s beater bar, as it can pull fibers from the face of the rug and cause the rug to fuzz. If the beater bar cannot be turned off, set it on the highest position possible before vacuuming. Then, carefully place the vacuum on the rug.
  • If the rug has serged (finished) edges, refrain from continuously running the vacuum over the edges, as this will loosen fibers around the edges and cause them to deteriorate.
  • Avoid running the vacuum over the fringes at the ends of the rug, as fraying may occur. Use the handheld attachment to clean the fringes.
  • If a rug is reversible, make sure to vacuum both sides. This will remove grit and grime that can prematurely wear out your rug.

    •  

    How to clean your rug

     

  • Clean spills immediately. Once a stain is set, it becomes much more difficult to clean.
  • Never rub a spill, as this forces the spill deeper into the rug. Instead, blot the stain with a clean white cloth. Work from the outer edges of the spill towards the center to prevent spreading.
  • As wool is more prone to bleeding and staining than synthetic fibers, use lukewarm water for the wool rug to remove any residual stain.
  • Always use clean water to remove any residual cleaner, and dry towels to absorb any remaining moisture.
  • Please note that Viscose and Tencel rugs should never be cleaned with any water or liquid.

    • Professional cleaning for your handmade rug

     

  • Always use a professional area rug cleaning expert. Cleaning a handmade rug requires a process different from cleaning a wall-to-wall carpet.
  • Inspect the rug with a rug cleaning expert prior to cleaning. Get a signed receipt and guarantee of work before the work is performed.

    • Special Cleaning Guidelines

    Wool & Cotton Rugs

     

  • With a dry cotton towel or white paper towel, blot out the stain as much as possible.
  • Scrape off any food or debris with a dull instrument.
  • Mix a very small amount of dish soap with a cup of cold water. With a clean sponge and soap mix (avoid using excessive water), gently remove the remainder of the stain and then blot the area with a dry towel.
  • Avoid excessive heat or agitation, as wool rugs are more prone to bleeding and staining than synthetic rugs. We recommend using a professional rug cleaner on an annual basis.

    • Synthetic Fiber Rugs (Olefin | Polypropylene | Nylon)

     

  • With a dry cotton towel or white paper towel, blot out the stain as much as possible.
  • Scrape off any food or debris with a dull instrument.
  • Mix a very small amount of dish soap with a cup of cold water. With a clean sponge and soap mix, remove the remainder of stain and then blot the area with a dry towel.

    • Outdoor Rugs

     

    • With a dry cotton towel or white paper towel, blot out the stain as much as possible.
    • Scrape off any food or debris with a dull instrument.
    • Mix a very small amount of dish soap with a cup of cold water. With a clean sponge and soap mix, remove the remainder of the stain. Allow the area to dry.
    • For all-over cleaning, spray with a mixture of soap and water and rinse with a garden hose.

    Natural Fiber Rugs (Jute | Coir | Sisal)

     

  • Natural fiber rugs inherently have loose fibers and knots. Regularly vacuum the rug on a low power setting, making sure to vacuum from different angles.
  • Loose threads on the face of the rug should be trimmed with household scissors. To avoid unraveling or damaging the rug, threads on the rug’s face should never be pulled.
  • Spills should be gently blotted with a clean, undyed cloth to absorb as much of the spill as possible and prevent spreading. Work from the outer edges of the spill towards the center. If applying cleaning solvents, test on a small area first. For stubborn stains, use a professional cleaning service that specializes in natural fiber rugs. Do not dry clean, as strong cleaning chemicals may damage or fade the rug.

    • Shag Rugs

     

  • Spray extraction, along with use of a wool-approved product, can be used to clean shag rugs.
  • Shedding is normal for shag products and decreases over time. Do not pull yarn out, as this may result in damage to the rug.
  • Canister vacuums without a beater bar are most effective in cleaning shag rugs. Vacuums with beater bars and/or brushes, or those set too low, may abrade the face of the rug.

    • Viscose Rugs

     

  • Viscose rugs are constructed of wood cellulose fibers, which absorb moisture easily, therefore cleaning is not advised.
  • If cleaning should become necessary, dry cleaning is preferable. However, always check with the dry cleaner since some harsh chemicals may cause discoloration to the fibers.
  • Do not spot clean with water as cellulose fibers will turn yellow or discolor when wet and may stain after cleaning.
  • Lighter colors are more susceptible to staining and large, solid areas will show staining more easily.
  • Avoid placing viscose rugs in high-traffic areas to minimize the need for cleaning.

    • Washable Rugs

    Our rugs are stain-resistant, lightweight, and family & pet-friendly. To increase the lifespan of your rug, care is a necessity. Here are the best ways to clean your washable rugs.

  • Clean your rug with a cotton cloth or paper towel. Starting from the edges of the spill clean with blotting motion through the center. Use a solution of dish soap and cold water. For larger spills and stubborn stains, a washing machine can be used.
  • For best results, after any major accidents, the rug should be cleaned or washed immediately. For minor spills, spot-cleaning is recommended with dish soap.

    Machine washing:
  • First, place it in the washing machine with the reverse side of the rug facing up. You can use non-bleach detergents for washable rugs. Please do not use bleach, or fabric softener. To remove stubborn stains, we recommend pretreating the rug by gently rubbing the stained area with dish soap, and then washing it in the washing machine with cold water. Please use your washer's delicate cycle. For stubborn stains, repeat these washing instructions.
  • To preserve the longevity and appearance of your washable rug, you should avoid the use of washing machines with agitators. Agitator washers feature a central spinning post that may affect the integrity of the threads in your rug. To prevent deterioration during a wash, we recommend utilizing washing machines with impeller designs instead of agitators. These washers provide a gentler washing experience, and this will help preserve the integrity and beauty of your rugs for years to come.
    Using the chart below, you can determine the washability of your rug according to your washing machine's load-capacity recommendation.
    Drying:
  • The most convenient method for drying the rug is hanging and air-drying. However, it is also convenient to use the dryer. Place the rug with the reverse surface up in the dryer and set the dryer to low heat. Remember that high heat can damage the rug. For larger rugs, a second dryer cycle might be required. Buffs or curls may occur on rugs that are dried in the dryer, but these fluffs will pass over time. The most effective way to avoid this is to air dry your rug by hanging it. This will prevent the temporary buffs and curls.
  • Any wrinkles or puffiness on your rug will disappear within 1-2 weeks depending on foot traffic. For a quick recovery, you should place it under another rug with heavy foot traffic and leave it for 2 days. These recommendations will help your rug adjust quickly after a wash.

    • Rug Pads: Protect Your Investment And Yourself

    A rug pad provides a durable, long-lasting foundation that protects a rug for years to come.

    THE PROPER RUG PAD CAN:

     

  • Extend the life of the rug by reducing wear and tear and enhancing air circulation between the rug and floor.
  • Help to prevent accidents by holding the rug in place, minimizing movement and slippage.
  • Add extra comfort underfoot by providing additional cushioning and support.
  • Protect all floor types, including both hard surfaces and carpets.

    • Common Questions:

    How do I get rid of wrinkles on my new rug?

    The best way to go about this is to roll the reverse side and wait a couple of days after opening, and it should flatten out. If possible, using a pad is also recommended. Also, putting weight on the places where the waves are would help flatten them out as well.
    For more detailed instructions please see the video below:

    Can I use stain protectants on rugs?

    We do not know the ingredients of stain protectants. That's why we don't recommend them. But we have customers who use them and we haven't received any negative feedback.

    Which rugs are best cleaned with robot vacuum cleaners?

    We do not recommend rugs with fringe. Robot vacuums do not work well on rugs with big fringes.

    The rug has a strong odor to it upon opening. Any ideas on how to get rid of the smell?

    Odors are caused by dyes, yarns, and shipping for long distances in sealed wrap. Most odors dissipate within a week once the rug is removed from the shipping wrap. If you air the rug out for a couple of days, after some time the smell should fade away eventually.

    How to clean pet stains?

    You can use dish soap or pure alcohol to remove the stains.

    How should I clean my rug pad?

    For dry messes, vacuuming in the low suction setting is a simple solution. For wet messes, our recommendation is spot-cleaning. Washcloth or towel with soap and water is the best method for cleaning your rug pad. Allowing the pad to dry is also essential.

    Can I vacuum my rug pad?

    Yes. In a low suction setting, vacuuming is possible for the rug pad.

    Are all your rugs machine washable?

    Only rugs under the category of “WASHABLES” are machine-washable. Unfortunately, other rugs cannot be washed in the machine. Please be acknowledged that if the rugs not categorized as washable are washed there may be damage like shedding, losing threads, wrinkles, discoloration, and so on.
    To see our machine washable rugs, please click this link:
    https://boutiquerugs.com/collections/machine-washable-area-rugs

    Can I use washable rugs in a house with pets?

    Our washable area rugs are pet friendly. There will not be any problems as long as the washing instructions are properly followed. With our pet-friendly rugs, you can enjoy peace of mind when accidents happen. They are the best pet-friendly and stain-resistant rugs.
    To find more of our pet friendly rugs, please visit our website using the following link:
    https://boutiquerugs.com/collections/pet-friendly-rugs

    Can I use detergent when washing my machine-washable rug?

    You can use non-bleach detergents for washable rugs. Using Borax or EC3 is not recommended for our washable rugs. To clean stubborn stains, we recommend pretreating the rug gently, rubbing the stained area with dish soap and then washing it in the washing machine with cold water.

    Does the rug change color after washing or drying?

    If you follow the recommended care instructions correctly, your washable rug will remain bright and vibrant thanks to its high-quality material.

    Can I use bleach when washing the rugs?

    No. Using bleach is not recommended when washing any of our washable rugs. It may damage the colors and the integrity of the rug.

    Can I use a fabric softener for Washable rugs?

    No. Using fabric softener is not recommended. A fabric softener may flatten the texture of the rug.