Care & Maintenance
Rug Care Guide South Africa
A quality rug is an investment that lasts decades with the right care. Here's exactly how to vacuum, treat spills, remove stains, deep clean and dry your rug — plus material-specific advice for wool, synthetic, viscose and Persian rugs.
Everyday
Routine Care & Maintenance
Most of a rug's lifespan comes down to simple, regular upkeep — not deep cleaning. Build these habits in:
- Vacuum once or twice a week (more in high-traffic areas) to lift grit before it grinds into the fibres. Use reduced suction and no rotating beater bar on high-pile, shaggy or delicate rugs.
- Rotate the rug 180° every few months so wear and sun fading stay even.
- Use a rug pad underneath — it stops slipping, reduces wear, adds cushioning and improves airflow.
- Shake or beat smaller rugs outdoors occasionally to release deep dust.
- Lift, don't drag, furniture across a rug, and use coasters under heavy legs to prevent permanent dents.
- Keep it out of constant direct sun where possible, or rotate to even out any fading.
Act Fast
How to Treat a Fresh Spill
Speed is everything — a fresh spill is a quick fix, a dried one is a stain. Follow these four steps:
Lift solids
Scoop or scrape solids off the surface with a spoon, working toward the centre so you don't spread them.
Blot, don't rub
Press a clean white cloth on the spill to absorb liquid. Blot from the outside in. Rubbing drives it deeper.
Treat gently
Apply a little lukewarm water with mild pH-neutral detergent and blot. Test on a hidden corner first.
Rinse & dry
Blot with clean water to lift the detergent, then dry thoroughly with good airflow.
Reference
Rug Stain-Removal Chart
Treat every stain while fresh, blot from the outside in, and rinse and dry afterwards. Spot-test first.
| Stain | First step | Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Red wine | Blot immediately | Soda water, or lukewarm water + mild detergent; blot until lifted |
| Coffee / tea | Blot | Lukewarm water + mild detergent; rinse and blot dry |
| Blood | Use COLD water only | Cold water + a little salt; never use warm water (it sets blood) |
| Grease / oil | Lift excess | Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda or cornflour to absorb, vacuum, then mild detergent |
| Ink | Blot | Dab with a little surgical/rubbing alcohol on a cloth; blot, don't spread |
| Candle wax | Harden it | Chill with ice, scrape off; place brown paper over residue and warm with an iron to absorb |
| Chewing gum | Harden it | Press with ice until brittle, then scrape away gently |
| Mud | Let it dry fully | Vacuum the dried mud, then treat any mark with mild detergent |
| Pet urine | Blot immediately | Water + mild detergent, then a water + white vinegar rinse to neutralise odour; dry well |
| Vomit | Remove solids | Mild detergent solution, then a vinegar-water rinse to deodorise |
| Chocolate | Scrape excess | Lukewarm water + mild detergent; blot until clear |
| Beer / soft drink | Blot | Lukewarm water + mild detergent; rinse and blot dry |
| Make-up / lipstick | Lift excess | Dab with a little surgical alcohol or dry-cleaning solvent; blot |
| Nail polish | Blot | Small amount of acetone-free remover on a cloth; test first — avoid on wool/viscose |
Once or Twice a Year
Deep-Cleaning Methods
Beyond routine care, a rug benefits from a deeper clean every 12–18 months (yearly for busy or pet households). Common methods:
Absorbent powder
A dry compound is worked into the pile, absorbs dirt, then is vacuumed out. Low-moisture and gentle — good for rugs that shouldn't get wet.
Shampoo / foam
A pH-neutral rug shampoo or aerosol foam is applied, agitated lightly and extracted. Use neutral-pH products only and never over-wet.
Spray injection-extraction (“steam cleaning”)
Cleaning solution is injected and immediately vacuumed back out with the dirt. Effective on synthetics; not suitable for many wool, viscose or antique rugs.
Professional / factory cleaning
For wool, Persian, viscose, silk and valuable rugs, professional immersion cleaning is safest — controlled washing, rinsing and drying that protects the fibres and colours.
Know Your Rug
Care by Material
Different fibres need different handling. Here's how to look after each type we sell:
| Material | How to care for it |
|---|---|
| Wool | Naturally stain-resistant and hard-wearing. Vacuum regularly, blot spills fast, never soak. Use only neutral-pH cleaners; professional clean every 1–2 years. Expect light shedding when new. |
| Polypropylene / polyester (heat-set) | The easiest to live with. Stain-resistant and water-tolerant — most spills clean up with water and mild detergent. Great for high-traffic, pet and kid homes. |
| Viscose / art silk | Soft and lustrous but very water-sensitive. Blot dry only, avoid water and solvents, and use a professional for anything beyond a tiny spot. Keep off damp areas. |
| Natural fibres (jute / cotton) | Vacuum gently and keep dry — they don't like moisture. Blot spills quickly; avoid soaking, which can cause browning or shrinkage. |
| Persian & Oriental (hand-knotted wool/cotton/silk) | Heirloom pieces — vacuum without a beater bar, rotate regularly, keep out of harsh sun, and use specialist hand-cleaning only. See below. |
Persian & Oriental rug care
Hand-knotted Persian and Oriental rugs can last generations with the right care. Vacuum gently in the direction of the pile (no rotating brush), rotate the rug regularly for even wear, and protect it from prolonged direct sunlight. Treat spills immediately by blotting — never rub a hand-knotted pile. For deep cleaning, always use a specialist who hand-washes Oriental rugs; harsh chemicals, machine cleaning and over-wetting can damage the foundation, dyes and fringes. Explore our Persian & Oriental collection.
Don't Skip This
Drying Your Rug Properly
Incomplete drying is the leading cause of musty smells, mildew and backing damage after cleaning. Do it right:
- Dry the rug flat with strong airflow — a fan and open windows speed it up.
- Make sure both the pile and the backing are completely dry before laying it down again.
- A little indirect sun helps, but avoid long periods in direct sunlight, which fades colours.
- Don't put furniture back until the rug is 100% dry, or you may trap moisture and cause marks.
Common Mistakes
What to Avoid
- Rubbing spills — it forces the stain deeper and frays the pile. Always blot.
- Over-wetting — too much water risks shrinkage, browning, mildew and backing damage.
- Harsh chemicals & bleach — they strip colour and weaken fibres. Use neutral-pH products.
- Hot water on blood or protein stains — it sets them. Use cold water.
- Skipping the spot-test — always test any cleaner on a hidden corner first.
- A beater bar on delicate or high-pile rugs — it pulls fibres; use suction only.
Questions
Rug Care FAQ
How often should I clean my rug?
Can I clean my rug with water?
How do I get red wine out of a rug?
Why is my new rug shedding?
How do I dry a rug after cleaning?
Looked after, a rug lasts a lifetime
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