A little care goes a long way — Let's talk rugs
17.08.21
Care
So much more than a soft touch under your feet, rugs bring a space together. They offer warmth where once lay an empty floor, a safe space to lay your cushions and settle in for a movie marathon, and even more than that, they bring the colours in your space together (or tone them down).
Your rug is walked over, dragged around, and squashed under ever changing furniture feet. So, from time to time, make sure you give it a little love. Below is some helpful tips and tricks when selecting, positioning and maintaining your rug.
A diverse range
Our rug collection offers a diverse range of handmade qualities – from a variety of patterns, makes, materials and colours. We pride ourselves on working with a small selection of artisans and makers, to ensure we can offer you a collection crafted from some of the best in their trade who use traditional hand making techniques, such as weaving, hand knotting and hand tufting. With such a great variety, this does also mean that each are quite different from one another. It’s important to remember this is just a general guide, and we always recommend seeking the advice and services of an experienced rug cleaning specialist where required.
Rug positioning
When positioning your rug, there is a little more to consider then the furniture that will be placed on top. The positioning of your rug will have an effect on its longevity and appearance over time. Just like all of us, your rug is at the sun’s mercy. The best thing for your rug is to avoid direct and continuous exposure to sunlight, whether that’s by repositioning it or by pulling a soft curtain across when you’re not home to keep it safe. Rugs do a great job to keep you warm, but they don’t particularly like to be kept hot themselves. Avoid positioning them near a direct heat source such as fireplaces or gas heaters as this can cause fibers to dry out and colours to fade. We know it can be difficult to avoid them all, find the perfect rug and create the best layout for your home, but at the end of the day we always recommend rotating to ensure a consistency against sun, high traffic and high spill zones.
Make sure your rug suits its intended use
Different fibres and weaving techniques make a rug more or less suitable for certain areas. It’s important to consider the best rug style suited to your specific needs and the rugs intended purpose before you purchase (alongside colour, size and comfort between your toes of course).
Things to be mindful of: Spreckles rug – This rug is crafted from a silk and wool combination. Due to the delicate nature of silk, we do not recommend placing this rug in high traffic areas.
As a rule (and as you will hear us harp on about) we recommend rotating your rug every 6 months to equalise fading and wear. Some rugs can be flipped more then others, for example our Bam Bam rugs can not only be rotated round and round, but they are reversible which means they can also be flipped over completely.
Furniture placement
Rugs are soft. They are beautifully woven fibers that create a soft surface for the home. But this does mean their piles aren’t particularly strong, so it is completely normal for heavy furniture to flatten the pile of your rug. In most cases the pile will be restored by moving the rug to equalise wear (or rotating – so many bonuses for your rug!) For long pile rugs, tread with care when you are positioning or moving furniture on or off your rug. Avoid dragging as much as possible as the edges of furniture can catch and pull the pile of your rug.
Don’t forget, we are to help! Our sales team can help you with choosing the most suitable rug for your space, and even the best ones to go for if you’d like to try avoid furniture marks where possible.
Pets — They don't always love your rug as much as you do
Unfortunately, pets don’t always share the same appreciation for your rug as you do. Please be conscious of the fact that pets can easily damage your rug by clawing fibres and by excrement. When consulting our sales team to find your perfect rug, it’s best to mention any furry friends that might be wandering across it and they can advise you of the possible outcomes. Should anything happen and your rug is affected by pet odours or excrement, please contact an experienced rug cleaning professional.
A dry space to call home
Rugs don’t like swimming or being around water of any kind – always ensure your rugs are placed in dry areas, away from moist, damp or wet environments as the natural fibres of the rugs can absorb odours and moisture from the surrounding environment. With this in mind, never place items on your rug which will block all air flow or may add moisture. For example, pot plants should not be placed on rugs as they can cause permanent damage. To keep your rug feeling its best, we recommend airing your rug once or twice a year whilst the climate is dry.
Shedding & loose fibers
We love having natural fibers in our rugs, but this does come with a tendency to shed. It’s important to know that all of the rugs we offer may shed or have some loose fibers. Generally, shedding will take place in the first 1-6 months of the rug’s lifetime, and will then grow slower the more it’s lived on. If your rug is between the TV and the fridge, or any other high traffic areas, you may always notice a small amount of shredding. To remove, simply vacuum over the fibers. If you notice any loose threads or ends, we strongly and patiently recommend you do not pull them! Instead, simply clip them carefully with fabric scissors.
Vacuuming your rug
We know this seems like an obvious one, but it’s also a very important one! To make the most of your rug and ensure longevity (not to mention to keep up appearances) we recommend vacuuming your rug regularly. We don’t however recommend using rotating or brush head vacuum cleaners.
A deep vacuum
No matter how much you try, over time dirt, dust particles and general grit will build up in your rug. To combat this, we recommend a deep vacuum 2-3 times a year (it also doubles as a workout). To deep vacuum - you vacuum the top side of the rug, flip it, vacuum the bottom of the rug, flip it again, and then give it one last vacuum to finish it off. Vacuuming the underside of your rug helps loosen and release some of the dirt particles that have woven their way through your rug overtime.
A wet rug
Should accidents happen and your rug becomes wet or damp, start by absorbing any moisture with a clean dry cloth or towel. Dependent on the rugs weight, if possible, lift or raise the wet area of the rug off the floor to dry on both sides. NEVER use hair dryers or other heating devices to dry the area. Ensure your rug is completely dry before you reposition and place furniture. If it’s a big spill with significant water damage, please consult a rug cleaning specialist for advice.
That brings us to the dreaded spills...
Ones that we vow will never touch the rug the day it comes home, but as our lives begin to revolve around the softness of the rug, they almost become inevitable.
Water based spills
For example milk, juice, blood, soft drink, tea, urine and even vomit
Step one is get to them straight away!! If the liquid has not settled into the rug try to absorb any excess liquid. Place a colourfast clean cloth or uncoloured paper towel directly on the liquid to absorb the spill, and gently dab the liquid to soak it up.
Step two – use a clean cloth, dampened with cold water and dab the affected area. Do not follow a circular motion as this will embed the spill into the rug and can damage the pile! Simply dab and blot working from the outside in. And don’t hesitate to repeat this step as required.
Step three – after cleaning a spill or stain, the rug needs to be dried completely. Absorb any lasting moisture with another clean dry cloth or towel, then lift the wet area of the rug off the floor. Let it dry naturally! Never apply heat to the rug (keep the hair dryers to your hair and the portable heaters to warm your hands). If necessary, carefully restore the pile using a soft brush.
100% Wool rugs only - Oil based spills
For example oily foods, creams or sauces
Step one is the same as above, to get to them straight away!! If the liquid has not settled into the rug try to absorb any excess liquid. Place a colourfast clean cloth or uncoloured paper towel directly on the liquid to absorb the spill, and gently dab the liquid to soak it up.
Step two – combine either a mild wool wash solution with lukewarm water (1 part wool wash to 9 parts water) or use a suitable mild product prescribed by a rug cleaning professional for wool rugs. Following this use a clean cloth, dampened with the wool and water solution and sab the affected area. Do not follow a circular motion as this will embed the spill into the rug and can damage the pile! Simply dab and blot working from the outside in. And don’t hesitate to repeat this step as required.
Step three – after cleaning a spill or stain, the rug needs to be dried completely. Absorb any lasting moisture with another clean dry cloth or towel, then lift the wet area of the rug off the floor. Let it dry naturally! Never apply heat to the rug (keep the hair dryers to your hair and the portable heaters to warm your hands). If necessary, carefully restore the pile using a soft brush.
Spills with colourants or acid
For example cordial, red wine, red sauces & urine
Unfortunately spills that contain colourants or acid can damage fibres and your rugs colouring. Please take extra care when cleaning these type of spills, and if ever in doubt, contact a specialist straight away!
Step one is to always treat any liquid spills immediately. If the liquid has not settled into the rug try to absorb any excess liquid. Place a colourfast clean cloth or uncoloured paper towel directly on the liquid to absorb the spill, and gently dab the liquid to soak it up.
Step two – after cleaning a spill or stain, the rug needs to be dried completely. Absorb any lasting moisture with another clean dry cloth or towel, then lift the wet area of the rug off the floor. Let it dry naturally! Never apply heat to the rug (keep the hair dryers to your hair and the portable heaters to warm your hands).
Step three – immediately contact a rug cleaning specialist to arrange a specialist clean! Heavily coloured stains should be removed from the rug as soon as possible, so for the best chance of restoration it’s always recommended to act quick on this.
Non water based spills
Spills other than food and drink such as paint, shoe polish, nail polish, makeup and glue, will not respond to a water-based spot clean. For these nasties, do not treat the spills yourself as doing as may create a larger or permanent stain. Instead, remove any excess from the spill by scraping it off gently with a spoon or soft edged utensil, then call a professional rug cleaning specialist.
From the bottom of your shoe – dirt or soil marks
We’ve all done it. Accidentally come audaciously charging through the house after conquering a walk (or a run for any over achievers), only to turn around and notice the trail we’ve left behind. But never fear! Tips & tricks are here. For dirt marks, such as soil, simply allow the soil or dirt to dry and then follow up with a vacuum. If marks remain, use a clean cloth, dampened with cold water and dab the affected area. Again, do not follow a circular motion, simply dab and blot. Absorb any excess moisture after cleaning with another clean dry cloth or towel. If it persists and the stain remains, contact a professional rug cleaning specialist.
Professional Cleaning
Bam Bam, Dari, Leo, Pebble, Loop, Stevie & Spreckles
After time, no matter how much you try and be the perfect care giver and deep vacuumer, your rug will require professional cleaning. For all of our rugs, we recommend contacting a professional cleaner and provide the details of your rug including construction and fabrication as different cleaning methods are recommended depending on each individual rug. Professional maintenance is essential to preserve your rug.
Very important! Do NOT dry clean or steam clean the above rug styles. Instead, contact a professional rug cleaner who specialises in handmade rugs. For recommendations, please contact our Jardan team.
Made to Order Collection
Our Made to Order collection can be cleaned by two formats of professional cleaning.
Firstly, they can be cleaned by contacting a professional. Always provide the details of the rug to the specialist, including construction and fabrication as different cleaning methods are recommended depending on each individual rug.
Secondly, these rugs are also suitable for hot water extraction or steam cleaning. Always ensure this is carried out by a rug cleaning specialist and reputable operator. Ensure the operator treats an isolated test area prior to treating the entire rug. Always ensure the test result is to your satisfaction before proceeding to all areas. We recommend rugs are then dried using blow heaters by the specialist after steam cleaning to remove all traces of moisture.
As always, for recommendations, please contact our Jardan team. Whether that be for professional cleaners, for the best position of your rug, or the best type of rug that will suit the use of the space. Our team are here to help and would love to hear from you.
Please take note, our care and maintenance guide is a general guide. Jardan assumes no responsibility in relation to the use of this information. We recommend seeking the advice or services of an experienced rug cleaning specialist where required. Please contact us should you require more information about your rugs fabrication or construction prior to engaging a specialist.
