Care Guide — Nile Rugs
Protect your investment. Follow these expert guidelines to keep your Oriental rug beautiful for generations.
Rotate your rugs frequently to equalise the damaging effects of sunlight. Continual direct exposure will damage a rug over time — use window shades, shutters, or heavy curtains to safeguard your investment.
Fumes from furnaces, stoves, chimneys, and auto exhaust can mix with humidity to form an acid that fades and deteriorates wool. Dampness will rot threads over time. Keep rugs in a dry, well-ventilated environment.
If a rug is cut or torn, have a competent person repair the damage as soon as possible. Holes can expand very quickly and ruin an otherwise repairable carpet. With ordinary use, selvage edges tend to fray — worn edges can easily be re-darned, fringes replaced, and worn areas in the middle can be re-knotted. Even large holes can be restored.
Moths can cause extensive damage to Oriental rugs; however, a carpet in normal use is rarely in danger. Frequent rotation and regular exposure to light and air usually keeps moths at bay. Spray the front and back of a carpet every six months with moth spray to eliminate pests and prevent their return.
Good-quality padding can double the life of an Oriental rug, especially in heavily-trafficked areas. The best padding is made of hair or fibre with a rubberised surface to prevent moving and wrinkling. Avoid synthetic pads that resemble rubber — they turn into an abrasive powder after several years.
The beauty and life of Oriental rugs are vitally dependent on their cleanliness. Lack of maintenance will contribute to loss in the potential investment.
Sweep the rug with a broom at least once a week. This removes loose soil and brings out its natural sheen.
One of the best methods for cleaning a rug. Beat it several times on each side, always in dry weather, to dislodge embedded dirt and dust.
Use a low suction level and a new bag. Never vacuum against the nap — run your hand from fringe to fringe to find the direction. Avoid vacuuming fringes as powerful suction can tear them.
Wash Oriental rugs every three to five years depending on use. Steam-cleaning or chemicals remove natural oils from the wool, making pile brittle. Do not submerge unless absolutely necessary — surface cleaning is usually all that is required.
Revive carpet pile crushed by heavy furniture by brushing the indented area with a soft brush. Moisten lightly with a spray bottle, then brush again to restore the pile.
Wrap in fabric — never plastic, as a rug needs to breathe. Roll and store with paradichlorobenzene crystals to deter moths. Never lay flat on other rugs. Avoid damp, humid, hot, or poorly ventilated storage areas, as these will rot or dry out the fibres.
Act immediately on spills. If you act right away, you can prevent virtually any spill from becoming a permanent stain.
Need professional rug care advice?
Our team is happy to guide you on cleaning, repairs, and storage.
Hand-knotted Persian, Afghan, and Kilim rugs curated for timeless interiors in New Zealand.
