Weaving a hand knotted rug is an art form that has not changed since ancient times. A skilled artisan individually ties every single knot to create intricate patterns and designs. A typical hand knotted 8×11 rug can take 6 months to a year or more for an artisan to make. Starting on a loom, strands of thread are stretched from the top to the bottom of the loom. These threads are the foundation to the rug. The weaver then ties each knot of the rug to these threads with the appropriate color of wool to create the pattern that will ultimately adorn your floor for many years to come. Hand knotted wool rugs are durable, textural and beautiful.
Wool is dirt and stain resistant and will look wonderful long-term simply by vacuuming regularly without the use of the beater bar. Use only cold water when cleaning wool to avoid shrinkage. If spills occur, blot immediately with a dry cotton cloth, blot again with mild soap and cold water, and again to dry. Avoid excessive heat or agitation. Do not use oxygen cleaners on your wool rug. Avoid direct sunlight to prevent fading. For best results periodic professional cleaning is recommended.
SILKETTE RUGS
Silkette rugs are constructed of wood cellulose fibers which absorb moisture easily, therefore cleaning is not advised. Experienced and professional dry cleaning is recommended. Do not spot clean with clean water as cellulose fiber can discolor when exposed to water. Avoid placing Silkette rugs in high-traffic areas.
1. Use the handheld attachment to vacuum your rug. High powered vacuums can pull threads out of the back of tugs and cause sprouts.
2. Turn the beater bar off on your vacuum, or if it can not be turned off have it on the highest setting. Beater bar can pull fibers from the face of the rug or they can cause the face of your rug to fuzz
3. Carefully place your vacuum on the edge of the rug. The serging on the edges of rugs are very sensitive. Running the vacuum over the edges can cause the serging to deteriorate and fibers can come loose around the edges.
4. Use the handheld attachment to clean edges.
5. Brooms and sweepers are a great, gentle way to clean your rug. Canister vacuums without beater bars are the most effective.
Special notes:
Color
No two rugs are the same. Slight color variations are common for handmade rugs, as dye lots may change over a period of time.
Shedding
All wool rugs will shed. Shedding will subside over time, depending on traffic and wear. It typically takes 20-25 vacuums, at a minimum, to curtail shedding. Some will shed for the lifetime of the rug.
Creases
If your rug has been rolled or folded for shipping, it may include creases. Creases should disappear within a week or two when the rug is laid out flat. Reverse rolling the rug overnight will help.
Sprouts
Loose fibers, or sprouts, are a normal part of the break-in process of handmade rugs. To remove sprouts, use a small pair of scissors to snip them off even with the pile. Do not pull the fiber out, as this can cause a deterioration of the backing.
Fading
If exposed to direct sunlight, rug colors typically fade over time, even if they are fade resistant.
Wear
As a general rule, rugs of all materials and constructions should be rotated every 3-6 months to balance color and evenly distribute wear.
Recommended Care and Cleaning of rugs: If you spill on a rug, clean it immediately. Once the stain is set in it becomes more difficult to clean. Never rub a spill as it forces the spill deeper into the rug. Blot with a clean white cloth. Luxe Home Company recommends only the use of Woolite or other compatible Carpet Cleaner for the cleaning of all wool only rugs. The cleaning process should involve applying the Woolite with a soft bristle brush, rinsing the water, and extracting with a vacuum or extractor. The rug should then be dried by air or low temperature hair dryer. Luxe Home Company does not guarantee that these methods work and should be used as a guideline only. If in doubt, call a reputable cleaner.