Rug Care

OPENING YOUR NEW RUG

Before you unpack your rug, always check the packaging for any signs of damage which may have resulted in damage to your new rug. If you do find any damage please flag up immediately before opening and if a member of our team is not present, please photograph for insurance purposes.

Always take great care when cutting the cable tie at the end of the parcel and remove the rug carefully ensuring the packaging is kept in tact in case you need to return or exchange your rug. NEVER cut through the packaging with a knife as this could cause damage to your new rug.

 

PRESSURE MARKS AND CREASES

On opening your rug for the first time, you may have creases and what appear to be darker or lighter bands running across the rug. If the creases are severe roll the rug with the pile facing outwards and leave in a warm area for a couple of hours, prior to laying on the floor. The creases may take up to a couple of weeks to drop out depending on the temperature of your room, amount of traffic and frequency of vacuuming. Sometimes a single line can be seen at only one edge of the rug where the edge of the rug has distorted the pile, this will disappear with time, accelerated with more frequent vacuuming or brushing.


ODOUR

Smells are caused by dyes, yarns, adhesives and shipping for long distances in sealed packaging.
Rugs transported by sea are particularly susceptible to having a strong musty or damp odour when first opened.
Most odours will vanish within a week once the rug is removed from its packaging and aired sufficiently.
Proprietary fabric sprays and odour removers can be very effective way of speeding up the process.
Always spray the back of the rug and not the pile surface.

 

ANTISLIP RUG UNDERLAY

We recommend the use of Tee baud anti-slip underlay with your rug. This reduces the potential for trip hazards by minimising slippage. It will prevent rucking, makes vacuuming easier, feels better to walk on, provides heat insulation, improves sound dampening, and reduces any possibility of colour transfer from your rug to the floor surface beneath.
See our Teebaud Anti-slip Underlay for more details.

 

GENERAL MAINTENANCE

Avoid your rug (and floors) getting dirty by protecting entrances to your home with dedicated barrier mats.
Consider a “no shoes ” policy in your home.
If possible rotate your rug periodically to distribute the areas of heavy traffic.
Never place rugs on damp or wet floors
Some rugs have manufacturers care labels attached to the back, always read and follow the supplier’s guidelines and recommendations.

 

VACUUMING - BRUSHING

We recommend a suction-only type of vacuum cleaner
Rotating brushes can damage fibres and the edges of your rug.
Regularly vacuuming your rug is fundamental in prolonging the life, preventing premature wear and ensuring your rug retains its appearance.
The heavier the traffic area the more frequently it should be vacuumed.

 


SPILLS AND CLEANING TIPS

If spillages do occur, always act immediately by carefully absorbing any liquids before they penetrate deep into the yarns.
Firstly, you should NEVER RUB OR OVERWET the surface of a rug.
We would always recommend using a damp, neutral coloured cotton cloth which should be carefully laid on top of the spillage and left to absorb.
Specialist cleaning companies will have the experience and knowledge to deal with any stubborn stains.
Visit James.eu for products and advice on cleaning stains and dealing with spillages.

 

PILE SHEDDING - FLUFFING

It is completely normal for cut pile rugs and carpets to shed excess fibres when new, the loose fibres are created during production when spun yarn is cut for tuft formation. These fibres fall into the pile and appear as "fluff", shedding will eventually subside in time. The time will be dependant on the amount of maintenance and traffic the rug is subjected to. A daily maintenance regime when the rug is new will reduce the amount of fluff on the surface of the pile and also help with long term appearance. Although the amount of fluff removed may seem excessive the fibres are a very small fraction of the total fibre contained in the rug, removal of these loose fibres will not be detrimental to rug in any way. Shedding is not the same as sprouting, see below for details.

 

SPROUTING TUFTS - LONG THREADS- HIGH LOOPS

Especially noticeable on hand-tufted rugs, long threads, tufts or high loops may appear above the pile surface, these can be trimmed to the pile height with a sharp pair of scissors without being detrimental to the appearance or wear ability of the rug in anyway whatsoever. Occasionally the odd tuft may come loose from the pile surface on hand tufted products this is quite normal when new and will not be detrimental to the rug in any way.