Karastan Rug Care starts here
While Karastan rugs appear delicate, they are very durable. They are made of the finest man-made and natural fibers available. Most are 100 percent wool, which is easy to clean and care for. By following some general cleaning guidelines and maintenance, one can enjoy a Karastan rug for years.
Items Not Always Taken Into Consideration
A pad should be placed under the rug. The pad prevents sliding which causes premature wear and helps retain the original appearance for a longer time. Rotate the rug periodically to prevent the effects of sunlight patterns and set traffic.
When the appearance of the rug is dirty, or the Karastan rug is stained, have professionals with experience handle this type of quality rug. Expert technicians know the cleaning tools to use, and the correct order of use for optimum removal of stains.
The age of a stain is taken into account when choosing the proper cleaning method.
An effective and consistent maintenance regime can extend the life of a rug dramatically. Factors affecting the appearance of a rug include yarn fibers, pattern, color, and maintenance.
The quality of maintenance depends on who does the work. Karastan rugs are designed to be easily maintained, but without maintenance they will not stay clean.
Fundamental Concepts of Effective Maintenance
•Preventative Maintenance – Keeping dirt out of a building is easier and cheaper than removing it.
• Vacuum – Vacuuming is an essential part of the maintenance program. Remove dust and everyday dirt by vacuuming. Do not vacuum the fringe area. The fringe can be caught and pulled resulting in separation. Vacuum two or three times each week to remove accumulated fuzz from the rug surface. Fuzz is normal and does not shorten the rug’s life. It is loose fibers that were created during the process of weaving. After a year, fuzz is less of a problem. The number of times each week a rug needs to be vacuumed then depends on the amount of traffic. Highly traveled areas may require daily vacuuming.
•Spot Removal – Spots are bound to happen, but they need not be permanent. The lanolin in wool causes liquid spills to be shed. Stain proof rugs do not exist. Acting quickly offers the best chance of preventing stains. Speed is at the essence of dealing with stains and spills that occur. Scoop up solids immediately. Blot instead of using a scrubbing motion. Blot the liquids as soon as possible. Use paper towels or the like to absorb liquids. Replace saturated blotting materials.
• Interim Cleaning – Schedule professional rug cleaners to pile lift, vacuum, remove spots, and perform a low moisture cleaning to retain the rug’s appearance and improve its performance.
•Deep Cleaning – Even regularly scheduled maintenance leaves some residue behind. Periodically, a deep restorative cleaning that uses hot water extraction is most effective in the removal of abrasive embedded soil.
Consequences of DIY
Valuable rugs have been ruined by well-intentioned owners or housekeepers. They have been tossed in washing machines, sent to local dry-cleaners or subjected to in-home steam cleaning. The results have been heartbreaking. Trust your rugs to the care of professionals.