Posted on December 28, 2019 by Behnam Rugs

Vacuuming and Your Fine Handmade Rug

Caring for your fine handmade rug doesn’t have to be difficult, but it is important you do so properly. You need to approach cleaning armed with knowledge about your rug. Depending on the age and materials your rug is made of, you may or may not be able to vacuum your rug with the beater brush.

For example, an antique rug should never be vacuumed with the beater brush in almost any circumstance. However, if your rug is fairly new and has a dense, thick pile, the beater brush setting may be okay. In fact, it may even buff your rug and give it more shine. But choosing to use the beater brush must be done carefully and knowledgeably.

Wool is one of the materials that may become more lustrous with vacuuming. However, not all wool rugs should be vacuumed with the beater brush. Wool rugs should be gently vacuumed two to four times a month, as these rugs can shed easily.

If you have a silk rug, in most cases you should vacuum without the beater brush. Silk fibers are the most delicate of rug materials and can be damaged if you use a beater or roller brush. The pile can even be reduced and the rug itself may suffer damage such as sprouting. Silk rugs may be vacuumed as often as twice per week.

If your rug is not handmade, or if it is made of synthetic fibers, it may be okay to vacuum with the beater brush. Viscose silk, or artificial silk should be vacuumed with suction only.

Once a year, you should vacuum the back of your rug.

Another thing you can do to rejuvenate the pile of your rug is sweeping. This is the safest technique as opposed to vacuuming of any kind. Using a traditional straw broom, sweep in the direction of the nap. To determine the direction of the nap, rub your hand along the length (not the width) of the rug.

You want to sweep in the direction where the pile comes towards you. Don’t sweep against the knap (the direction in which the pile goes away from you). Start sweeping in a corner of the rug, beginning in a corner where you do not end up walking on the swept portions.

If you aren’t sure about your rug, bring it to the experts at Behnam Rugs. We will share our generations of knowledge and expertise to with you, we will be able to let you know the best way to care for your fine rug, and whether vacuuming is recommended.

Never use the beater brush if you are unsure about its construction. This can lead to sprouting, which can be rectified by cutting the knot heads even with the length of the pile. However, this can still mean your pile is depleted, leaving you with a thinner rug although the knot heads will no longer be visible.

It is quite difficult to thicken a rug that has been thinned by sprouting. When in doubt, don’t use the beater brush!

If you have damaged your rug by vacuuming, schedule an appointment for repairs at 972-733-0400.