How to care for a handwoven wool rug

With proper care, the handwoven wool rugs made by Khawachen craftsmen will bring you long-lasting companionship and warmth. Our handmade rugs inherit tenacious character from the highland culture and are easy to care for. High quality materials and traditional weaving techniques make our rugs resistant to moisture, and anti-static. You only need to pay attention to a few points listed below and your rug will be able to thrive for years to come.

Vacuuming

We recommend to vacuum the rug at least once a week. When vacuuming, it is best to to so in the direction of the plush. If necessary, you can turn the rug over to vacuum the underside. Finally, if your rug has tassels, it is best to fold the tassels under the rug when vacuuming to avoid stretching or tearing.

Stain removal

Khawachen selects only the best wool from Northern Tibet, which is naturally resistant to stains to a certain degree. In most cases, if spills are taken care of immediately, they can be removed before the dirt penetrates wool fibres.

  • If you spill juice, tea or other coloured liquid on the rug, you should quickly absorb it using paper towels.
  • If you spill red wine on the rug, pour baking soda over the stain and absorb with a dry towel. Repeat this process until the stain is not visible.
  • For dry stains, damp them first with a cloth or a sponge soaked in cold water. Then, use baking soda or salt to absorb until dry. Once ready, use vacuum cleaner. Do not use bleach or strong detergents, which will discolour the wool.
  • If you break a glass on the rug, you can use wide masking tape to pick up broken shards. If the broken glass is powdery, cotton wool dipped in water will achieve similar result. At the end use a vacuum cleaner to remove any remaining glass.
  • In case of chewing gum stuck to the rug, first press an ice pack on top of the gum so that the gum hardens. When the gum is completely hard, comb it out with a brush or a toothbrush. Be careful not to use chemical diluting agents to remove gum from the rug.
  • Animal urine can be very harmful to a handmade rug, not only because of odour but also because of damage to wool fibres and discolouration. Make sure to absorb it with paper towels as quickly as possible. You can use baking soda to do so. Then rinse the affected area with clean water and dry thoroughly again. For older and more stubborn stains we recommend contacting a professional carpet cleaner service.

Placement Rotation

When deciding on the best spot for your rug, avoid long exposures to direct sunlight to prevent vibrant colours from fading.
After several years of usage, it is best to rotate or move the rug to make sure it is wearing out evenly.
When placing furniture on the rug, use felt pads and try to avoid moving furniture on the rug to avoid wear and tear.

Professional Cleaning

To keep the rug looking as good as new, we recommend hiring a professional cleaning service every year or so for a deep clean.

FAQ

What type of vacuum cleaner to use?

Use only the suction attachment when vacuuming. The beater brush attachment is too rough and it will wear out the wool fibres much quicker.

Can I steam a Tibetan rug?

You should avoid steam cleaning a handmade Tibetan rug. The steam is very hot and is likely to destroy the dye as well as shrink the wool fibres.

Will my wool rug shed?

A bit of shedding is normal and happens more when the rug is new. However, Khawachen rugs are made of only the best quality wool and thus shed much less.