Rug Care Guide

A well-cared-for rug doesn't just last longer — it looks better every year. A few simple habits will keep your Rugmere piece grounding your room for decades.

Everyday care

• Vacuum weekly on a low-power setting with the beater bar switched off. High-suction beater bars pull at the pile and can loosen fibers over time.
• Rotate your rug every 3–6 months so sunlight and foot traffic wear evenly.
• Use a rug pad. It prevents slipping, protects both rug and floor, and adds years to the weave. We recommend one for every hard-floor placement.
• Shake out doormats weekly and hose them down monthly during muddy seasons.

Spills happen — act fast

1. Blot, never rub. Press a clean, dry white cloth onto the spill and let it absorb. Rubbing pushes the stain deeper into the pile.
2. Work from the outside of the stain inward to keep it from spreading.
3. For stubborn spots, mix a small amount of mild dish soap with cold water, dab gently, then blot dry with a fresh cloth.
4. Never use bleach, ammonia, or "oxi" cleaners — they strip color and damage fibers.

Care by material

Chenille & printed rugs

Spot-clean with cold water and mild soap. The printed construction holds its pattern beautifully — just keep it away from steam cleaners, which can loosen the backing.

Washable rugs

The easy one. Slip the cover off, machine wash cold on the gentle cycle with mild detergent, and air dry flat. Skip the dryer, bleach, and fabric softener. It comes back looking freshly unrolled.

Jute & natural fibers

Natural fibers dislike water — blot moisture immediately and dry with a hair dryer on cool if needed. Vacuum regularly, as plant fibers shed a little at first (this is normal and settles within a few weeks). Keep jute out of bathrooms and covered-porch humidity.

Outdoor rugs

Built for abuse. Hose them down, scrub with mild soap and a soft brush, and let them dry in the sun. To prevent mildew underneath, lift and dry the rug after heavy rain, and store rolled in a dry spot over winter.

Coir & rubber doormats

Shake vigorously or vacuum on high traffic weeks. Spot-clean coir with a stiff dry brush — avoid soaking, which weakens the fibers.

A note on shedding & sprouting

New rugs — especially natural fibers — may shed loose fibers or "sprout" a loop above the pile in their first weeks. Never pull a sprout; snip it level with scissors. Shedding settles with regular gentle vacuuming.

Professional cleaning

For deep stains, pet accidents that have set, or an every-few-years refresh, we recommend professional rug cleaning — it's far gentler than rented carpet machines, which oversaturate the pile.

Questions about your specific rug? Email help@rugmere.com with your order number and we'll send care instructions tailored to its exact weave.