A machine-made rug made from synthetic fibres and a hand-knotted Persian rug may look similar at first glance – but their construction is fundamentally different. In a hand-knotted rug, every single knot is tied by hand around the warp threads. A rug of متوسط fineness contains several hundred thousand such knots, which together with the warp and weft form a living fabric of natural fibres.

This construction is remarkably robust – hand-knotted rugs are among the most durable floor coverings of all. However, they react differently to cleaning methods than industrially made products: harsh chemicals, high heat and mechanical force can damage natural fibres and natural dyes. That is why the most important rule of rug care is this: care tips for synthetic rugs cannot simply be applied to hand-knotted wool or silk.

Cotton forms the foundation of most hand-knotted rugs, making up the warp and weft, while in handwoven rugs such as the Kilim, it is often visible in the weave alongside wool. Flatweaves have no pile: the pattern is woven directly into the fabric, making the rug thinner and lighter. This makes Kilims easy to care for – many can be used on both sides and turned regularly, which helps distribute wear evenly. At the same time, they lack the protective pile layer, which means pointed furniture legs and concentrated pressure put more strain on flatweaves than on a pile rug.

• Use a smooth floor nozzle without a rotating brush.
  Turbo brushes and brush rollers pull at the fibres, can loosen knots and roughen the pile.
• Vacuum in the direction of the pile.
  You can tell the pile direction by running your hand over the rug: In one direction it feels smooth, while against the pile it feels rougher.
• Avoid vacuuming the fringes.
  The fringes are the ends of the warp threads and form the supporting structure of the rug. If they are sucked in, they can tear out and damage the weave.
• Vacuum the back as well once or twice a year.
  This removes sand and dust that have worked their way down through the pile.

Note: Take care when using robot vacuum cleaners: models with rotating brushes can catch the fringes and damage the pile. If you use a robot vacuum cleaner, it should avoid the fringe areas.

Hardly any rug is subjected to equal wear across its entire surface: foot traffic, furniture and sunlight all affect specific areas. You should therefore rotate your rug by 180 degrees roughly every six to twelve months. This helps distribute wear and light exposure evenly, allowing the rug to age harmoniously – a key factor in preserving its value.

A non-slip underlay serves several purposes at once: it prevents slipping and trip-causing wrinkles, cushions foot traffic, protects the knot structure and at the same time safeguards the floor underneath. Especially on smooth floors and with smaller rugs, it is one of the simplest and most effective care measures.

When it comes to stains, speed of reaction determines the result. A fresh stain can usually be removed quite easily, while a dried-in stain is much harder to deal with. Remember these four basic rules:

• Act immediately. The sooner you respond, the less the liquid will soak into the fibres.
• Blot, don’t rub. Absorb liquid with a clean white cotton cloth or kitchen paper. Rubbing pushes the stain deeper into the pile and can cause wool to felt.
• Work from the outside inwards so the stain does not spread.
• Use cold or lukewarm water – never hot. Heat sets many stains and damages the fibres.

First carefully lift off any solid residue, such as food remains, with a spoon or the back of a knife. You can then treat the stain with a slightly damp cloth – use it sparingly so the foundation does not become soaked. Afterwards, allow the area to air dry completely, and do not use a hairdryer on a hot setting.

As important as day-to-day care is, a hand-knotted rug needs a thorough wash from time to time to remove dust, skin flakes and embedded dirt from deep within the pile. As a rule of thumb, this should be done roughly every three to five years depending on wear, more often for heavily used rugs and less often for those with light foot traffic.

The right method is professional hand washing at a specialist rug cleaning company: using plenty of water, mild specialist products, gentle mechanical treatment and controlled drying. This is fundamentally different from dry cleaning, which uses solvents and is unsuitable for hand-knotted rugs. A professional wash visibly refreshes the colours, restores the wool’s natural resilience and is also the best opportunity to have minor damage to fringes and edges inspected and repaired before it turns into major damage.

Whether you’re moving house, renovating or changing things seasonally, if you won’t be using a rug for a longer period, it should be stored carefully:

• Clean it first: Only store a clean rug. Dirt attracts pests, and stains can set over the course of months.
• Roll it, never fold it: Folds cause permanent creases and can break the foundation weave. Roll the rug tightly, usually with the pile facing inwards for wool rugs.
• Secure with cotton tape: Do not use adhesive tape, as it can leave residue.
• Use breathable wrapping: A cotton cloth or special rug paper protects against dust. Do not use plastic sheeting – moisture can build up underneath, creating a risk of mould.
• Add moth protection: Check the rug every few months.
• Store in a dry, ventilated place: Not in a damp cellar or a hot loft. Store the rolled rug flat on a level surface or upright – but never bent or under heavy weight.

• Abrash: Subtle colour variations within one area of colour occur when wool from different dye baths has been used. Abrash is regarded as a hallmark of authenticity in handmade rugs and makes each piece unique.
• Initial shedding: New wool rugs may shed loose fibres from production at first. This is harmless and will reduce with regular, gentle vacuuming.
• Loose threads: If individual longer threads are sticking out of the pile, simply trim them with scissors level with the pile. Never pull them – the thread is connected to the weave.