In the UK, hand knotted rugs have gained popularity because they provide warmth and are part of a quality investment. You can choose from different materials, but you have to take precautions so that they can be used for a long time. Usually, hand knotted rugs are pretty durable, but when it comes to wool fibres or placing them in a high-traffic space, their charm can fade away, making them look worn out. So, here are routine maintenance instructions to help your rugs get the special care they deserve.
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Regularly vacuum or sweep the rug
You must not give the chance to dirt and dust to get into the fibres of the rugs. If you have placed them in a high-traffic space, their texture might get affected with time, resulting in huge rug fibres or fibre density, making the rug look old. So, we would recommend you vacuum it regularly, or you can also opt for deep cleaning. However, you must never use the vacuum’s beater brush or bristles as it would affect the rug’s fibre. If you think the rug is quite fragile, you can simply sweep it daily to keep it clean.
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Try rotating the rug regularly
The rug will fade or wear out with time if it is placed in a way in the living room where direct sunlight falls. It is best to coat the windows with low-emissivity coatings, which would minimize the infrared and ultraviolet rays coming into your room through the window. Alternatively, if you have placed it in a high-traffic area, then it will surely wear off the colours and texture. So, you have to rotate it 180 degrees every 3 months to protect it from uneven damage.
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Clean the spill immediately
If you have spilt food or liquid onto the rug, immediately clean it; otherwise, the longer it will be kept unaddressed, the more it will seep into the hand knotted rugs, making it harder to remove it altogether. So, to start with, you have to blot out the excess liquid and not rub the spill, or it will settle more profoundly into the fibre. Now, try to spot-clean the area from the edge to the centre, but never use a wet cloth. Avoid soap and cleaning products if you do not want to affect the rug’s dye or create permanent discolouration.
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Prevent mould and odour
If you want to prevent mould, odour or the formation of dry rot from your hand knotted rugs, then you have to eliminate the absorption of excess moisture and keep it completely dry. If you find a small spill or wet footprint on the rug, you have to dry it immediately. Otherwise, it will leave behind a foul odour. So, you can use a towel to absorb the excess liquid or use a hair dryer at a low speed to dry the rug.
Conclusion
Hand knotted rugs are quite valuable, so if you want to maintain their aesthetic appearance, you have to take good care of them. You can also choose a professional treatment service that has experience cleaning these fine rugs or use a rug pad to extend their longevity.
