Rayon is a manufactured regenerated cellulose fiber which takes to dyes very easily. Sometimes called faux silk the high sheen quality of rayon can be used to highlight select areas in rugs.
Polyester is an excellent choice as a carpet fiber because it is inherently stain resistant and is very soft.
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.
Rayon rugs are constructed of wood cellulose fibers, which absorb moisture easily, therefore cleaning is not advised.
If cleaning should become necessary, dry cleaning is preferable. However, always check with the dry cleaner since some harsh chemicals may cause discoloration to the fibers.
Do not spot clean with water as cellulose fibers will turn yellow or discolor when wet and may stain after cleaning.
Lighter colors are more susceptible to staining and large, solid areas will show staining more easily.
Avoid placing rayon rugs in high-traffic areas to minimize the need for cleaning.
