All rugs are handmade by skilled artisans, or machine woven in a specialty manufacturing facility, and are checked to meet quality standards before shipment. We stand behind our products 100% but understand that there are some common concerns about rugs that may require further explanation. 

COMMON CONCERNS

Design, Color & Size

• Handmade rugs may have slight variation in design, color, and size (3%-5%) which are not considered defects.
• Machine woven rugs may have slight variation in size (up to 2%) which are not considered defects.

Shedding

• Shedding is considered normal and will vary depending on the construction and content. Shedding will usually subside over time, although some rugs may have mild shedding for the lifetime of the rug. It typically takes 20-25 vacuums at a minimum (depending on foot traffic) to curtail shedding.
• Hand tufted rugs will have the highest shedding, while machine woven rugs have the lowest shedding.
• Wool and viscose have the highest shedding, while polypropylene, olefin, polyester, acrylic and nylon have the lowest shedding.

Sprouts

• Sprouting is a normal part of the break-in process where loose yarns are pulled up above the surface of the rug. This is considered normal and will vary depending on the rug construction and content.
• To remove sprouts, use scissors to carefully trim the sprouting yarn even with the pile. 
• Do not pull sprouts out of the rug, as this causes additional sprouting and damage.
• Hand hooked rugs will have the highest sprouting, while machine woven rugs have the lowest.

Creases 

• Because rugs are rolled for shipping and storage, they may have creases or curling when first unrolled.
• Creases should disappear within a week or two when the rug is laid out flat.
• Reverse rolling the rug overnight will help to release creases.

Odor

• Dyes, yarns, backing and packing material all have natural odors that are sometimes magnified after being sealed for shipping and storage.
• Odors should dissipate within a week once the rug is removed from the packaging.

Fading

• The colors in your rug will fade with time, even if the material is fade resistant.
• Direct sunlight will cause faster fading than indirect sunlight.
• Rotating your rug every 3-6 months will distribute the fading more evenly over the rug which reduces the appearance of fading.
• Jute and Wool will fade the fastest.
• Polypropylene and olefin are the most fade resistant materials because they are solution dyed.
• Polyester, acrylic and nylon also fade much more slowly than natural materials.

VACUUMING

• Canister vacuums without beater bars are the optimal type of vacuum to use on rugs.
• Brooms and manual sweepers are also a gentle and effective way to clean rugs.
• If you must use an upright vacuum, use the handheld attachment whenever possible.
• If you are unable to use the handheld attachment on your upright vacuum, turn off the vacuum’s beater bar.
• If the beater bar cannot be turned off, set it on the highest position possible before vacuuming.
• Refrain from running the vacuum over the edges of the rug or the rugs. Instead, use the handheld attachment or carefully place the vacuum on the rug.
• If a rug is reversible remember to vacuum both sides.

CLEANING SPILLS

• Clean spills immediately. Once a stain is set it becomes much more difficult to clean.
• Scrape off any food or debris with a dull instrument.
• Blot the spill with a dry cotton cloth or a clean paper towel.
• Work from the outer edges of the spill towards the center to prevent spreading.
• Never rub a spill as this forces the spill deeper into the rug.
• To remove any residual staining, dampen a cotton cloth or clean paper towel with clean, cold/lukewarm water. Gently blot with the damp cloth and quickly absorb the moisture on the rug.
• Please note that Viscose and Tencel rugs should never be cleaned with any water or liquid.

SPECIAL CARE BASED ON CONSTRUCTION

• Hand Knotted Rugs. Use extra caution and care when cleaning because of the high value of these rugs.
• Hand Woven (Flat Weave). Regularly vacuum both sides of the rug to remove any grit that may cause premature wear.
• Hand Woven (Shag / Texture). Use extra caution and care when vacuuming; alternatively, you can take the rug outside to shake it out.

SPECIAL CARE BASED ON MATERIAL

• Wool / NZ Wool. Mix a small amount of dish soap with cold water to help remove stains; regular vacuuming will help to curtail shedding sooner.
• Polypropylene / Olefin / Polyolefin. Mix a small amount of dish soap with cold water to help remove stains.
• Polyester / Acrylic / Poly Acrylic / Nylon. Mix a small amount of dish soap with cold water to help remove stains.
• Jute / Seagrass / Sisal. Regular vacuuming will help to curtail shedding sooner.
• Viscose / Tencel.  Never clean these rugs with water or any other liquid.