Caring for Your Handmade Rug: What You Need to Know?
Loose Threads — What Are They and What Should You Do?
Over time, you may notice occasional loose threads on the surface of your handmade rug. Don’t worry — this is entirely normal.
In fact, loose threads or uneven strands (commonly known in the rug world as “sprouting” or “pilling”) are a natural characteristic of high-quality hand-knotted rugs. These strands may become visible throughout the life of your rug and are often the result of threads that were not completely trimmed and became embedded in the pile.
✨ Important: Never pull these threads. Tugging on them can damage the surrounding knots or cause threads to unravel. Instead, gently snip any visible loose yarn with small, sharp scissors — flush to the surface — or consult a rug specialist.
Rotate Your Rug Regularly
Rotation is a simple yet essential part of rug care. It ensures that your rug wears evenly and maintains its color and integrity for decades to come.
- Continuous sunlight exposure — even indirect light — can fade dyes over time.
- Use window treatments such as shades or curtains to protect your rug from excessive UV exposure.
- Rotation helps balance out both wear and color changes caused by foot traffic and sunlight.
- Faded areas are often hidden by dirt and may only appear after cleaning — so prevention is key.
🔄 Tip: Rotate your rug every 6 to 12 months for best results.
Avoid Moths and Moisture
Wool rugs are made from organic fibers, which can attract moths if left undisturbed for long periods.
- Moths and their larvae feed on both the pile and the knots at the back of your rug, potentially causing serious damage.
- Areas under furniture or in low-traffic zones are especially vulnerable.
To prevent moth damage:
- Vacuum regularly, especially in hidden or undisturbed areas.
- Move your rug slightly from time to time to expose new areas to air and light.
- Spray your rug with a non-toxic moth repellent every six months — always follow the label instructions carefully.
💡 Pro Tip: Sunlight, air, and activity are your best defenses against moths.
Furniture Marks — How to Revive Crushed Pile
Heavy furniture can compress the pile of your rug over time, leaving visible indentations.
- To restore the pile, gently brush the affected area with a soft brush or your hand.
- Over time, the wool will naturally rebound, especially with light movement and air exposure.
❗ Never wet your rug to fix dents or marks — moisture can permanently damage the fibers and dyes.
Leave Cleaning to the Experts
Handmade rugs are delicate works of art and require proper care. While regular vacuuming is safe (with gentle settings), deep cleaning should always be done by a professional rug cleaner with experience handling natural fibers and traditional weaves.
Attempting to wash or soak the rug yourself — even with mild products — may result in shrinkage, color bleeding, or structural damage that cannot be reversed.
