Every Source Mondial handmade rug has unique characteristics. Care when maintaining and cleaning your rug will help retain its inherent beauty and lustrous appearance, and will also ensure its longevity.
The following information is provided as a general guide to assist our clients with the care, maintenance and cleaning of their rugs.
CARE
PREVENTION
Where possible, introduce an obstacle to the transition of dirt from outside to your interior rug. Options include the removal of shoes, or the installation of a door mat that collects soil and prevents the immediate transfer of extraneous dirt.
If your rug becomes wet, do not leave it damp on the floor. Either completely dry the rug in the sun, or contact a professional cleaner to dry it for you.
Avoid direct and continuous exposure to sunlight. Consider drawing curtains/shades during times of high sun exposure
VACUUMING – VACUUM, VACUUM, VACUUM!
The removal of dry soil by regular vacuuming is the foremost maintenance protocol. Regular and thorough vacuuming not only prevents staining from the soil, but also prevents damage to rug fibres caused by the friction of imbedded dirt particles as they wear against the rug pile from the pressure of foot traffic.
DO NOT use a rotating brush attachment on a handmade rug as this can cause damage to rug fibres, most especially to felted wool. Take care to avoid vacuuming any fringe on the rug.
ROTATION
Occasional rotation of your wool rug will help diminish uneven UV fading and/or traffic wear.
SPROUTING
Cut pile handmade rugs may on occasion “sprout” when individual fibres pop up above the pile level. This is a natural occurrence and not a fault. These fibres should be trimmed with sharp scissors to pile height
DO NOT pull at these fibres. DO NOT trim at base of rug.
SHEDDING
Shedding is a normal process which occurs as a result of excess fibres that were not completely incorporated into the yarn during the spinning process. Any occurrence of this will minimise over time. Regular vacuuming of your rug at the outset will assist with reducing any shedding timeframe.
CLEANING
The cleaning protocol for a rug will vary depending upon its composition and some fibres will require particular care when cleaning. Source Mondial recommends that whenever possible, the advice and services of a professional carpet cleaner should be obtained.
There are however occasions when an immediate response is required. and the below general guide is provided for that purpose.
SPILLS – SPOT CLEANING
All spills should be treated quickly to prevent permanent stain or pile damage. While quick action is necessary, be patient – do not scrub, rub or use circular motions.
- Remove any excess solids/liquids from the pile using a blunt edge knife or a spoon;
- Where any remaining spill consists of dry solids, use a vacuum cleaner to thoroughly remove;
- Blot away any remaining liquid spill with dry absorbent white paper towels or other colourfast absorbent material;
- Work/blot from the outside of the spill towards the centre to avoid spread;
- DO NOT scrub or rub the spill. DO NOT use circular motions. This can spread the spill and cause permanent damage to the pile;
- Continue to blot the spill with fresh dry paper towels/cloth until the spill has been totally absorbed and is dry to the touch;
- If a stain remains:
– dilute, but do not flood the stain with clean water. Repeat blotting with fresh dry towels/cloth until the area is dry to the touch. Repeat diluting and blotting as necessary;
– for sensitive and sisal fibres, use a fresh paper towel/cloth slightly dampened with a solution of 2/3rd water/1/3rd white vinegar and apply pressure to the pile to dampen the stain. Blot and then repeat as necessary;
– for oil based stains, dilute, but do not flood the stain with a mild clear detergent and warm water, then blot. Dilute the stain with clean water
and blot again. Repeat diluting and blotting as necessary;
– refer to the Wools of New Zealand’s spot cleaning guide;
– be patient, and DO NOT scrub, rub or use circular motions - If a stain persists, seek the advice or services of a professional carpet cleaner
