This is a great article we wanted to share from the Kilim Diaries about how to care for those priceless rugs:
Care and Cleaning of your Handmade Rug.
Customers and friends ask me all the time how they should look after and care for their rugs . In fact its easy and rugs do love to be walked on and enjoyed, so once you know a few pointers for keeping your carpets and kilims looking great you can enjoy them even more .
A dirty or stained carpet should be washed with soft natural soap or baby shampoo , rinsed with cold water only and left to dry in the shade .
I find the best way to do this is to vacuum your carpet first and then head for the nearest flat surface like a driveway. Thoroughly wet the carpet ,lather with shampoo with a very soft broom and clean thoroughly on both sides with the water running . Keep the water running over the carpet until it runs clear and then ensure the excess water is out of your carpet before laying it flat in the shade to dry
A rugs worst enemy is damp, so a carpet should never be left damp for a long period nor stored in a damp or humid environments. Neither should you lay a carpet on the floor when it is damp as it needs to breathe so should be well aired and dry outside.
If the colours on your rug were slightly dull add a cap of vinegar to the final rinse to bring back the shine and lustre back to the wool .
To read the entire original article and view a complete checklist click here: https://thekilimdiaries.wordpress.com/2013/04/30/care-cleaning-of-your-handmade-rug/
For a Related article click here: Secrets from a Professional Carpet Cleaner
212 Rug Cleaners 