VACUUM REGULARLY
Over time, dirt and grit work down to the base of the pile, where abrasive action damages the wool and wears away the pile. Vacuum your carpet regularly and ALWAYS USE THE SUCTION ATTACHMENT ONLY (never use the beater brush) to remove surface dirt. Beater brushes remove a small amount of wool with each use and can cause the pile of the carpet to pill like a sweater. Do not vacuum over the fringe of your carpet, as this can destroy the fringe and lead to loss of knots and pile. A Roomba vacuum can also pull on the pile and cause shedding if it remains in one area of the carpet too long.

SPILLS
If food or liquids spill onto a carpet, clean the spill as soon as possible. First, blot up any excess fluid. Use club soda or warm soapy water and a clean cloth or towel to remove the remainder. NEVER USE A CLEANING AGENT, as these may affect the dyes and produce permanent color changes. Be sure that the top and underside of the carpet, and the rug pad, are completely dry before relaying the carpet. Failure to do so can result in mold, mildew, and dry rot.

If red wine or red-dyed drinks (like Kool-Aid) are spilled, use club soda immediately. Pour it liberally on the spill and blot with a clean towel. Repeat until all the red color is removed. It helps to use a white towel so you can see when the red color is completely removed.

ANIMAL URINE
Animal urine is very damaging to a handmade rug. Not only is it unpleasant to smell, but it can result in dry rot, permanent staining, and decolorization of the dyes. Whenever accidents occur, use club soda and clean water to thoroughly flush the area. Elevate the soiled area over a pan or bucket and run water through the carpet until clean. Make sure the carpet is completely dry before replacing it flat on the floor. Pets tend to return repeatedly to the same places. When long-term damage is discovered, consult a professional cleaner.

WHEN TO PROFESSIONALLY CLEAN YOUR RUG
How frequently you should have your rug professionally cleaned depends on the location and traffic patterns in your home. Obviously, higher traffic exposes carpets to more dirt. You can check the grit load in the carpet by placing a clean white piece of paper on the surface near a corner. Fold the corner over the piece of paper and strike the back of the carpet on top of the paper several times as hard as possible. Pull back the fold and examine the paper to determine the amount of grit and dirt that was knocked out of the carpet. If appreciable, the carpet should be professionally dusted and cleaned. When your carpet is noticeably soiled, it is time to have it cleaned. Otherwise, cleaning every five years is a good rule of thumb.

PROFESSIONAL CLEANING – BEST PRACTICES
A professional handmade rug cleaner should always begin with a thorough dusting to remove dirt and grit before washing. Dusting cannot be achieved by vacuum cleaning. If not properly done, the dirt residue hardens in the foundation of the rug, makes it stiff and brittle, and causes wear. After dusting, handmade carpets should be thoroughly washed using an appropriately formulated detergent akin to a mild hair shampoo. Do not use any harsh chemicals. The rugs should be washed on both the front and back surfaces. After washing, it is very important to thoroughly rinse the rug until all cleaner is removed. You should never simply surface-shampoo your carpet. This will merely brighten the surface and leave the shampoo and dirt in the carpet. Do not use dry-cleaning powders, as this simply polishes the surface and leaves a large quantity of gritty residue. Handwoven carpets should never be steam-cleaned either, as this will cause dyes to bleed.

Hand-tufted rugs (rugs with heavy fabric backing) cannot be wet-washed due to the latex used in their construction. Keep them well vacuumed and surface-clean only. Professional dusting is acceptable.

RUG PADS
Rug pads are used to provide extra cushioning underfoot and to hold a rug in place. A non-skid pad will help prevent movement of the carpet, which can lead to falls. Pads are especially helpful under hallway runners that tend to move around more than other rug shapes.

MOTH DAMAGE
Moth damage can occur anywhere but is usually found under furniture in dark areas that are not regularly vacuumed. The only long-term, effective moth-proofing is zinc or magnesium fluorosilicate, which lasts until a rug is cleaned. Other moth treatments lose their effectiveness in a few months. Be sure to properly treat any carpets that are partially concealed by furniture.

CARPET ROTATION
Rotate your carpets 180 degrees periodically to minimize wear from traffic patterns and to even out any sun fading.

FADING
Any carpet will fade if exposed to direct ultraviolet sunlight. Most modern windows are Low-E and largely eliminate this problem. Older windows may be coated with a UV-blocking film to minimize it.