How to Care for Your Carpet/Rugs

Vacuuming: Regularly vacuum high traffic areas, such as hallways, stairs, and entryways to prevent dirt particles from being tracked throughout your entire home. It is recommended to vacuum your whole carpet approximately once a week.

Stains: Immediately blot liquid spills with a towel or cloth until mostly dry. Using a damp, clean cloth/towel blot the stain, do not rub it in. Make sure not to over-wet the carpet as this may cause watermarks. Follow the table for specific stain-treating steps.

**The Carpet and Rug Institute recommends having your carpet professionally cleaned every 12 to 18 months or more frequently if necessary.

To prevent indentations from heavy furniture, we recommend using furniture cups under the legs, as well as shifting your furniture over a few inches every so often to give the carpet a chance to recover. If you need to revive a flattened pile, you can use a warm steam iron over a towel laid on top of the carpet. Do not press the iron down on the towel as this could leave gloss marks on the carpet.

~ Do not use soap, laundry detergent, or dish washing detergent to clean your carpet.

~ Use floor mats in high traffic areas that are susceptible to moisture and/or dirt (i.e. near entrance/exit ways).

~ Avoid dragging heavy furniture over carpet.

Machine Wash Rugs: If your rug is small and the label says “machine washable,” shake the rug outside first and then put it in the washing machine at the recommended temperature. Use warm water (90 to 105 degrees) and a mild detergent. Tumble your rug dry at the lowest heat setting.

Beat Larger Rugs: If your larger rug is easy to pick up, shake it outside first; then put it over a clothesline and beat it. Next, take the rug inside and vacuum it.

Dry Clean: If the label says dry clean only, your best bet may be to roll up your rug and take it to a dry cleaner. Save time and aggravation by calling first to see if the dry cleaner handles rugs — many do not.

Vacuum Area Rugs: Area rugs with fringe require a special vacuum technique. Use gentle suction and start from the center of the carpet, vacuuming toward the fringe and being careful not to catch the strands in the beater bar. Lift the carpet edge to vacuum beneath the fringe.

Care for Oriental, Turkish or Persian Rugs: Clean imported rugs according to the carpet manufacturer’s specifications or use a professional cleaning service. Be gentle with fringe. For heirloom-type rugs, hire professionals.