01
Vacuum gently
Once a week, with suction only. Turn off any rotating brush, and go with the direction of the pile. Never run the vacuum over the fringe.
Care & Cleaning
A rug that is looked after gets better.
Natural fibres are forgiving, and a little regular care does most of the work. Here is what to do each week, each season, and in the first minute after a spill.
The Essentials
Six habits. That is nearly all of it.
Whatever the weave, these hold true. The sections below add what is specific to each construction, and what to do when something goes wrong.
02
Rotate
Turn the rug end to end every three to six months, so footfall and sunlight are shared across the whole surface.
03
Mind the sun
Strong, direct sun fades dyes over time. Draw a curtain through the brightest hours, or move furniture to share the light.
04
Use a breathable pad
A good felt or natural-rubber pad keeps the rug from creeping, cushions the weave and lets air move beneath it. Avoid plastic mats that trap moisture.
05
Spread the weight
Heavy furniture dents the pile. Use wide cups under the legs, and shift pieces a few centimetres now and then so the marks do not set.
06
Blot, never rub
Act quickly, press a clean dry cloth onto the spill, and lift. Rubbing pushes the stain deeper and roughens the fibre.
By Construction
Each weave likes to be treated a little differently.
Dense, resilient, and built to be lived on.
A hand-knotted wool rug is the most durable we make. Wool is naturally springy and resists soiling better than most fibres, which is why a well-kept knotted rug can last for generations.
- Vacuum
- Weekly, suction only, along the pile
- Rotate
- Every three to six months
- Deep clean
- By a specialist rug cleaner, every few years
New wool rugs can release some loose fibre at first. It is normal, and settles with regular, gentle vacuuming.
Do
- Blot spills straight away
- Keep the fringe free of the vacuum
- Air the rug outdoors, in shade, now and then
- Let it dry fully if it ever gets damp
Avoid
- Beater bars and stiff brushes
- Bleach or household carpet shampoo
- Soaking, or drying in strong sun
- Trimming a loose thread: snip it level, never pull
Plush underfoot, and happiest when kept dry.
A hand-tufted rug has its pile held in a backing, so the guiding rule is to use as little moisture as possible. Vacuum often, and treat spills by blotting rather than wetting.
- Vacuum
- Weekly, suction only; no beater bar
- Rotate
- Every three months, to even out pile pressing
- Deep clean
- Professional, dry or low-moisture method
The pile is held in a cloth backing that does not like to stay wet. Dab spills, never soak, and let the rug dry completely in moving air. If you are unsure, write to us before using any water.
Do
- Vacuum gently, in the direction of the pile
- Snip, never pull, a stray tuft that rises above the surface
- Use a pad that lets the backing breathe
- Keep it away from damp floors
Avoid
- Wetting the rug through to the backing
- Steam cleaners and carpet-cleaning machines
- Dragging furniture across the pile
- Pulling at a loose loop or thread
Light, flat, and the easiest to keep.
A dhurrie has no pile to trap dust, so it shakes out and vacuums easily. Being flat and often reversible, it can be turned over to even out wear.
- Vacuum
- Weekly, at a low suction setting
- Shake out
- Outdoors, now and then, held flat
- Turn over
- Every three to six months, if reversible
Cotton can bleed or shrink if washed carelessly. If in doubt, leave washing to a specialist.
Do
- Vacuum both sides
- Use a thin non-slip pad to stop it creeping
- Blot spills, then dry flat
- Roll it for storage, never fold
Avoid
- Hanging it wet over a line: the weight stretches the weave
- Hot machine washing
- Hard brushes that fray the weft
- Leaving it creased for long periods
Honest texture, and a dislike of water.
Jute, sisal and similar fibres are strong and beautifully rough, but they absorb moisture quickly, and water can leave a ring or a stain. Keep them dry, and clean them dry.
- Vacuum
- Weekly, with the brush head off
- Dry clean
- Sprinkle a little baking soda, wait, then vacuum
- Where
- Away from damp rooms and wet entrances
Natural fibre changes colour a little in light, and sheds fine fibre for the first weeks. Both are normal.
Do
- Blot a spill at once, and let the area dry in moving air
- Brush grit out between the fibres
- Lift the rug now and then to air the floor beneath
- Use a pad with breathable backing
Avoid
- Water, steam and wet cleaning
- Bathrooms, kitchens by the sink, covered terraces
- Heavy rubbing on a wet patch
- Plastic pads that hold in humidity
When Something Spills
The first minute matters most.
Do the same four things for tea, wine, ink or mud. Speed and gentleness beat any product.
- 1
Lift off
Scoop up solids with a spoon. Soak up liquid with a clean, dry, white cloth or paper towel.
- 2
Blot
Press down and lift, working from the edge of the stain inwards. Change to a fresh part of the cloth often.
- 3
Dab lightly
If a mark remains, dab with a cloth dampened with cool water. Do not pour, and never soak.
- 4
Dry well
Press dry with a clean cloth and leave to dry in moving air, away from direct sun and heaters.
Please don't
Rub or scrub · use bleach, hot water or a hairdryer · try a household cleaner on a stubborn stain. Stop, and call a specialist rug cleaner instead.
A Simple Rhythm
What to do, and when.
Pin this somewhere you will see it. None of it takes long.
- Weekly
- Vacuum gently, with suction only. Check under heavy furniture.
- Monthly
- Look over the whole rug in daylight for marks, loose threads and sun-lit areas. Shift furniture feet a little.
- Every 3–6 months
- Rotate the rug end to end. Air it outdoors in shade if you can.
- Every 2–3 years
- Professional cleaning for a rug in a busy room, sooner for pale rugs or a home with pets.
Storing & Moving
Roll it. Never fold it.
Folding breaks the foundation threads along the crease. To store a rug, vacuum it, roll it with the pile facing inwards, wrap it in breathable cotton or paper, and keep it somewhere cool and dry. Plastic traps damp, and damp brings mould and moths.
It is also how we pack and send every rug to you.
Professional Care
Knowing when to ask for help.
A specialist rug cleaner is the right call for deep soiling, pet accidents, old stains, water damage, or any rug you value too much to experiment on. Ask whether they wash by hand and dry flat, and avoid anyone who proposes to use a standard carpet machine.
The workshop that made your rug can mend edges, fringes and worn patches. Send photographs to support@loomliving.in and we will quote before any work begins. Charges and transport are agreed with you in advance.
Structural defects are covered by our warranty, and the period for each construction is set out in our Return and Refund Policy.
Not Sure?
Send us a photograph.
Every rug and every stain is a little different. If something has happened to yours, or you would simply like a second opinion before you reach for a cleaner, write to us. If it arrived damaged, tell us within 72 hours of delivery, with photographs.
Curious how your rug was made? Discover the craft · Return & refund policy