Carpet Care

Authentic handmade rugs are known for their durability and long life. Careful rug care and occasional cleaning add years to their beauty and utility.

It is recommended that you vacuum your carpet frequently (1-2 times a week) to remove dirt and grime that over time rubs and wears down the carpet fibers. Use a vacuum cleaner without fear and remember with your final movement to lay the pile again in the right direction, avoiding the fringes.

Once a year it is good to wipe the reverse side of the carpet as well (you can also leave the carpet laid upside down for a few days so that all the trapped dust falls to the floor).

Protect rugs from fading by keeping curtains drawn, periodically reorienting the rug to reduce wear in specific areas.
Also avoid placing pots on or next to carpets to avoid accidents as well as high humidity build-up which can damage your carpets. For the same reason, pay attention to radiators located near them.
At the same time, avoid as much as possible the placement of heavy objects, because they make the pile sit and leave marks (which, of course, come back in the case that the carpet is made of natural fibers, such as wool and animal silk).

Important in carpet care, before storing your carpets for the summer, is to turn them upside down and walk on them as you would0 do on the pile side. In this way – after a week – much of the dust that has entered their base will fall and they will be cleaned better afterwards. With the vacuum cleaner you absorb the dust that fell on the floor as well as that which is on the carpet pile.

Many housewives, before storing their carpets, shake them on the terrace of their house. Not only is this not necessary, if the carpet is vacuumed well and often, but the warps and wefts of the carpet can be damaged by the strong impacts. On silk/all-silk carpets – which are more delicate – it is best to use a simple vacuum cleaner without a rotating brush.

You can then refresh your carpets with vinegar water. White vinegar will disinfect them superficially, remove dust and revive their colors. The vinegar/water ratio is 1/3 and is applied with a “pass” of a cloth or soft brush – which you have shaken well – in the direction of the pile of the carpet. Dry your carpet in a shady and cool place and not under the sun because the colors will change.

Make sure at the end of this process that you have used enough water so that the carpet is only slightly and superficially wet and under no circumstances wet deep down.

*(Always before doing anything test the fastness of the colors on a small spot – edge of the carpet).

If you notice loose yarn ends sticking out of the carpet surface don’t try to pull them out, just cut them with scissors flush with the surface of the pile.

If you want to clean only the fringes of your carpet, make it a roll leaving it a little unrolled and place it somewhere high (edge ​​of a counter – table) with the fringes hanging freely outside of it.

Washing the fringes is done carefully only in their area, without wetting the pile of the carpet with the help of a mild detergent for woolen clothes using a soft brush. A very good rinsing of the detergent and good drying before storage is recommended.

Do not attempt to bleach them with chemicals (bleach, chlorine-based bleaches) as you may “burn” them and rot. It is something that can be repaired but of course it costs quite a lot, especially in the case of handmade rugs.

• First make sure the carpet is completely dry.
• Do the roll, always in the direction of the pile and use anti-rust leaflets to protect the carpet.
• Roll the carpet in a rough cotton sheet or canvas bag, re-attaching anti-rust leaflets to both ends of the roll. If nylon is used, make a few small holes along the length to allow the carpet to ventilate.
• The carpet roll should not be placed vertically but horizontally so that its edges do not crumple from the weight. It is good to place it at some height from the floor (shelf) to protect it in case of flooding.
• Make sure the storage area is cool, ventilated and free

*It is customary to leave a carpet folded in the shape of a large package for storage. If left folded for more than 2 weeks, fold marks will be visible on the carpet. It is also possible, with the pressure it receives due to the folding, that the warp which is the base of the carpet is cut and this requires a special repair
humidity.

The Kachramanoglou Rugs company recommends deep cleaning of your carpets 1-2 times every 5 years, depending on the carpet and use, and only by specialized carpet cleaners.

It is recommended to have your carpets taken care of by a professional not only because you don’t know the specific method that each one requires, but also because you will not be able to rinse, drain and dry them properly resulting in the possibility of your carpets overflowing, to discolor or even fade.

Dealing with stains immediately It is important to act quickly in the event of a stain. Don’t let it soak and dry deep into your carpet. The sooner you dissolve it, the easier it will be to remove most of it and prevent any discoloration or permanent damage.

Good to have in your home, white vinegar, pure gasoline, white alcohol, neutral detergent and soda. Absorbent cloths or papers will help you absorb the wet part of the stain at first.

Important in carpet care, before anything make sure the colors won’t fade by soaking a white cloth and rubbing it on the edge of your carpet. If the carpet becomes stained, contact a specialist carpet cleaner. If the cloth does not stain, begin cleaning from the outer edge of the stain toward the center of the stain and toward the pile of the carpet. Every cleaning attempt must be followed by an absorbent cloth that will absorb the moisture from the stain. Do not soak the stained area too much. At the end, dry on the spot with the hair dryer. Remember the sequence: application of solution – absorbent cloth for moisture.

For wet stains absorb immediately by dabbing with a clean dry cloth or vetex without rubbing (as it expands) and repeat with a damp cloth.
If the stain persists, use baking soda for liquid dyes (whiskey, coke, red wine) and detergent (e.g. green dishwashing detergent using only the foam) for greasy ones. Lay the pile again in the right direction and, if necessary, dry it with a hair dryer.
For more solid stains, remove them first with a spoon and then follow the above procedure.
In case you do not realize that something has fallen on your carpet and you find a stain much later, when it has already dried, use a mild detergent for woolen clothes or a special carpet shampoo and avoid strong detergents.