How to care for wool and Persian rugs
A carpet shop's advice on vacuuming, rotating, storing and spot-cleaning wool, Persian, oriental and Chinese rugs, and how to keep moths and mould away.
A good wool rug is very durable. Plenty of rugs in use today are decades old, or even older. Hong Kong's climate is hard on them, though, so a little regular care goes a long way.
Vacuum gently and regularly
Grit is the enemy. It sits at the base of the pile and cuts into fibres as people walk on it.
- Use suction only, or lift the beater bar, especially on hand-knotted rugs
- Go in the direction of the pile, which you can find by running your hand across it. It feels smooth one way and rough the other
- Avoid the fringe, since a vacuum can pull at it and tear it
- Do the back of the rug occasionally, too
Rotate it
Turn the rug end to end once or twice a year. That evens out the wear and helps limit uneven fading from sunlight, especially in bright rooms.
Use a rug pad
A good pad reduces wear, stops slipping and lets some air circulate underneath. In Hong Kong, that matters on stone or tile floors, which can get wet with condensation in spring.
Dealing with spills
- Blot immediately with a white cloth. Don't rub.
- Use cool water, with only a little very mild detergent if you need it, and test first in a hidden spot.
- Blot dry and keep the air moving.
- Avoid bleach, hot water and strong household products.
If the colour starts to transfer to your cloth, stop right away. For general stain advice, see how to remove carpet stains.
Humidity and mould
Wool can absorb a lot of moisture from the air. In Hong Kong's most humid months, run air-conditioning or a dehumidifier, and lift the rug every so often to check the back and the floor beneath it. If it smells musty, see carpet mould and humidity in Hong Kong.
Moths
Clothes moth larvae eat wool. They like dark, undisturbed places, such as under sofas and beds, and at the edges of rugs. Watch out for:
- Bare patches or short, cropped areas in the pile
- Fine webbing or small cases
- Tiny moths flying around
Vacuum under furniture regularly and move it occasionally. If you find moths, treat the problem promptly, since an infestation can spread to other wool items. Clean and dry a rug before storing it, because moths are drawn to soiled wool.
Storing a rug
- Clean it first, and make sure it's completely dry
- Roll it, don't fold it, because folding can crack the foundation
- Wrap it in breathable cloth or paper, not plastic, which can trap moisture
- Store it somewhere dry and off the floor
- Check it every few months, particularly through spring
Chinese, Persian and other hand-made rugs
Age, dyes, and repairs matter more than where a rug comes from. Older rugs can have fragile foundations, and some dyes bleed. Chinese rugs often have deep, sculpted pile that holds soil and takes a long time to dry. Silk rugs and those made of "art silk" (viscose) are especially delicate and can be permanently damaged by water.
When to have it cleaned
For a rug in regular use, professional cleaning every few years is a typical interval, and more often for rugs in busy rooms or homes with pets. Signs include dull colours, dust when you tap or lift the rug, and a stale smell.
Tell any cleaner what you know about the rug, and ask how they test for colour stability and how they'd dry it. Read about how we clean rugs, and send us photos of the front and back if you'd like our opinion.
